Back to The
Hub
Puzzles and Games
The High-Stakes Haul: A Dump Truck Challenge
At the Iron Ridge Mining Site, experienced haul truck operator Lisa “Loadmaster” Carter is racing against the clock. The mine has 15,000 tons of high-value ore that must be transported to the processing plant 10 miles away before the end of the shift. Any delay could cost thousands in lost production!
Lisa’s heavy-duty CAT 797F Dump Truck—one of the largest in the world—can haul 400 tons per trip and averages 35 miles per hour on open haul roads.
But there’s a twist:
- Refueling Limit – The truck needs a 30-minute refueling stop every 100 miles, adding to the time calculations.
- Load/Unload Time – Each trip requires 15 minutes to load and 10 minutes to unload at the processing plant.
- Road Safety – The mine’s steep terrain forces Lisa to slow down to 25 mph for the first 2 miles, making precise timing essential.
- Shift Deadline – Lisa has 7 hours left in her shift—will she haul all the ore before time runs out?
The Questions:
- How many total trips will Lisa need to move all 15,000 tons of ore?
- What is the total time required for each round-trip haul?
- Will Lisa complete the job before the shift ends?
- If she loses 45 minutes due to road delays, how does this affect her ability to finish on time?
The mine is counting on Lisa’s expertise—can she deliver every last ton before the buzzer sounds?
