HOWO 371 Used Trucks — WD615.47 Engine, 6x4 & 8x4 Dump and Tractor

What Does "HOWO 371" Actually Mean?

Buyers often ask whether 371 is a model name or a generation code. It is neither — it is the engine output. The Sinotruk WD615.47 is a 9.726-litre, in-line six-cylinder turbocharged diesel that Sinotruk developed in cooperation with MAN. It produces 371 HP (273 kW) and has been fitted to HOWO trucks since the early 2000s across multiple body generations, most commonly the HOWO-A7 and HOWO-7 platforms.

The WD615 family became the default engine for the Chinese heavy-truck export market because spare parts are manufactured by dozens of independent suppliers across China and stockists exist in Nairobi, Lagos, Johannesburg, Dubai, and Baghdad. A buyer in a secondary city who breaks a fuel injector or an oil seal on a sinotruk howo 371 can usually source the part locally within 24–48 hours — a practical advantage that imported European or Japanese alternatives cannot match at the same cost level.

The A7, NX, and TX badges refer to cab styling generations, not to different engines. The WD615.47 at 371 HP runs through all of them.

Available Configurations: 6x4 Dump, 8x4 Dump, and 6x4 Tractor

The howo 371 platform is available in three working configurations at Sigma:

• 6x4 dump truck — overall dimensions approximately 8.5 × 2.55 × 3.2 m; cargo box 5.8 × 2.55 × 1.7 m. Suited to shorter haul cycles, urban construction sites, and roads where overall vehicle length is restricted. Browse our howo dump truck range for related listings.
• 8x4 dump truck — overall dimensions approximately 11 × 2.55 × 3.2 m; cargo box 7.6 × 2.5 × 1.7 m. Higher payload capacity for quarrying, mining overburden, and bulk sand or aggregate. See our 8x4 dump truck page for more detail.
• 6x4 tractor head — the same WD615.47 and HW19710 driveline in a tractor configuration, pulling a semi-trailer. Common for port haulage, long-distance dry freight, and container movements. More on our howo tractor head page.

All three variants ride on 12R22.5 tyres and share the same HW19710 10-speed gearbox, which means a driver trained on one body type can operate the others without retraining.

Why the WD615.47 Driveline Suits Africa and the Middle East

Road conditions across key markets — Uganda's northern corridor, Nigeria's Lagos–Kano highway, Zambia's copper belt haul roads, and Iraq's southern oil-field access tracks — punish trucks that rely on complex electronics or dealer-only diagnostics. The howo 371 engine is mechanically governed with minimal ECU intervention at Euro II standard, which means:

• Local mechanics can diagnose and repair the injection system with standard workshop tools.
• Turbos, injectors, liners, pistons, and head gaskets are available off-the-shelf at competitive prices from Chinese aftermarket suppliers.
• No forced-regeneration DPF cycles, which become a problem where low-sulphur fuel supply is unreliable.

The HW19710 10-speed synchromesh gearbox handles gross combinations up to 25–30 tonnes depending on axle rating, and its ratios are well suited to both loaded uphill hauls and unladen return legs. Combined with a rear bogie in 6x4 or a tandem rear in 8x4, the truck distributes load effectively on soft or unpaved surfaces.

Fuel consumption varies by load and terrain but operators in South Africa and Kenya typically report 28–35 litres per 100 km under normal haul conditions — consistent with a 300-litre tank giving a practical range of 800–1,000 km before refuelling.

Refurbishment and Inspection Process

Every howo 371 dump truck or tractor that leaves our facility has been through a documented inspection covering:

• Engine: compression test per cylinder, oil leak check, turbo shaft play, cooling system pressure test, injection timing.
• Transmission and driveline: gearbox oil, synchromesh function, prop-shaft universal joints, differential oil, wheel bearing play.
• Brakes: air compressor output, slack adjuster travel, brake lining thickness front and rear.
• Frame and body: visual and measurement check for chassis cracks, dump body hydraulic cylinder seal condition, tipping angle.
• Cab: glass, locks, mirrors, lights, air conditioning function.

Units that fail any critical check are either repaired to standard before sale or removed from the available list. We do not ship trucks that cannot pass a roadworthy inspection in the destination country. Inspection records are available for each unit on request.

Refurbishment scope is stated clearly in the vehicle description: items replaced (injectors, brake linings, tyres, batteries, etc.) are listed so the buyer knows what has been done and what to budget for in the first operating year.

LHD/RHD Conversion and CIF Export to Your Port

China produces the HOWO in left-hand drive (LHD) only. Markets including South Africa, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and others require right-hand drive (RHD). Sigma performs in-house LHD-to-RHD conversion before shipment — steering column, pedal box, instrument cluster, and mirror positioning are all relocated. The conversion is carried out by technicians experienced in HOWO cab architecture, not generic workshop staff.

We quote CIF (cost, insurance, freight) to your named port as standard: Durban, Mombasa, Dar es Salaam, Lagos, Tema, Beira, Jebel Ali, Umm Qasr, and others. CIF pricing means you see the total landed cost before the truck clears customs, which simplifies import duty calculations. We also prepare commercial invoice, bill of lading, packing list, and certificate of origin in the format required by your country's customs authority.

If you are importing to South Africa, see our trucks for sale in south africa page for country-specific import notes. Buyers comparing HOWO against SHACMAN on total cost of ownership may find our howo vs shacman article useful before deciding.

Parts Availability and Operating Cost — Buyer Checklist

Before committing to any used heavy truck purchase, work through these points:

• Parts supply in your country: Ask your local truck parts dealer whether they stock WD615 series parts (injectors, head gasket set, turbo, water pump). For most of sub-Saharan Africa and the Gulf states, the answer is yes for common items.
• Service interval readiness: A HOWO 371 at Euro II runs on engine oil meeting CH-4 or CI-4 specification at 15W-40. This grade is available at standard truck stops across Africa and the Middle East.
• Tyre size stocking: 12R22.5 is the dominant commercial tyre size in most target markets — you will not struggle to source replacements.
• Driver familiarity: The HW19710 gearbox and WD615 engine combination is the most common Chinese heavy-truck driveline in Africa. Experienced HOWO drivers are not hard to find.
• Duty and import tax: Verify the HS code applicable to used diesel trucks in your country before finalising your budget. We can assist with technical documentation for classification.
• Comparison shopping: The HOWO 371 competes with the SHACMAN F3000 and X3000 at a similar power band. See all our dump trucks and our 6x4 dump truck listings to compare specifications and availability across brands.

If you want to browse the wider HOWO range, start at our howo truck index. Contact Sigma Truck with your required configuration (6x4 dump / 8x4 dump / 6x4 tractor), destination port, and quantity. We will respond with available units, inspection summaries, and a CIF quotation — every quote based on actual stock at the time of enquiry.