PALMER -- Something big has just rolled into Cliffs Natural Resources Michigan productions--a brand new haul truck with a hauling capacity of about 320 tons.

Current vehicles have a 240 ton hauling capacity.  The machine is about the size of a two story home, in fact, truck operators say driving one is much like walking to the second story of your home and driving it away.

With the truck's great hauling capacity comes great opportunity.  The new five million dollar Komatsu hauling trucks are a mammoth addition to Cliffs' fleet.  Literally.  They can carry about 30 percent more iron ore and excess material in their payloads than their predecessor, a $100 million investment that will ultimately save Cliffs money.

"Over the next five years, we see reducing our production costs in the neighborhood of $15 million with these larger, more efficient haul trucks," said Mining Operations Manager, Jeffrey Johnson.

And with more production comes more safety.

"We'll have fewer, but larger, pieces of equipment in the field so we'll have fewer interactions which will make our work environment safer," he added.

A safer work environment and a cleaner U.P. environment.  With the larger trucks, fewer vehicles will be needed in the iron ore pit, reducing fuel consumption.

"We'll reduce our carbon footprint," Johnson said.  "We'll travel approximately a million-and-a-half fewer miles, and as a result of that, burn about five million fewer gallons of diesel fuel over the next five years, and we're excited about that."

There's a lot to be excited about the new vehicle, which just arrived this month.  It is one of 20 of its kind that will join the Cliffs hauling fleet with 10 expected to arrive this year.