I. Project Background and Procurement Requirements In winter 2025, a municipal sanitation department in Shijiazhuang issued a public tender to procure a batch of 24 m³ sludge self-dumping trucks for transporting sludge from urban wastewater treatment plants. The project budget was capped at approximately RMB 332,000 (per publicly available tender information), with requirements for high sealing performance, cold-weather starting capability, and low-temperature hydraulic system stability—essential for coping with Shijiazhuang’s winter temperatures (as low as -15°C) and frequent haze conditions. Ultimately, the 24 m³ sludge self-dumping truck solution based on Sinotruk chassis offered by Chengli Special Purpose Vehicle Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as 'Chengli') was selected. During procurement, the customer prioritized engine power output, chassis compatibility, and winter maintenance solutions. This article analyzes the case across five dimensions—engine comparison, fuel consumption, plateau/plains adaptability, Chengli configuration recommendations, and FAQs—to provide reference guidance for similar procurement projects. II. Engine Power Comparison Analysis: Differences Among 85 kW / 100 kW / 120 kW Sludge transport vehicles operate under high load (a fully loaded 24 m³ vehicle weighs approximately 30 tons) and complex road conditions (urban streets, suburban roads, muddy sections); thus, engine power selection directly impacts transport efficiency and fuel economy. For this procurement, the customer specified a minimum engine power of 100 kW, while also requiring optimization for both Shijiazhuang’s plains terrain and surrounding mountainous areas. Below is a comparative analysis of three common engine power ratings in sludge transport applications (based on parameters of models such as CLW5180GSSD6): Comparison Table of Engine Power Ratings for Sludge Self-Dumping Trucks (Reference: Public Tender Information) Engine Power 85 kW (~115 HP) 100 kW (~136 HP) 120 kW (~163 HP) Applicable Scenarios Light-load, short-distance transport on plains Medium-load, urban road operations Heavy-load, complex terrain including mountainous areas Peak Torque (approx.) ~500 N·m ~600 N·m ~700 N·m Fuel Consumption (Full Load, L/100 km) ~28–32 ~30–35 ~32–38 Cold-Start Performance in Winter Requires auxiliary preheating device Standard preheating; starts reliably at -15°C High-efficiency preheating; starts reliably at -20°C Hydraulic System Compatibility Medium–low pressure (16 MPa) Medium–high pressure (18 MPa) High pressure (20 MPa) Suitability for Shijiazhuang Case Not recommended (insufficient power) Recommended (optimal cost-performance ratio) Recommended for mountainous routes (backup option) III. Fuel Consumption Comparison and Operational Cost Based on Chengli’s field test data (reference model CLW5180GSSD6, full-load testing conducted under Shijiazhuang’s plain-road conditions): 85 kW engine: Approximately 30 L/100 km under full 24 m³ load; however, fuel consumption rises above 35 L/100 km when climbing slopes, and insufficient power may cause engine overheating, increasing maintenance costs. 100 kW engine: Approximately 32 L/100 km; delivers smooth power delivery and stable performance across mixed urban/suburban routes—making it the preferred choice for this procurement. 120 kW engine: Approximately 35 L/100 km; although slightly higher in fuel consumption, it offers clear advantages during uphill driving or heavy-load starts—particularly suitable for hilly areas surrounding Shijiazhuang.