HOWO Tractor Head Models Compared: 371/375 vs TX vs T7H for Used Buyers
HOWO 371, 375, TX, NX and T7H tractor heads dominate the Chinese used truck export market, but they are not interchangeable. Engine families, cab generations, gearboxes and axle options explained, with typical used price ranges and a model-to-route matching checklist.
Ask any exporter in Liangshan or Shijiazhuang which Chinese tractor head moves the most units, and the answer is the same: HOWO. But HOWO is not one truck. The badge covers a decade of cab generations and two engine families, and choosing the wrong generation for your route costs money every month you run it. This guide compares the models you will actually meet in the used export market - the classic 371 and 375, the newer TX and NX, and the wide-cab T7H - using the specifications that matter when the truck is three to eight years old and priced accordingly.
Two engine families, three cab generations
Nearly every used HOWO tractor head on the market runs one of two engines. The first is the WD615, a 9.726-liter six-cylinder diesel that powers the classic 371 (WD615.47, 371 hp, about 1,500 Nm of torque) and the near-identical 375 (WD615.96E, 375 hp). The second pair sits in the higher-spec builds: the MC11, the MAN-derived engine family in the Sinotruk portfolio, and the Weichai WP12 430 hp unit fitted to TX, NX and T7H configurations. Both attach to the HW19710 10-speed manual gearbox, with 12-speed HW19712 units on some T7H and 4x2 lines (exporter spec sheets, reported).
One exporter table summarizes the split cleanly: the classic 6x4 driveline pairs the WD615.47 371 hp with a 400-liter tank, while the premium line runs an MC11.44 440 hp with a 12-speed gearbox and 600 liters (reported). Both are proven in hot climates; what separates them for a used buyer is the parts story below.
371 vs 375: the same truck for all practical purposes
Buyers frequently ask whether a 375 is worth paying more for. In the used channel the difference is minimal. Both are 6x4 units on the ZZ4257 chassis family with the HW76 steel cab, a 7.5-ton steering axle, twin 13-ton hub-reduction drive axles, the HC16-class rear bogie and 12.00R20 or 12R22.5 tires. Curb weight is roughly 8.8 tons and gross combination weight ratings run 40-50 tons depending on spec. The 375 badge reflects a slightly different WD615 calibration, not a different platform - treat the two as one model when comparing listings, and negotiate on condition, mileage and service records instead (practitioner guidance, reported).
There is a reason the 371/375 still dominates exports. The WD615 is the engine African and Middle East mechanics know best: injector, turbocharger, water pump and head gasket stock sits deep in Nairobi, Lagos, Accra, Dar es Salaam and Dubai, and the Euro II calibration of most export-spec units tolerates the lower-grade diesel still found in parts of East and West Africa without the injector sensitivity of newer Euro IV/V engines. Industry experience puts well-maintained WD615 units past 600,000 km before major overhaul (reported, fleet operator experience). This is also why Liangshan exporters keep restocking the model - it remains the cheapest truck in its class to keep running.
TX and NX: newer cabs on the same proven driveline
The TX and NX are the current-generation cabs bolted to drivelines buyers already trust. Factory-direct listings show the TX 6x4 with the TX-F cab in both 371 hp WD615 and 430 hp WP12 configurations, and the NX with the H77L cab in the same engine options (factory price list, reported). For a used buyer this matters in three ways: newer cabs mean lower hours on interior trim and wiring, better insulation and less driver fatigue on long corridors; driveline parts are identical to the 371; and late-model TX/NX units only began entering the used channel in volume recently, so stock is thinner and asking prices sit closer to new-truck discounts.
Price anchoring helps here. Factory-direct FOB references for new chassis start around 29,000 USD for a classic 371 6x4 tractor, around 31,000 USD for the TX 371 and higher for 430 hp builds (factory list, reported, chassis only). A used TX asking within 20-25% of that ceiling needs a very good service history to justify itself.
T7H: the wide-cab flagship for long-haul work
The T7H sits at the top of the classic HOWO range. Exporter descriptions position it above the A7 in ride quality and driver space: a wider, taller cab shell with improved insulation, a larger bunk and a more driver-friendly dashboard. Engines run from the familiar WD615.47 371 hp to the MC11.43 430 hp, on heavy-duty 6x4 drivelines (exporter spec sheets, reported). For fleets running Lagos-Abuja, Mombasa-Kampala or Gulf intercity corridors where drivers sleep in the truck, the cab upgrade translates directly into lower driver turnover. The trade-off: MC11 parts are not as universally stocked as WD615 in secondary markets, so confirm local support before paying the premium.
Model table and typical used prices
Reported used asking ranges cluster around the classic models: 2015-2020 HOWO 371 6x4 tractors list at roughly 16,000-26,000 USD FOB China and 20,000-31,000 USD CIF Lagos (practitioner guide, October 2026). Benchmark every ask against the five-brand used tractor FOB price guide and the HOWO purchase price guide before negotiating.
| Model | Engine | Cab | Used availability | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 371 / 375 | WD615.47 / .96E, 371-375 hp | HW76 steel | Deep, all years | Heavy GCW haulage, quarry, bulk |
| TX | WD615.47 or WP12 430 hp | TX-F | Growing, recent years | Mixed duty, comfort-minded fleets |
| NX | WD615.47 or WP12 430 hp | H77L | Growing, recent years | General long-haul |
| T7H | WD615.47 or MC11.43 430 hp | Wide luxury sleeper | Moderate | Interstate long-haul, driver retention |
How to match a model to your route
1. Decide the axle layout first. 6x4 for unpaved roads, quarry work and heavy GCW; 4x2 only for paved corridors with moderate GCW, where it cuts tire wear and fuel cost (practitioner consensus).
2. Check engine support before model preference. Confirm WD615 or MC11/WP12 parts and mechanics exist in your operating city. When uncertain, the 371 is the safe default.
3. Inspect before you price. Work through the buyer-side inspection checklist and grade any refurbishment against the refurbishment grading guide; ask for T/CADCC 009-2025 standard compliance when the seller claims Grade A work.
4. Structure the deal safely. Follow the payment and anti-fraud guide with milestone payments tied to inspection evidence.
5. Mind the context. The brand behind HOWO keeps investing overseas - see the Sinotruk export record and what it means for used buyers; for mining-spec dump trucks rather than tractors, see the Africa mining truck guide and the Liangshan refurbishment series at part one of the refit whitepaper.
The HOWO badge is a family, not a spec. Pick the generation that matches your route and your local parts reality, and the truck pays you back month after month. For the brand-level comparison across makers - including the Cummins-powered FOTON alternative - continue with the used FOTON Auman buyer guide.