10 of the World's Biggest Excavators

8 Min read

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Caleb Woods

Caleb Woods

Content Specialist, Boom & Bucket

May 9, 2023

In an industry that's all about the most significant, heaviest, most effective machines, we should ask: who makes the largest excavator in the world?

#1 Caterpillar 6090 FS

2024's largest excavator in the world is the Caterpillar 6090 FS.

The Caterpillar 6090 FS isn't simply one of the world's biggest excavators—it's also the world's largest hydraulic excavator. This hefty piece of equipment is constructed in the United States and boasts an operational weight of 242,9494 pounds! The Caterpillar 6090 FS similarly supplies a robust engine rating of 4,500 horsepower. This gadget can handle a large load of shovel bucket capacity.

We can't say we're surprised that a Caterpillar excavator holds the variety-one spot. For context, the most crucial caterpillar sell-off truck has a gross running weight of 1,375,000 pounds. It is one sizeable operational weight, yet Caterpillar's 797 Series sell-off vans hit that hefty rank. You have to wonder what sort of construction websites wield a combination of Caterpillar's excavator and dump truck power.

The automated roll-again limiter is one of the most exceptional Cat 6090 FS functions. A roll-lower back limiter prevents spillage while helping most bucket potential.

The world's giant excavator also provides astounding growth velocity, a reinforced undercarriage, and crawler additives that protect against wear and tear.

But we must deliver credit where credit's due: the largest excavator in the world is modeled after the Bucyrus RH400. The Bucyrus RH400 previously held the number-one spot but is now (pretty respectably) the second-biggest hydraulic excavator ever.

Caterpillar 6090 FS Specs:

Manufacturer: Caterpillar

Country of origin: United States

Operating Weight: 242,9494 pounds

Standing top: 32' nine"

#2 Bucyrus RH400

This layout became part of a protracted line of acquisitions that decided who managed the file-breaking excavator. The industry-first known as this excavator, the Terex O&K RH400, earlier than Terex, was acquired by way of Bucyrus. It later evolved into the first-rate Caterpillar 6090 FS after Caterpillar acquired Bucyrus in 2010. This version quickly became a center of Caterpillar's line of mining equipment for its maximum digging force.

The Bucyrus RH400, as soon as the sector's largest hydraulic excavator, has a running weight of about 2,160,510 pounds with a killer 4,500 horsepower.

The Bucyrus RH has a TriPower front shovel and backhoe attachment, an independent oil-cooling gadget, and digital hydraulic servo control. As a front-shovel excavator, it can perform shovel loading and backhoe operations.

Pro tip: Timeless Terex mining division gadgets can still be purchased here at Boom & Bucket.

Bucyrus RH400 Specs:

(Original) Manufacturer: Bucyrus

Country of the beginning: United States

Operating weight: 2, one hundred sixty,510 pounds

Standing peak: 32' 9"

#3 Hitachi EX8000-7

Currently, Hitachi's giant excavators are manufactured in Japan using cutting-edge engineering.

The system is powered by two dual diesel engines designed for safety and ease of use. The Hitachi EX8000-7 additionally features fierce engine stop switches, an onboard inclinometer, and a vehicle lubrication system that helps construction and mining excavators through huge-scale contracts.

When we compare Hitachi's popularity to that of a Caterpillar dumper truck, it indeed holds its own, with the essential Hitachi unload truck delivering a 1,102,311-pound operating weight.

Hitachi EX8000 7 Specs:

Manufacturer: Hitachi

Country of origin: Japan

Operating weight: 1,829,837 pounds

Standing peak: 32' 6"

#4 Demag H740-OS

The Demag H740-OS is number four on the world's most extensive excavators list. These mining excavators originated in Canada from KMC Mining, which was later stepped forward by the manufacturer Komatsu.

Despite not being the most critical excavator globally, it is capable of heavy-obligation mining programs and lifting, and it has a four-cylinder,463-horsepower engine.

The Demag H740-OS's specific layout is widely recognized as the arena's most giant excavator, generally used for abrasive oil sand operations.

Demag H740-OS Specs:

Manufacturer: Komatsu

Country of starting place: Canada

Operating weight: 1,640,239 kilos

Standing top: Not Listed

#5 Liebherr R9800

The fifth-largest hydraulic excavator is the Liebherr R9800 mining excavator. This excavator is made by Germany's Liebherr and designed to supply top-notch ordinary overall performance. These mining excavators have a working weight of 600,000 kilos. They are propelled by two sturdy diesel engines specially engineered to maximize productiveness. (Although, aren't all mining excavators?)

Its layout consists of an electro-hydraulic gadget that enables green power transmission, an impartial cooling system, and a closed-loop swing circuit that guarantees safe deceleration and reduced gasoline intake.

With the most considerable backhoe attachment capability among excavators on the list, its backhoe attachments also beautify its competencies.

Liebherr R9800 Specs:

Manufacturer: Liebherr

Country of beginning: Germany

Operating weight with shovel attachment: 1,620,000 pounds

Standing top: 33' eleven"

#6 Komatsu PC8000-11

Manufactured in Germany, the Komatsu PC8000-eleven, which was former Demag by way of Komatsu, is a hydraulic excavator especially designed for large-scale surface-mining applications.

Its versatility is contemplated in its adjustable loading, shovel potential, and bucket capability, which may be tailor-made to fulfill the unique requirements of diverse projects. The machine's cab is also prepared with an in-built LED display that gives operators a complete 360-degree view of their environment, ensuring the most safety.

The PC8000-11 additionally includes an exhaust after-treatment device that minimizes risky emissions, making it an environmentally conscious desire.

Komatsu PC8000-eleven Specs:

Manufacturer: Komatsu

Country of foundation: Germany, former Demag.

Operating weight: 1,536,000 pounds

Standing height: 32' 1"

#7 Liebherr R 996 B

The Liebherr R996 B mining excavator is made by the German-Swiss company Liebherr, famed for its advanced quality and sturdiness. Despite being barely light compared to its opposite numbers, this excavator possesses awesome floor and breakout pressure, making it a force to be reckoned with.

Designed to handle heavy-duty excavation tasks, the R996 B giant excavator is built to resist extreme weather situations, including tropical and bloodless temperatures. It is a perfect choice for more than a few mining projects. Its primary application is in coal mining sports, where its miles are utilized significantly for its exceptional talents.

Liebherr R 996 B Specs:

Manufacturer: Liebherr

Country of beginning: Germany

Operating weight: 1,490,000 kilos

Standing height: 29' 9"

Yellow John Deer Excavator with Conventional Tail Swing#8 XCMG XE7000

XCMG in China manufactured the XCMG XE700 mining excavator, which has garnered popularity for its flexible use in construction sports, primarily in coal mines.

The device has superior functions, including an external valve waft regenerative device that can collect and repurpose electricity generated by the gadget's lifting and loading operations.

Moreover, the excavator is equipped with a clever tracking gadget that continuously tracks its sports in real-time, ensuring its features work optimally.

XCMG XE7000 Specs:

Manufacturer: XCMG

Country of foundation: China

Operating weight: 1,484,000 kilos

Standing height: now not listed

#9 Hyundai R1200-9

The Hyundai R1200-nine crawler excavator is a first-rate piece of heavy machinery. It was designed and built by Hyundai. A South Korean business enterprise regarded for its excellence in engineering.

This excavator is a pinnacle performer with its three-pump hydraulic device. It offers the most appropriate strength and precision, making it ideal for use in complex excavation sites like quarries and mines. The excavator's key capabilities encompass intelligent power management, which robotically adjusts the hydraulic pumps primarily based on venture necessities, and Advanced Around View Monitoring, which gives operators a 360-degree view of their surroundings.

Additionally, the ECO Gauge permits monitoring gasoline performance on the spot, ensuring the most operational performance.

Hyundai R1200-nine Specs:

Manufacturer: Hyundai

Country of starting place: South Korea

Operating weight: 160, 200 kilos

Standing height: 13' 11"

#10 Volvo EC950F

Emphasizing the starting place segment, here's a reworded paragraph: The Volvo EC950F, Volvo's most giant excavator, became the first constructed in Sweden. This mining excavator boasts a broad song gauge, counterweight machine, and retractable undercarriage that provide running stability, making it perfect for use in rugged terrain. Its attachment management device permits brief and clean switching among obligations by storing settings for up to twenty special attachments. It also comes with an electro-hydraulic working system for quicker cycle instances and put-on-resistant enamel, allowing buckets to dig deeper and ultimately longer.

Volvo EC950F Specs:

Manufacturer: Volvo

Country of Origin: Sweden

Operating weight: 209,000 kilos

Standing height: 14'

What do you imply with the aid of "Operating Weight?"

An excavator's operating weight (or operational weight) is the whole weight of the machine while it is in use. It includes gasoline, the human operator, the engine, bucket ability, and attachments.

Another essential metric to recognize further to a mining excavator's operational weight is its breakout pressure.

What do you mean by "Breakout Force"?

Breakout force approaches the extent of pressure the heavy machinery can exert against its reducing facet.

One can maximize breakout shovel forces via increasing hydraulic energy and the usage of a slim, sturdy shovel.

The ultimate excavator attention you will need to wrap your head around is its shovel and backhoe ability.

What do you suggest through "Backhoe and Shovel Bucket Capacity?"

A shovel bucket pushes cloth far from the excavator, while a backhoe bucket pulls material inward.

A shovel bucket is generally used on the most critical excavators (just like the world's most giant excavators found on the list below). At the same time, a backhoe is more typically visible on small-to-mid-body excavators. All excavators are well suited with shovel and backhoe attachments. Bucket capability ranges across manufacturers and models. It is sensible to consult a bucket capacity length chart to decide the right bucket potential in your specific excavator operating weight and the task at hand.

In Need of A Used Excavator for Your Next Project?

You've come to the proper vicinity if you're searching for a used excavator. While the arena's biggest excavators are some colossal machines, they're likely more significant than the excavator length you want --- most popular excavators in the world have operating weights within the range of 10 to 45 tons. Depending on your task, Boom & Bucket will let you locate the device that is suitable for the job.

Caleb Woods
Caleb Woods

Caleb Woods is an experienced content specialist and an editor at Boom & Bucket, blending his journalism background with expertise in the heavy equipment industry. He delivers engaging, informative content to help professionals stay informed and make smarter decisions in the machinery market.

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