In an industry full of the biggest, heaviest, most powerful machines, we have to ask: who makes the world’s biggest excavator?

1. Caterpillar 6090FS

The world’s largest excavator in 2024 will be the Caterpillar 6090FS.

The Caterpillar 6090FS is not only one of the largest excavators in the world, it is also the largest hydraulic excavators in the world. This massive machine is made in the USA and has an operating weight of 242,9494 pounds! The Caterpillar 6090FS also offers a powerful engine rating of 4,500 horsepower. This machine can handle some large capacity bucket loads.

We can’t say we’re surprised that a Caterpillar excavator holds the number-one spot. For context, the largest caterpillar dump truck has a gross operating weight of 1,375,000 pounds. Now that’s one massive operational weight, and yet two of Caterpillar’s 797 Series dump trucks hit that hefty rank. You have to wonder what kind of construction sites wield a combination of Caterpillar’s excavator and dump truck power.

One of the best feature of the CAT6090 FS is the automatic rollback limiter. The rollback limiter prevents spillage while supporting maximum bucket capacity. The world’s largest excavator also offers impressive boom speeds, a reinforced undercarriage system and track components that prevent wear and tear.

But we must give credit where credit is due: the world’s largest excavator is modeled after the Bucyrus RH400, which previously held the number one spot, but is now(quite respectably) the second largest hydraulic excavator ever built.

Caterpillar 6090FS Specifications:

• Manufacturer: Caterpillar
• Country of Origin: USA
• Operating Weight: 242,9494 lbs.
• Standing Height: 32’9”

2. Bucyrus RH400

This design was part of a long line of acquisitions that determined who controlled the record-breaking excavator. The industry first called this excavator the Terex O&K RH400 before Terex was acquired by Bucyrus.

After Caterpillar acquired Bucyrus in 2010, it later evolved into the incredible Caterpillar6090FS. This model quickly became a core part of Caterpillar’s mining equiopmnet lineup due to its largest excavator.

The Bucyrus RH400 used to be the largest hydraulic exccavator in the world, with an operating weight of about 2,160,510 pounds and up to 4500 hp.

The Bucyrus RH400 is equipped with TriPower front and backhoe attachments, a separate oil cooling system and electro-hydraulic servo control. It can be used as a front shovel excavator for shoveling and backhoeing operations.

Bucryus RH400 Specifications:

• Manufacturer: Bucryus
• Country of Origin: USA
• Operating Weight: 2,160,510 lbs.
• Standing Height: 32’9”

3. Hitachi EX8000-7

This machine is currently Hitachi’s largest excavator, manufactured in Japan using cutting-edge technology. Powered by two diesel engines, the machine is designed with safety and ease of use in mind. The Hitachi EX8000-7 also features a powerful engine stop system. Support for construction and mining excavator is available through large contracts.

When we compare Hitachi’s reputation to Caterpillar’s, it certainly holds its own, with the largest Hitachi dump truck delivering a working weight of 1,102,311 pounds.

Hitachi EX8000-7

• Manufacturer: Hitachi
• Country of Origin: Japan
• Operating Weight: 1,829,837 lbs.
• Standing Height: 32’6”

4. Demag H740-OS

Number four on the list of the world’s largest excavators is the Demag H740-OS. These mining excavators originated from KMC Mining in Canada and have since been modified by the manufacturer Komatsu.

Although not the largest excavator in the world, it has heavy-duty mining applications and lifting capacity of 4,463 hp. The unique design of the Demag H740-OS is widely considered to be one of the largest excavators in the world, and is typically used for abrasive oil sands operations.

Demag H740-OS Specifications:

• Manufacturer: Komatsu
• Country of Origin: Canada
• Operating Weight: 1,640,239 lbs.
• Standing Height: Unknown

5. Liebherr R9800

The fifty largest hydraulic excavator is the Liebherr R9800 mining wxcavator. This excavator is a product of Liebherr,Germany and is designed to deliver top-notch performance. This mining excavator has a weight of 1,600,000 pounds. They are powered by two rugged diesel engines specifically designed to maximize productivity.

The design includes an electro-hydraulic system that facilitates efficient power transmission, an independent cooling system, and a closed-loop slewing circuit that ensure safe deceleration and reduced fuel consumption。 With the largest backhoe attachment capacity of any excavator on the list, its backhoe attachment also increases its functionality.

Liebherr R9800 Specifications

• Manufacturer: Liebherr
• Country of Origin: Germany
• Operating weight with shovel attachment : 1,620,000 lbs.
• Standing Height: 33’11”

6. Komatsu PC8000-11

Manufactured in Japan, the Komatsu PC8000-11is a hydraulic excavator for large-scale surface mining applications. Its versatility is reflected in its adjustable loading capacity, shovel capacity, which can be tailored to meet the specific requirements of various projects. In additions, the machine’s cab is equipped with a built-in LED screen that provides the operator with a 360° view of the surroundings to ensure maximum safety.

The PC8000-11 is also equipped with an exhaust gas treatment system to minimize harmful emissions, making it an environment friendly choice.

Komatsu PC8000-11 Specifications:

• Manufacturer: Komatsu
• Country of Origin: Japan
• Operating Weight: 1,536,000 lbs.
• Standing Height: 32’1”

7. Liebherr R996 B

The Liebherr R996 B mining excavator is a product of the German-Swiss company Liebherr. It is known for its excellent quality and its durability. Despite being slightly lighter compared to its counterparts, this excavator has impressive grounding pressure and digging force, making it a force to be reckoned with.

Designed to handle heavy digging tasks, the R996 B excavator can withstand extreme weather conditions, including tropical and frigid temperatures, making it ideal for a range of mining projects. His main application is in coal mining activities, giving rise to a wide range of user for superior performance.

Liebherr R996 Specifications:

• Manufacturer: Liebherr
• Country of Origin: Germany
• Operating Weight: 1,490,000 lbs.
• Standing Height: 29’9”

8. XCMG XE7000

The XCMG XE7000 mining excavator is manufactured in China by XCMG Group and is popular for its versatile use in construction activities, mainly coal mines. The machine is equipped with advanced features such as an external valve flow regeneration system that captures and reuses the energy generated by the machine’s lifting and loading operations.

In addition, the excavator is equipped with an intelligent monitoring system that continuously tracks its activities and ensures that the excavator operates in the best possible condition.

XCMG XE7000 Specifications:

• Producer: XCMG Group
• Country of Origin: China
• Operating weight: 1,484,000 lbs.
• Standing Height: Unknown

9. HYUNDAI R1200-9

The Hyundai R1200-9 Crawler Excavator is an extraordinary piece of heavy-duty equipment, designed and manufactured by Hyundai of South Korea, a company known for its engineering excellence.

This exccavator offers top performance with a three-pump hydraulic system for optimal power and precision, making it ideal for use at challenging excavation sites such as quarries and mines. Key features of the excavator include intelligent power control, which automatically adjusts the hydraulic pumps according to the requirements of the project, and advanced surround view monitoring, which provides the operator with a complete 360° view of the surroundings.

In addition, the ECO meter instantly monitors fuel efficiency to ensure maximum operational efficiency.

Hyundai R1200-9 Specifications:

• Manufacturer: Hyundai
• Country of Origin: Korea
• Operating Weight: 160, 200 lbs.
• Standing Height: 13’11”

10. Volvo EC950

The Volvo EC950F is Volvo’s largest excavator and was originally built in Sweden. With a wide gauge, counterweight system and a retractable undercarriage system that provides stability during operation, this mining excavator is ideal for use in rough terrain. Its attachment management system allows for quick and wasy switching between tasks by storing settings for up to 20 different attachments. It also features an electro-hydraulic operating system for shorter cycle times and wear-resistant teeth that allow the bucket to dig deeper and last longer.

Volvo EC950F Specifications:

• Manufacturer: Volvo
• Country of Origin: Sweden
• Operating weight: 209,000 lbs.
• Standing Height: 14′

What does working weight mean?

The working weight (or operating weight) of an excavator is the total weight of the machine when in use. This includes fuel, operator, engine, bucket capacity and attachments. In addition to the operating weight of a mining excavator, another important metric to understand is its excavator.

What does “explosive power” mean?

Excavation force is the level of force that a heavy machine can exert on its cutting edge. Digging force can be maximized by increasing hydraulic power and using a narrow, sturdy shovel.

The last consideration you’ll want to think about with your excavator is its shovel and backhoe capabilities.

What does “backhoe and bucket capacity” mean?

The bucket pushes material away from the excavator, while the backhoe pulls material inward.

Buckets are typically used on the largest excavators, while backhoes are more common on small to medium sized excavators. All excavators are compatible with both bucket and backhoe attachments. Bucket capacity varies by manufacturer and model. It is wise to consult a bucket capacity sizing chart to determine the ideal bucket capacity for your particular excavator’s operating weight and the task at hand.