Heavy Equipment

Top 10 World’s Largest Excavators

A list of the world’s largest excavators based on the operating weight.

Updated on

March 6, 2024

Excavators are powerful construction machines, often known as diggers, featuring a unique design with a boom, dipper, bucket, and cab on a revolving cabin.

Powered by hydraulic systems, excavators are key players in various projects, from big demolitions to detailed mining and expansive construction tasks.

That being said, not all excavators are created equal; each digger is unique, with distinct features and capabilities that set it apart from the others.

Here are details of the world’s largest excavators, including the Caterpillar 6090 FS (the world’s largest excavator), Bucyrus RH400, Hitachi EX8000-6, and more.

1. Caterpillar 6090 FS

The Caterpillar 6090 FS is the world’s largest excavator.

Manufactured by Caterpillar Inc., a renowned heavy equipment maker, the 6090 FS is modeled after the Bucyrus RH400, given that Cat acquired Bucyrus in 2011.

The giant digger weighs an incredible 1000 tons. It is equipped with a pair of Cummins QSK60 engines, with a combined rating of 3,360 kW/4,500 HP.

With a 52-m shovel, the Cat 6090 FS can load Caterpillar’s largest dump truck, the 797, in just four passes, boasting a payload capacity of 93.6 tons.

It is used in heavy-duty mining applications.

Operating weight: 1,000 ton
Engine power: 2x 1,680 kW / 2,250 HP
Shovel capacity: 52 m³ / 68 yd³
Breakout force: 2,400 kN

2. Bucyrus RH400/Terex O&K RH 400

Previously recognized as the world’s largest excavator, the Bucyrus RH400 is a giant digger that was initially launched as Terex RH 400 in Germany in 1997.

A year later, Terex acquired O&K Mining and incorporated its company name into the model name. However, in 2010, the excavator was renamed Bucyrus RH400 after Terex sold its mining division to Bucyrus.

With an operating weight of 980 tons, the digger can scoop up around 9,900 tons of material every hour —a world record for a hydraulic mining excavator.

Bucyrus RH400’s 50 m³ shovel is more than 6 m wide, weighs 84 tons and can hold 85 tons of material in a single scoop, filling any mining truck in 3–5 passes.

The excavator runs on two engines totaling 3,360 kW/4,500 HP and requires six car batteries to start, enabling a maximum travel speed of 2.2 km/h.

The Bucyrus RH400 is also used in heavy-duty mining applications.

Operating weight: 980 tons
Engine power: 2x 1,680 kW / 2,250 HP
Shovel capacity: 50 m³ / 65.4 yd³
Breakout force: 2,400 kN

3. Hitachi EX8000-6

Launched in 2012, the EX8000-6 stands as Hitachi’s largest mining excavator and the third-largest globally, with a weight of up to 837 tons.

It offers versatility with options for a 40 m³ load shovel or a 43 m³ backhoe bucket, which can fill the Hitachi EH4000AC-3 dump truck in three passes or the largest Hitachi dump truck, EH5000AC-3, in five passes.

The EX8000-6, propelled by two Cummins QSK60C engines, each rated at 1,450 kW/1,944 HP, can dig up to 13.8m with a digging force of 2,230 kN.

Operating weight: 825–837 tons
Engine power: 2x 1,450 kW / 1,944 HP
Shovel capacity: 40 m³ / 55.3 yd³
Backhoe capacity: 43 m³ / 56.2 yd³
Breakout force: 2,230 kN

4. Liebherr R9800 G6

Liebherr R9800, which is designed for large-scale operations, stands as the world’s fourth-largest hydraulic excavator.

Weighing up to 810 tons, this digger is adaptable with either a backhoe or shovel attachment. Specifically designed to complement Liebherr’s T 264 and T 284 mining trucks, the R9800 aims to optimize productivity.

The excavator offers a choice between a diesel engine and an electric drive version, boasting a maximum power of 2,984 kW/4,000 HP. The backhoe configuration delivers a formidable digging force of 1,760 kN.

Incorporating the Litronic Plus power management system, the R9800 enables electronic control over various machine functions.

Liebherr R 996 B — Liebherr R9800 G6. PHOTO | COURTESY

Operating weight: 800–810 ton

Engine power: 2x 1,492 kW / 2,000 HP
Shovel capacity: 42 m³ / 54.9 yd³
Backhoe capacity: 47.5 m³ / 62.1 yd³
Breakout force: 2,395 kN

5. Komatsu PC8000-11

The Komatsu PC8000, the largest mining excavator within Komatsu’s product lineup, stands as the fifth-largest hydraulic excavator in the world.

Recently, the Japanese equipment maker introduced the PC 8000-11, a new version based on the popular PC 8000-6. Available in both backhoe and front shovel configurations, it boasts a weight of up to 773 tons.

Similar to the PC7000-11, the PC8000-11 is equipped with Komatsu’s latest electronics and telematics. Capable of achieving a maximum digging depth of 8m, the excavator provides a formidable tear-out force of 1,813 kN.

The PC8000-11’s 42 m³ backhoe/shovel is designed to match trucks ranging from 240 to 400 U.S. tons. Propelled by two Komatsu Tier 2 (or the option of Tier 4) diesel engines, it delivers a total power of 3,000 kW/4,020 HP.

Operating weight: 752–773 ton
Engine power: 2x 1,640 kW / 2,000 HP
Shovel capacity: 42 m³ / 55 yd³
Backhoe capacity: 42 m³ / 55 yd³
Breakout force: 2,331 kN

6. Demag H740 OS

Specifically designed for KMC Mining, the Demag H740 OS has been in operation since 1999, serving oil sands in Alberta, Canada.

It functions as a front-shovel hydraulic crawler excavator with a loading capacity of 40 m³. The excavator’s impressive breakout force of 2,320 kN assures operators of ample digging power, alleviating any concerns.

The Demag H740 OS is propelled by two 16-cylinder CAT 3516B DITA diesel engines, which provide a total power of 3,280 kW/4,000 HP.

Operating weight: 744 tons
Engine power: 2x 1,640 kW / 2,000 HP
Shovel capacity: 40 m³ / 52.3 yd³
Breakout force: 2,320 kN

7. Komatsu PC7000-11

The Komatsu PC7000-11, the newest hydraulic excavator in Komatsu’s product lineup, stands as the seventh-largest excavator in the world.

Based on the PC 7000-6, the updated Dash 11 version incorporates modern electronics and electro-hydraulic controls.

Advanced technology includes Komtrax Plus 2 and Simplified System, with a specific focus on operation monitoring and big data analysis, accessible to operators and mine managers alike.

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The Komatsu PC 7000-6 is propelled by two 16-cylinder Tier 2 diesel engines, each rated at 1,250 kW/1,675 HP.

Its first model was dispatched to a gold mine in Argentina in February 2019, undergoing on-site assembly, a process that spanned over four weeks.

Operating weight: 676–694 ton
Engine power: 2x 1,250 kW / 1,675 HP
Shovel capacity: 36 m³ / 47 yd³
Backhoe capacity: 36 m³ / 47 yd³
Breakout force: 2,086 kN

8. Liebherr R 996B

The Liebherr R 996 B by Switzerland-based equipment maker Liebherr Group stands as the eighth largest excavator in the world.

Weighing up to 676 tons, this machine is propelled by two Cummins K1800E engines, providing a combined power of 2,240 kW/3,000 HP.

Its backhoe, with a 36 m³ capacity, generates a digging force of 1,535 kN.

Designed for challenging missions, the Liebherr R 996B demonstrates adaptability through the availability of an optional arctic kit, suitable for regions with temperatures as low as -50 °C / -58 °F.

Operating weight: 672–676 ton
Engine power: 2x 1,120 kW / 1,500 HP
Shovel capacity: 36 m³ / 44.5 yd³
Backhoe capacity: 36 m³ / 47.1 yd³
Breakout force: 1,930 kN

9. XCMG XE7000

The XCMG XE7000 stands as the largest Chinese excavator.

Weighing 673 metric tons, the XE7000 is powered by two 1,193 kW (1,600 hp) engines, to achieve a maximum digging force of 167 tonnes (1640 kN).

Featuring a 34 m³ bucket, it can hold about 50 tons of coal per scoop, allowing it to load about 30,000 tons of coal per day if operated continuously.

The XE7000 is designed to work in tandem with the largest dump trucks, with a loading capacity of 300-400 tons. It requires ample space as it 23.5m long.

Operating weight: (XE7000 / XE7000E): 673 t / 660 t
Engine power: 2x 1,193 kW (1,600 HP) / 2x 1,250 kW (1,676 hp)
Max digging radius: 21.19 m / 16.7 m
Backhoe capacity: 30-36 m³ / 39-47 yd³
Breakout force: 1,640 kN / 2,270 kN

10. Liebherr R 9600 G8

Unveiled at MINExpo International 2021, Liebherr’s R 9600 G8 is the latest addition to their mining portfolio, succeeding the popular R 996B model.

Although the R 996B is currently not in serial production, the R 9600 has undergone field testing in Australia, revealing a remarkable 19.6% increase in productivity and speed compared to its predecessor.

Additionally, it boasts a 40% reduction in fuel consumption.

The R 996B is powered by two QSK50 Cummins engines rated at 2,500 kW and compliant with US EPA Tier 4f / EU Stage V standards.

Liebherr also has plans to offer an electric drive version.

The Generation 8 model incorporates various technological features, such as onboard assistants, a redesigned cab, and an enhanced undercarriage.