Big Brutus is the World’s Largest Electric Shovel, standing at an impressive 160 feet high and weighing 11 million pounds. Located in West Mineral, Kansas, it was used for strip mining from 1962-1974, and is now a tourist attraction open to the public.
Big Brutus was the 2nd largest machine of its kind ever made, and originally moved an incredible amount of earth, an estimated 90,000 tons of dirt, clay, and rock per day. Its impressive size can be seen from the nearby highway for miles, and the giant bucket on its arm can still be moved with a single person pushing the controls.
Big Brutus is truly a remarkable sight, and one of the most impressive reminders of American industrial strength.
Is Big Brutus the biggest excavator?
No, Big Brutus is not the biggest excavator. Big Brutus is the world’s second largest electric shovel—an equipment used for excavating. It is located in west central Kansas and was used for mining coal.
It stands as tall as a 16-story building and weighs 11 million pounds. The Big Brutus is impressive, but not the largest excavator. The largest excavator currently in use is the Liebherr R 9800, weighing in at 1350 tonnes.
The Liebherr R 9800 is a mining excavator that is used in many open pit mines around the world. It is able to move 240,000 cubic meters of earth per day and its shovel capacity is 94 tonnes. It is capable of accommodating a variety of attachments which makes it very flexible and suited for different earth moving jobs.
How much power did Big Brutus use?
Big Brutus was the world’s largest power shovel, capable of digging up to 22 cubic yards of coal in one scoop. It was used to aid in the coal mining efforts of the Pittsburg and Midway Coal Company in Southwest Kansas, USA.
It was powered by two DC electric motors that each output 2,750kW for a combined output of 5,500kW. This power output, combined with its sheer size, made it capable of completing tasks that could have previously taken 100 workers days to complete in just a few hours.
What is bigger than Big Brutus?
Big Brutus is one of the largest electric mining shovels in the world. It stands 16 stories tall, weighs 11 million pounds and can move up to 94 cubic yards of material in one scoop. However, even Big Brutus is not the biggest machine in the world.
The Bucket-Wheel Excavator (BWE) is the largest land-based moving machine in the world. It stands a towering 95 meters (312 feet) tall and weighs over 13,000 metric tons. It is used in the mining industry to move large quantities of earth or overburden to uncover even larger deposits of coal, ore, and other materials.
Additionally, the BWE has an impressive capacity for removal, with bucket-wheels that are capable of removing up to 240,000 tonnes per hour.
The BWE is obviously much bigger than Big Brutus, and is an impressive technological feat. It is a fascinating example of the ingenuity and capabilities of modern engineering.
Why did they stop using Big Brutus?
Big Brutus was a giant electric mining shovel used in the coal mining industry in America from 1962 until 1974 as part of the predecessor to the Peabody Energy Corporation. The giant machine weighed 11 million pounds, was twice as tall as a 15-story building, and had a 16-cubic-yard bucket that enabled it to move large amounts of earth at a time.
Unfortunately, the machine was no longer economically viable due to a decrease in coal demand and the price of the resource. While Big Brutus was profitable during the height of its use, which lasted only a few years, the cost to keep it running eventually became too high and it was no longer possible to make a profit with the machine.
In addition to the decrease in coal demand and price, the environment in the region around Big Brutus was also considered in the decision. The dust and noise created by Big Brutus were significant, so its shutdown eased environmental concerns as well.
The last excavation using Big Brutus occurred in 1974 after which it was shut down and left idle.
What is the largest excavator on the market?
The largest excavator on the market today is the Liebherr R 9800. This machine is produced by the German-based engineering firm Liebherr, and it is specifically designed to work in the most demanding environments.
It is 11 meters (36 ft) tall, has a maximum operating weight of 980 tons, and can dig up to a maximum depth of 16 meters (52 ft). The R 9800 is equipped with a Liebherr D9408 V diesel engine which gives it sufficient power to handle major excavation projects with ease.
It also has a telescoping boom that allows it to reach great depths, as well as a standard bucket capacity of 21 cubic meters (767 cf). Additionally, operators are able to customize the settings on the R 9800 to fit their exact needs and it comes with a variety of additional attachments such as a ripper and breaker for even more versatility.
This sheer size and power make the Liebherr R 9800 the largest excavator on the market today.
Does Big Brutus still run?
No, Big Brutus is a retired Big Giant Electric Shovel located in West Mineral, Kansas. It used to be the second-largest electric shovel in the world, but it is no longer functional. The machine was built in 1962 and operated until 1974, when a failed engine bearing left it out of commission.
The shovel is open to the public to visit as a tourist attraction. It is also on the National Register of Historic Places and was even featured on the show “America’s Castles” on the History Channel.
Big Brutus is immensely popular and continues to draw visitors from all over the world.
Why was Big Brutus shut down?
Big Brutus was a coal mining machine located near West Mineral, Kansas, and it was shut down in 1974. It was the largest electric shovel in the world and was used by the Pittsburg & Midway Coal Mining Company to excavate the coal.
However, the demand for coal was decreasing at the time, making it no longer cost effective to keep running the machine. As a result, the Pittsburg & Midway Coal Mining Company ceased to operate and Big Brutus was shut down.
Additionally, by 1974, the environmental regulations had become stricter to try and eliminate some of the pollution caused by coal mining operations. This resulted in higher costs for mining companies, as they had to comply with a strict set of laws and regulations.
This was yet another factor that led to the demise of Big Brutus and the Pittsburg & Midway Coal Mining Company, as it was no longer cost effective for them to keep operating the machine.
The closure of Big Brutus marked the end of an era for the coal mining industry in the area. Today, it serves as a reminder of the hard work and dedication of coal miners, as well as the changes in the industry over the years.
It also serves as an educational tool, as schools and universities bring students to visit the machine, giving them an understanding of the history of the area and the coal mining industry.
How much does it cost to see Big Brutus?
The cost to visit Big Brutus, the world’s largest electric shovel located in West Mineral, Kansas, is $5 per person. Children under 3 years of age are admitted free. You may also purchase an all-day pass for $15 per person, which allows you to visit the museum and ride the shuttle bus to view Big Brutus.
There is additional information regarding group rates and donations on their website at www. bigbrutus. org. The museum is open from April to October from 9 a. m. to 5 p. m. daily, with shorter hours during the winter months.
Big Brutus tours are available for groups and individuals throughout the day.
How many people operated Big Brutus?
Big Brutus required a crew of 43 people to operate it, including the machine operators, electricians, oilers, and maintenance personnel, as well as a superintendent. According to Big Brutus’ official website, the miners, oilers and mechanics were the most important members of the crew, tasked with keeping the machines functioning, inspecting, and lubricating the oil-fired machine and its parts.
Operators of Big Brutus were responsible for using the controls to direct the machine movements in the mine, and electricians were responsible for the essential distribution of power, such as that from the generator.
When was the last time Big Brutus ran?
The last time Big Brutus ran was in 1974, when Pittsburg and Midway Mining Company donated it to the West Mineral, Kansas community. After the equipment was donated to the community, it operated sporadically, running coal until its last run in 1974.
Big Brutus stands tall and silent, with its engines shut off since then. Big Brutus is now a museum and it no longer runs, but it stands as an iconic reminder of the power of coal, which was once the lifeblood of the area.
How big was the captain shovel?
The size of the Captain Shovel, also known as the Colonel’s Shovel, varied depending on the type. For example, the General Purpose Shovel was a full-sized shovel used for carrying out bulk excavation work and had a length of 50 to 55 inches from shaft tip to the blade.
The Utility Shovel was a smaller shovel and between 30 to 36 inches from shaft top to blade. This shovel was used for lighter work such as carrying out trencher work and for creating furrows. The Extension Shovel was designed with an adjustable handle and could be used as a full-sized shovel and also lengthened to be used as a spade.
The overall length varied depending on how much it was extended, but when retracted it was usually between 40 and 45 inches. Finally, the Transitional Shovel had a blade that could be adjusted to different angles, making it suitable for heavy digging and also lighter maintenance tasks.
The overall length of the shovel was usually between 40 and 45 inches.
Who built the big muskie?
The Big Muskie was built by the Central Ohio Coal Company in 1969. It was designed by a team of engineers and construction started near the small village of Coal Run, Ohio in southeastern Ohio. The Big Muskie was constructed using two Big Barber-Green draglines, which were the biggest machines ever built up to that point.
The Big Muskie was assembled from 485 component parts and had a weight of 13,500 short tons (12,247 metric tons). It had a length of 220 feet (67 meters) and width of 146 feet (45 meters). The Big Muskie was powered by four electric motors, which had a combined output of 4,400 horsepower.
It had a working radius of up to 220 feet (67 meters), and a digging depth of up to 180 feet (55 meters). It was capable of moving up to 39 million cubic yards (30 million cubic meters) of coal and overburden per month.
Sadly, after a few years of operation, it was decommissioned and scrapped in 1991, resulting in the removal of one of the most impressive engineering feats of the 20th century.
Where is the big hog shovel buried?
The big hog shovel is said to be buried somewhere in the backwoods near the old Johnson family farm. According to local lore, the shovel was buried by the local farmer, Mr. Johnson, to keep anyone from misusing it.
Apparently, Mr. Johnson was a very superstitious man and believed the shovel to be cursed. He also believed that if the shovel were ever unearthed, it would bring bad luck to whoever uncovered it. The exact whereabouts of the shovel remains a mystery to this day, though some believe it lies somewhere beneath the ancient oak tree in the corner of the Johnson property.
Despite the years of searching, no one has uncovered the shovel or been able to confirm any of the stories about the hog shovel’s whereabouts.
What happened to the captain shovel?
The fate of the infamous Captain Shovel is a question that has been debated and discussed for centuries. The eccentric old pirate captained a ship by the same name, and his career as a buccaneer was renowned for the amount of plunder he acquired during his journeys.
Unfortunately, Captain Shovel had one major fault – his recklessness. He was known to take risks, and in the end, it cost him and his crew their lives. During one particular voyage, the Captain and his crew were attacked by Spanish privateers while they were trying to make their way back to port.
Although they put up a valiant fight, they were no match for the superior firepower of the Spanish ships. The Captain and his crew were captured and later executed for their piracy.
Since that fateful day, the whereabouts of Captain Shovel and his ship have been unknown. Based on some accounts, it is believed that the Captain had kept some of his treasures on board his ship, and these may still remain hidden to this day.
In any case, the legacy of Captain Shovel and his adventures live on in the many tales of piracy that are still told today.