Largest hydraulic shovel

Paul Boughton

Caterpillar has designed, fabricated and constructed the largest hydraulic mining shovel ever built. The new Cat 6120B H FS significantly exceeds the size of the Cat 6090 FS to deliver highly productive three- or four-pass loading of ultra-class mining trucks.

Hybrid technologies cut fuel use per ton by an estimated 25 per cent through the use of hydra-electric regenerative technologies and a unique energy storage system.

Caterpillar designed the 6120B H FS to be the most productive and efficient ultra-class hydraulic shovel available. An operating weight of approximately 1,400 tons (1,270 tons) and engine output of about 4,500hp (3,360kW) enable the shovel to efficiently handle dipper sizes of 60 to 85 cubic yards (46 to 65 cubic metres), depending on material density.

The energy management system makes use of large capacitors to store energy created by the shovel during swing deceleration and boom-down movements. That stored energy then helps power the hydraulic system when the machine requires peak power, such as during the digging portion of the cycle.

The hybrid technology features long-life components and design for ease of service, as do other systems within the shovel. Isolated, modular systems within the 6120B H FS offer easy access and enhanced serviceability.   

The new hydraulic shovel will fill the need for a safe, cost-efficient and highly mobile ultra-class shovel for short-term mining operations, non-electrified sites and areas where the power grid has limitations, and green-field developments.

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