When it comes to heavy machinery, bigger sometimes is better. From construction sites to massive mining operations, these massive machines are built to handle the toughest tasks. Whether you’re a contractor, equipment enthusiast, or just fascinated by giant machines, you’ll love this rundown of the biggest and most powerful excavators ever built. Our list of the largest excavators in the world includes the Hyundai R1200-9 and the Komatsu PC8000-11, but first place goes to the behemoth CAT 6090 FS. With an operating weight of 1102 tons and 4500 horsepower, this oversized excavator can tear into anything in its path.
7 largest excavators in the world
- Bobcat E165
- John Deere 870 P-tier
- Volvo EC950F
- Hyundai R1200-9
- Komatsu PC8000-11
- Hitachi EX8000 7
- CAT 6090 FS
Largest Bobcat Excavator: E165
Price: $220,000
Bobcat is well known for its excavators, and the Bobcat E165 represents the largest Bobcat excavator in the lineup. The E165 provides plenty of slewing torque and power for slewing, backfilling and overall machine performance. Operators enjoy four power modes, fast cycle times, and interior comfort with climate controls, as well as a pressurized cab with sound-isolating seal.
Product features:
- Operating weight: 38,376 lbs
- Bucket capacity:
- Height: 10’
- Engine power: 131 horsepower
Largest John Deere Excavator: 870 P-Tier
Price: Unavailable
The John Deere 870 P-Tier is John Deere’s largest excavator, equipped with a final tier 4 Isuzu engine that reduces nitrous oxides emissions. The cab interior makes it easy for operators to work comfortably, with a multi-language LCD display monitor that provides access to machine information and functions. The excavator has a maximum dig depth of up to 36’ 7”, and is compatible with several optional attachments, including plate compactors, hammers, and rotary cutters.
Product specs:
- Operating weight: 188,716 lbs
- Bucket capacity: 4.57 cubic yards
- Height: 16’10”
- Engine Power: 512 horsepower
Largest Volvo excavator: Volvo EC950F
Price: $1,332,000
The Volvo EC950F harnesses the sleek efficiency of one of Sweden’s leading machinery manufacturers to take on the construction sites’ most challenging excavation jobs. With an operating weight of 104.5 tons, and powered by a 449 kW engine, the Volvo EC950F is the largest excavator in Volvo’s lineup, and it gets the job done. Despite not being the largest excavator in the world, the EC950F has an impressive dig depth of just over 23 feet, and a maximum digging reach of 40 feet. It also features an innovative attachment management system that stores settings for up to 20 attachments, making switching tasks quick and easy.
Product specs:
- Operating weight: 104.5 tons
- Bucket capacity: 9.2 cubic yards
- Height: 14 feet
- Engine power: 603 horsepower
Largest Hyundai Excavator: Hyundai R1200-9
Price: $500,000
The Hyundai R1200-9 has a digging depth of 23 feet and six inches, making it a force to be reckoned with for tearing through compacted dirt, rocks, and substrate. A redesigned hydraulic system provides superior control, including improved pump flow and engineered spool valves. The South Korea-built R1200-9 also takes advantage of high-tech tools like Advanced Around View Monitoring, which provides operators a 360-degree view of their surroundings, plus an ECO Gauge for real-time fuel-efficiency data.
Product specs:
- Operating weight: 130 tons
- Bucket capacity: 8.7 cubic yards
- Height: 13’11”
- Engine power: 740 horsepower
Largest Komatsu Excavator: Komatsu PC8000-11
Price: Unavailable
The PC8000-11 hydraulic excavator was created by Japan-based Komatsu for use in surface mining operations. This large machine weighs in at 768 tons, and has 4,020 horsepower driving its excavating strength. With 55 cubic yards of bucket capacity, Komatsu’s largest excavator makes quick work of any obstacle in its path.
Product specs:
- Operating weight: 768 tons
- Bucket capacity: 55 cubic yards
- Height: 32’1”
- Engine power: 4,020 horsepower
Largest Hitachi Excavator: EX8000 7
Price: Upon request
Hitachi’s largest excavator weighs an astonishing 911 cubic tons and, with its backhoe attachment, can dig to a maximum depth of over 25 feet. The Hitachi EX8000 7 is built with technology designed to reduce fuel consumption and a cab optimized for performance and operator comfort. With almost 2000 horsepower, this massive machine is built to move mountains.
Product specs:
- Operating weight: 911.6 tons
- Bucket capacity: 58.9 cubic yards
- Height: 32’6”
- Engine power: 3,888 horsepower
Largest Caterpillar Excavator: CAT 6090 FS
Price: $15 million
Topping our list, the world’s largest excavator is the Caterpillar 6090 FS. This behemoth mining shovel has an operating weight of 1102 metric tons and a bucket capacity of 68 cubic yards. Unfortunately for those who want to purchase one of these big boys, Caterpillar has discontinued production of the 6090 FS, but if you can find an existing model for sale, it’ll set you back around $15 million.
Product specs:
- Operating weight: 1102 tons
- Bucket capacity: 68 cubic yards
- Height: 32’9”
- Engine power: 4,500 horsepower
Bottom line
Excavators come in all sizes, but when it comes to raw power, efficiency, and sheer scale, the machines on this list are in a league of their own. From the versatile Bobcat E165 to the world’s largest excavator, the CAT 6090 FS, these giants rule the world on construction sites and mining operations around the globe. Whether they’re used to earth-moving, deep excavation, or heavy-duty mining applications, these massive machines have played a crucial role in shaping our world.
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