Thread Rating:
  • 0 Vote(s) - 0 Average
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
Excavators Built by Komatsu Bucyrus
#1
Company Background
Komatsu Bucyrus was a joint venture formed by Komatsu Limited, a leading Japanese heavy equipment manufacturer, and Bucyrus International, an American company specializing in mining equipment. The partnership combined Komatsu’s experience in excavators with Bucyrus’ expertise in mining shovels and draglines, producing equipment primarily aimed at mining and heavy construction markets.
Known Models and Sizes
The joint venture produced several excavator models, including:
  • 15HT Model: A compact hydraulic excavator often used in mining and construction, aimed at small to medium operations.
  • 20HT Model: A heavier and larger machine than the 15HT, designed for more demanding mine haulage and excavation tasks.
  • Models based on Bucyrus’ larger trackhoe lines, including those inspired by the powerful 30H and 40H series, which were in the 30-40 ton category or higher, suitable for heavy mining and earthmoving work.
The mining models included both backhoe-style and dragline-style excavators, blending Komatsu’s efficient hydraulic systems with Bucyrus’ structural designs.
Model Capabilities
  • Operating weights ranged from about 15 tons in smaller models to 40 tons or more in larger units based on the 30H and 40H.
  • Widely used in mining, quarrying, and large-scale excavation where durability and hydraulic power were essential.
  • Larger models featured advanced hydraulic systems allowing fast cycle times, high digging forces, and precise bucket control.
  • Many models came equipped with heavy-duty track frames and reinforced structures to endure harsh mining environments.
Technical Details
  • Engines typically ranged from 100 to 300 horsepower depending on model and application.
  • Hydraulic pumps were axial piston types attributed to Komatsu’s design expertise, providing efficient power delivery.
  • Electronic controls were introduced later to optimize performance and improve operator comfort.
  • Bucket capacities and arm lengths matched mining industry standards for the targeted size class.
Legacy and Relevance
After Bucyrus was acquired by Caterpillar Inc. in 2011, many Komatsu Bucyrus models were phased out or integrated into Caterpillar’s equipment lines. Nonetheless, these machines remain notable among collectors and modeling enthusiasts for their hybrid engineering and as a symbol of industrial collaboration.
Terminology
  • Trackhoe: An excavator mounted on crawler tracks, allowing mobility in rough terrain.
  • Dragline: Large excavators with long booms and cables, used to move big amounts of earth in mining and construction.
  • Hydraulic System: The assembly of pumps, valves, and cylinders that operate the excavator’s movements.
  • Operating Weight: Total weight of the excavator ready for operation.
  • Cycle Time: Time taken for a complete digging, swinging, and dumping cycle.
A Hobbyist’s Perspective
For model builders interested in 1:87 (HO scale) excavatorto scratchbuild, Komatsu Bucyrus models offer an exciting challenge blending two legendary makers. The blend of Komatsu’s Japanese engineering with Bucyrus’ American mining heritage gives hobbyists an opportunity to recreate historically significant machines that bridged continents and technologies.
Conclusion
Komatsu Bucyrus excavators ranged from small 15HT units to larger 30 and 40-ton machines based on Bucyrus Erie designs. These machines were engineered for rigorous mining and earthmoving tasks, combining hydraulic efficiency with structural strength. While no longer produced, their legacy continues through operational examples, historical interest, and scale modeling enthusiasm, representing an innovative junction in heavy machinery development.
Reply


Messages In This Thread
Excavators Built by Komatsu Bucyrus - by MikePhua - 08-20-2025, 09:22 PM

Possibly Related Threads…
Thread Author Replies Views Last Post
  Identifying the Year of Hitachi Excavators by Serial Number MikePhua 0 4 9 hours ago
Last Post: MikePhua
  Komatsu PC18: Understanding Its Year of Manufacture and Key Details MikePhua 0 8 11 hours ago
Last Post: MikePhua
  Komatsu PC4000 and 730E Working in Tandem at Scale MikePhua 0 13 Yesterday, 01:57 PM
Last Post: MikePhua
  Komatsu D20/D21 and Similar Grey Market Dozers: An Overview MikePhua 0 15 Yesterday, 01:21 PM
Last Post: MikePhua
  Excavators and the ETEC Atlas Benmac: A Comprehensive Overview MikePhua 0 15 Yesterday, 01:09 PM
Last Post: MikePhua
  Changing Control Patterns on Komatsu PC200 and PC300 Excavators MikePhua 0 13 Yesterday, 11:37 AM
Last Post: MikePhua
  Smallest Compact Excavators with Thumb Attachments MikePhua 0 14 Yesterday, 11:28 AM
Last Post: MikePhua
  Komatsu D41P-6: A Reliable Machine for Construction and Excavation MikePhua 0 11 Yesterday, 11:27 AM
Last Post: MikePhua
  Hydraulic Control Challenges in the Komatsu PC200-6 MikePhua 0 13 Yesterday, 11:22 AM
Last Post: MikePhua
  Using a 12-Inch Bucket with a Thumb on Kubota KX057 and U48-5 Excavators MikePhua 0 17 Yesterday, 01:38 AM
Last Post: MikePhua
  Manitou MHT 790 Telehandler Built for Heavy Lifting in Tight Spaces MikePhua 0 11 Yesterday, 01:24 AM
Last Post: MikePhua
  Komatsu HD785-7 Dump Trucks in Modern Mining Operations MikePhua 0 14 Yesterday, 01:17 AM
Last Post: MikePhua
  Snap-Tite Quick-Xchange for Excavators: Revolutionizing Attachment Swapping MikePhua 0 12 Yesterday, 01:01 AM
Last Post: MikePhua
  Choosing Between a 1991 Komatsu PC40 and a 2002 New Holland EC35 for Entry-Level Excavation MikePhua 0 15 Yesterday, 12:59 AM
Last Post: MikePhua
  Carter Mini Excavators Show Surprising Build Quality and Performance MikePhua 0 9 Yesterday, 12:59 AM
Last Post: MikePhua

Forum Jump:


Users browsing this thread: 1 Guest(s)