WEST MINERAL, Kan. — Big Brutus rises above the horizon, visible before one even arrives to his resting place.
Learn more about his rich history before the giant became silent. Watch FOX14 Saturday evening at 6 p.m.
The following is information from their website, including official stats:
- Bucyrus Erie model 1850B
- largest electric shovel in the world
- 16 stories tall (160 feet)
- weight 11 million pounds
- boom 150 feet long
- dipper capacity 90 cu. yds (by heaping, 150 tons — enough to fill three railroad cars.)
- maximum speed .22 MPH
- cost $6.5 million (in 1962)
There is more to Big Brutus than cold steel and long shadows falling across the Mined Land Wildlife Area. Big Brutus is not just a symbol of the past, but an eternal tribute to the mining heritage of Southeast Kansas and to miners all across this nation who toiled to support their families.
On July 13, 1985, Big Brutus was dedicated as “a Museum and Memorial Dedicated to the Rich Coal Mining History in Southeast Kansas.”
In September 1987 The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) designated Big Brutus a Regional Historic Mechanical Engineering Landmark, the 10th since 1971 to be so designated.
In 2018 Big Brutus was placed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Big Brutus is open year round featuring a museum. Click to their website for details.
COPYRIGHT 2022 BY KOAM NEWS NOW. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THIS MATERIAL MAY NOT BE PUBLISHED, BROADCAST, REWRITTEN OR REDISTRIBUTED.