Short answer
The Caterpillar 6090 FS leads at 1,000 tonnes. The globally launched Komatsu PC9000-12 follows at a published maximum of 896 tonnes, ahead of the Hitachi EX8000-7, Liebherr R 9800 and Komatsu PC8000-11.
- Heaviest family
- Cat 6090 FS, 1,000 t
- New global model
- Komatsu PC9000-12
- Machine class
- Hydraulic mining excavators
The Largest Hydraulic Excavators by Operating Weight at a Glance
| Rank | Model | Operating weight | Version / era |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Caterpillar 6090 FS6090 FS face-shovel specification | 1,000 t | 6090 FS face-shovel specification |
| 02 | Komatsu PC9000-122026 global-launch specification | 896 t | 2026 global-launch specification |
| 03 | Hitachi EX8000-7European backhoe specification | 848 t | European backhoe specification |
| 04 | Liebherr R 98002026 programme, face shovel | 810 t | 2026 programme, face shovel |
| 05 | Komatsu PC8000-11Published diesel configuration range | 773 t | Published diesel configuration range |
No entries match your search.
The scale of the difference
Operating weight
First 5 entries shown. Bar lengths compare the magnitude of the reported values.
- Caterpillar 6090 FS1,000 t
- Komatsu PC9000-12896 t
- Hitachi EX8000-7848 t
- Liebherr R 9800810 t
- Komatsu PC8000-11773 t
The Largest Hydraulic Excavators by Operating Weight: Entry Details
Caterpillar 6090 FS
6090 FS face-shovel specificationThe 6090 FS puts an enormous hydraulic face shovel over a heavy mining undercarriage. Its scale is tied to loading ultra-class trucks with large bucket loads, giving the historical Cat family first place by operating mass.
- Configuration
- Hydraulic face shovel
- Published mass
- 1,000,000 kg
Komatsu PC9000-12
2026 global-launch specificationThe PC9000 expands Komatsu’s mining shovel range beyond the PC8000. Available shovel and backhoe arrangements let mine operators choose the digging geometry while matching the machine to ultra-class truck loading.
- Configuration
- Upper end of published 884–896 t range
- Published mass
- 896,000 kg
Hitachi EX8000-7
European backhoe specificationThe European backhoe specification is the heaviest EX8000-7 arrangement in the cited product table. Twin engines supply its hydraulic digging system, while the backhoe arrangement gives a different digging geometry from a face shovel.
- Configuration
- Backhoe with 1,850 mm track shoes
- Published mass
- 848,000 kg
Liebherr R 9800
2026 programme, face shovelThe R 9800’s face-shovel equipment is heavier than its backhoe arrangement. Liebherr places it above the R 9600 in its mining range, supporting the biggest truck-loading applications within that hydraulic excavator family.
- Configuration
- Face shovel
- Published mass
- 810,000 kg
Komatsu PC8000-11
Published diesel configuration rangeThe PC8000 remains a giant mining loader even after the PC9000 arrives above it. Its bucket and twin-engine hydraulic system belong to ultra-class truck operations rather than ordinary construction-site excavation.
- Configuration
- Upper end of published 752–773 t range
- Published mass
- 773,000 kg
The Largest Hydraulic Excavators by Operating Weight: Analysis
Why the 6090 FS carries so much mass
The 6090 FS needs a base that can support enormous bucket loads through the digging and swing cycle. Its face-shovel arrangement works against a mining bench, with the undercarriage and upper structure carrying forces far beyond those of a road-construction excavator.
PC9000 changes Komatsu’s largest-machine shortlist
The PC9000-12 entered global availability in 2026 after an initial Canadian introduction. Its larger digging package and truck match move it above the PC8000 family. A shortlist that stops at the PC8000 misses this new top model.
Hitachi and Liebherr use different digging arrangements
The EX8000-7 row uses the European backhoe specification, while the R 9800 row uses face-shovel equipment. The backhoe digs toward the machine, whereas the face shovel works into a bench above track level. Mine geometry helps determine which package operators order.
Mining excavators load rather than push
The PC8000 and R 9800 lift material into haul trucks. A large mining bulldozer instead pushes and spreads material, or rips rock before another machine loads it. Their different tasks explain why both can work in the same pit.
Our verdict
Editorial verdict
The 6090 FS remains the heavyweight historical reference, while the PC9000-12 updates the new-machine shortlist. For a mine purchase, start with bench geometry and truck loading before choosing between backhoe and face-shovel arrangements.
FAQ: The Largest Hydraulic Excavators by Operating Weight
What is the largest hydraulic excavator here?
The Caterpillar 6090 FS leads the listed hydraulic families at 1,000 tonnes in its face-shovel specification.
How heavy is the Komatsu PC9000-12?
Komatsu publishes an operating-weight range of 884–896 metric tonnes. The table uses the upper published value of 896 tonnes.
When did the PC9000 become globally available?
Komatsu announced global availability of the PC9000-12 in April 2026, following its earlier Canadian introduction.
How heavy is the EX8000-7 backhoe?
Hitachi’s European product table lists 848 tonnes with 1,850 mm track shoes. That backhoe is heavier than the loading-shovel arrangement in the same table.
How does a face shovel differ from a backhoe?
A face shovel works forward into the mining bench above track level. A backhoe draws its bucket toward the machine and can dig below the level of its tracks.
Sources & methodology
Published operating mass in metric tonnes. Use the specified configuration or upper published range, one entry per hydraulic family. Includes the historical 6090 FS. Excludes draglines, rope shovels and bucket-wheel machines.
Maintained by Artsiom Dusau, a software engineer and BMW 4 Series owner. Editorial policy
