"Big Brutus is the nickname of the Bucyrus-Erie model 1850-B electric shovel, which was the second largest of its type in operation in the 1960s and 1970s. Big Brutus is the centerpiece of a mining museum in West Mineral, Kansas, United States where it was used in coal strip mining operations. The shovel was designed to dig from 20 to 69 feet (6.1 to 21.0 m) down to unearth relatively shallow coal seams, which would themselves be mined with smaller equipment.

"Big Brutus, while not the largest electric shovel ever built, is the largest electric shovel still in existence. The Captain, at 28 million pounds (13 kt) – triple that of Big Brutus – was the largest shovel and one of the largest land-based mobile machines ever built, only exceeded by some dragline and bucket-wheel excavators. It was scrapped in 1992, after receiving extreme damage from an hours-long internal fire," Wikipedia says.

"The Pittsburg & Midway Coal Mining Company donated Big Brutus in 1984 as the core of a mining museum which opened in 1985. In 1987, the American Society of Mechanical Engineers designated Big Brutus a Regional Historic Mechanical Engineering Landmark. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2018. The museum offers tours and camping."

"Constructed in 1962 by the Bucyrus Erie company for the Pittsburg & Midway Coal Mining Company, Big Brutus served as a testament to human ingenuity and hard work. This colossal machine operated for over a decade, dramatically increasing the efficiency of coal mining in the region before retiring in 1974," the official website says.

"However, its retirement marked a new beginning. In 1985, it was dedicated as a museum and memorial, signifying its enduring legacy. This dedication recognized Big Brutus as not just a symbol of the past, but as an eternal tribute to the mining heritage of Southeast Kansas and to the miners across the nation who toiled to support their families.

"In September 1987, the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) designated Big Brutus a Regional Historic Mechanical Engineering Landmark, the tenth such designation since 1971. Adding to its accolades, Big Brutus was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2018, further cementing its significance in American industrial history."

"Strip-mining was changed forever the day that Big Brutus and its giant counterparts powered up. At 160 feet high and weighing in at a jaw-dropping 11 million pounds, this gargantuan electric shovel that operated on 15,000 horsepower is the largest electric shovel in the world," the Atlas Obscura says.

"Big Brutus wasn’t always the biggest shovel—its mightier “sister” Big Bertha was dismantled, and the largest electric shovel on earth, the 22 million pound “Captain”, was scrapped in 1992, leaving Brutus to hold the lonely title. In the 60’s and 70’s, when the mining giants were in their heyday, Big Brutus’ bucket could lift 150 tons of coal, and worked at a speed of 0.22 MPH, 24 hours a day, using as much electricity as a town of 15,000 people.

"Today Big Brutus calls Big Brutus Inc. its home, a mining museum in West Mineral, Kansas that doubles as a campground. As long as the wind is low, you can climb on the 16-story boom, step inside the massive shovel, or poke around the stairs that climb the sleeping colossus that once roared with power across the Kansas plains."

"Big Brutus is a finalist for the 8 Wonders of Kansas because it is the largest electric coal shovel in the world!

"Looming on the horizon, one sees what appears to be a gigantic, prehistoric creature rising above the Kansas plains. Upon closer inspection, the creature turns into a black and orange, 160-foot tall coal shovel named Big Brutus. Designed and built by Bucyrus-Erie for the Pittsburg & Midway (P&M) Coal Mining Company, the 1850-B is the only one of its kind ever built and is recognized as an engineering accomplishment. Big Brutus, built near Hallowell in Cherokee County, cost $6 million. It took 150 railroad cars to bring all the parts," the Kansas Sampler Foundation says.

"A three man crew ran Big Brutus with the support of electricians and roller operators. The coal shovel ran 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, from 1963 until 1974 at a speed of .22 miles per hour (less than 1/4 mile per hour) and moved approximately one square mile per year. Big Brutus did not dig coal. The huge bucket removed the overburden (dirt and rocks covering the coal seams) and with one scoop could fill three railroad cars. Huge coal strippers moved in on the coal seams after Big Brutus exposed them."

"Big Brutus is 160 feet tall and weights 11 million pounds. These giant electric shovels, and the earlier "draglines" that they replaced, were an important part of the Kansas strip mining industry.Big Brutus was put out of business when the economics of the coal mining changed in the 1970s. New regulations required that strip mined lands be reclaimed, but even more important, high sulfur coal like that found in Kansas become much less desirable," the Kansas Travel says.

"Many visitors to Big Brutus will be satisfied with the view from the parking lot and a visit to the parking lot, but those paying admission can tour a small museum (almost all of it is visible in the picture below) and view a documentary of the building of the shovel. The video was interesting, but I wish it was a bit shorter.

"Walking on down to Big Brutus, you get to enter and tour part of the interior and sit at the most visible operator's position. Most of the machinery that ran the shovel is still in place."

"The newspapers called it a coal monster, and a monster it was. Dubbed "Big Brutus," the enormous power shovel towered 15 stories high and weighed 11 million pounds. Purchased in 1962 from the Bucyrus-Erie Company of South Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The machine's cost was $6.5 million. To ship the shovel to Cherokee County, Kansas, 150 railroad cars were needed, and once there it took a year to build," The Kansas Historical Society says.

"When the work was completed in June 1963, Big Brutus, with its 90-cubic yard shovel, could move 150 tons of coal in one bite, enough to fill three railroad gondolas. The shovel was behemoth, capable of only moving .22 miles per hour. It was used to remove the dirt and rock from on top of the coal and provided coal to seven electric companies.

"Eventually the old shovel received new hope when a non-profit corporation dedicated to the mining heritage of southeast Kansas decided they wished to make a theme park dedicated to coal mining, with Big Brutus as the centerpiece. The P & M Coal Company donated the shovel, 16 surrounding acres, and $100,000 to the project. Volunteers quickly restored Big Brutus, and it now operates as a museum. With the claim that it is the largest existing electric shovel in the world, the coal monster of southeast Kansas lives again, now teaching children and families about the history of coal and Kansas."

"Visitors can go inside and climb five stories to the innards of Brutus (Until 2004 they could climb through the open air to the top of the shovel boom, but this access was discontinued by Brutus's insurance company). The corridors and chambers are vast, with the feel of a decommissioned aircraft carrier. A 48 star flag hangs in the motor room," the Roadside America says.

"Big Brutus clawed the earth for a dozen years, each bucket enough to fill three train cars. Back and forth, back and forth he went, filling in behind with what he excavated in front. After several hundred miles of zig-zagging, he was shut down about a dozen miles from where he started. A sign notes that his electric bill was $27,000 during his last month of operation. A plaque in the control room salutes the "Men Of Brutus."

"The gift shop sells a large selection of Big Brutus T-shirts, whistles, fans, Frisbees -- and even souvenir ballast, coal, and a Big Brutus cookbook. There's also a nice picnic area and a snack bar named The Mine Pit."

"It’s difficult to grasp the enormity of Big Brutus without visiting the orange and black piece of equipment formerly used for mining in southeast Kansas," the Kansas Living Magazine says.

"Big Brutus, the largest electric coal shovel in the world, is 160 feet tall. It took 150 railroad cars to bring all of its parts to Cherokee County. Big Brutus weighs 11 million pounds and was built by Bucyrus-Erie for the Pittsburg & Midway (P&M) Coal Mining Company. The bucket is 90 cubic yards and, when operating, could move 150 tons of coal in one bite.

"“The shovel was used to remove dirt and rocks from the top of the coal,” says Betty Becker, manager of Big Brutus, Inc. “Now, the shovel is one of the favorite features for our visitors.”

"The Pittsburg & Midway Coal Company donated this monster in 1984 for their upcoming mining museum, and it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2018 — what a piece of history," the Only In Your State says.

"The sheer size of this giant electric shovel is always going to impress you, no matter how old or tall you may be. It's huge to everyone!

"If you’ve never thought Big Brutus was big enough for you to stop by sometime, we’d love to prove you wrong. Look at this huge thing! There’s plenty to explore here, even if you stay outside. It’ll take a minute to walk around the whole thing anyways."

"What a great experience! There is lots to explore and learn about the history of the area and the machinery. The museum is laid out well and staff super friendly."

"This is an amazing sight! I never imagined the magnitude. When you’re in the control room, which is five stories up, and Big Brutus is sixteen stories tall, you realize what an engineering marvel it was. And, there were only three people operating it."

"Great place to visit, especially with young children. Whole place is disability accessible with the exception of the control room of Big Brutus."

"Big Brutus sits majestically in the middle of a very nice park setting that is well maintained and offers picnic opportunities. The staff was welcoming, provided printed information and offered to answer any questions. We all were impressed with Big Brutus and enjoyed climbing up and seeing inside of him."

"This monster is a one of a kind. It is so big, it had to be built on site. I took a photo of my wife standing inside the bucket and all you can see is a little white dot. There is a nice museum as well. I think you will find a visit is worth your time."