|
|
Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Member
Joined: 6/12/2003
Posts: 30
Location: Charlotte, NC
|
With the recent(ish) announcement of the new PC9000 going to the oil sands, do yall think this will re-ignite the ultra-vlass mining shovel race and bring back the likes of the Cat 6120?
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Member
Joined: 11/15/2003
Posts: 1,151
Location: North America
|
No!
Regarding the 6120; To this day, I've never heard a believable reason as to why the project was halted. Logic would suggest that the prototype Bucyrus produced performed well enough that a second unit was being erected at Albian Sands. And then the whole thing ground to a halt.
It should also be noted that after Caterpillar purchased Bucyrus, they decided to discontinue production of the 6090 (RH 400) a few years ago which suggests there is no current market for such a large hydraulic excavator.
I'll throw this idea out there for other members opinions and conjecture; back when the PC8000 was known as the H485S, Klemke commissioned an H685S which was a modified H485S. When the H485S was upgraded to the H655S and adopted a parallelogram front end after the Komatsu merger, Klemke commissioned a modified version that was known as the H740 OS.
I can't help but wonder if this PC9000 is just a modified PC8000 with the cab moved to the correct (left) side, as in the few photos online it doesn't really look "different" other than the cab placement. Time will tell.
Minexpo is the end of this month and surely Komatsu will be promoting the hell out of their "world's largest" hydraulic excavator and we should know more at that point. As the PC7000 is rated at 50yd3 and the PC8000 at 55yd3, I would expect at least a 60 yd3 bucket for the PC9000.
But the REAL QUESTION is; will we as collectors get a scale model?
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Member
Joined: 6/12/2003
Posts: 30
Location: Charlotte, NC
|
I haven't seen any pictures of the 9000, just a bunch of clickbait but thats a good point about Minexpo, so here's to hoping. As far as a model goes, I'd say that sounds right up NZG's alley
Were there ever photos released/leaked of the 6120 working? I've only ever seen the ones of it on the pad in Milwaukee
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Member
Joined: 11/15/2003
Posts: 1,151
Location: North America
|
The photos that are out there (on social media sites) are of poor quality and tall and narrow (likely taken with a very old phone). If the machine isn't on the water yet, it soon will be.
Regarding a scale model, If one should be produced, hopefully Bymo get the contract. If you compare the Bymo PC8000 to the NZG PC4000 objectively, the Bymo spanks the NZG in terms of metal content and value for the money in my opinion.
To the best of my knowledge, the 6120 prototype never left the erection pad and the only "work" it did was strain gauge testing.
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Member
Joined: 6/12/2003
Posts: 30
Location: Charlotte, NC
|
Shame about the 6120, and leave it to the hands of time about the 9000.
I wish my wallet had the ability to compare the likes of the two, but that doesn't mean I don't want to see one out there
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Member
Joined: 6/30/2003
Posts: 4,920
Location: Melbourne, Australia
|
Hi all, it is my understanding that the PC9000 is a whole new build. The hydraulics, lines, bucket and everything from the images available suggest its all new hardware. The odd thing however is that all information pointed to the 9000 starting a trial earlier this year however alternate reports also state that the 9000 is still sitting at the factory. I've also heard that Suncor/Fort Hills will be testing the machine later this year. All rumour once again. From what I know of the 6120, the fully built prototype that sat on the build pad was number 1, and a second machine was built and shipped to the oil sands however without a buyer, it sat waiting and was eventually cut up and scrapped. Shortly after, the project was abandoned and the prototype was also cut up for scrap. Rowan.
1:25th scale CAT 375L excavator
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Member
Joined: 11/15/2003
Posts: 1,151
Location: North America
|
The bucket, boom, and stick are definitely "all new" and the cab is mounted on the correct (left) side. Outside of that, it is impossible say what else will be different than the PC8000. Obviously, more counterweight will be required to offset the extended digging envelope (to accomodate autonomous haulage) and larger bucket, and some of that will come from the larger engines and pumps. etc..
I have no idea what information source you are referring to that stated it would be "starting a trial earlier this year". The first I read of it was in April in International Mining magazine. Komatsu posted their press release in May. If memory serves, it was stated then that the machine would not be delivered until the end of the year.
My understanding from a couple of German guys is that the machine was still in Wuppertal in late August.
What I do find to be very strange (and a bit disturbing as well), is that there was no information or promotion of the machine at MINExpo!
Regarding the second 6120; I've been told that only the undercarriage and revolving base were delivered to Albian Sands.
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Member
Joined: 6/30/2003
Posts: 4,920
Location: Melbourne, Australia
|
Good point about the 8000 potentially being a base machine underneath. Posts on the internet hinted at a PC9000 back as far as 2019 and word got out to the general public about the PC9000 back in mid 2023. The photos leaked appear to be quite old and were from an external fitter. I can't imagine Komatsu would have been happy with them being leaked. I've heard about trials in the oil sands from multiple sources however again, all rumour so not so reliable. Its almost like the literal elephant in the room. Surely attendees at MineExpo asked about it? I would have loved to know what their reply was. Thanks for the correction on the second 6120, its all from a while back now and my memory is shocking! Rowan.
1:25th scale CAT 375L excavator
|
|
|
Guest |
