Komatsu’s PC9000-12 It’s a Bit of a Beast!

Komatsu’s German based Mining Division (KGM) has officially announced the long-awaited global launch of the PC9000-12.

This giant machine, Komatsu’s largest and most innovative hydraulic mining excavator, has already been successfully introduced into the Canadian market, with a machine working for Suncor, at the Fort McMurray oil sands, operation in Northeastern Alberta, a site that has been the location for many test models of Komatsu and previously Demag mining excavators historically.

The PC9000-12 has been specifically engineered to help mining operations achieve higher productivity, improved efficiency and lower cost per ton - while delivering the power, performance and reliability that their customers rely on.

Designed to operate in the toughest mining environments, the PC9000-12 can be configured with diesel Tier 4, diesel unregulated or electric drive. This flexibility allows mining companies to align their equipment selection with regulatory requirements and site-specific conditions. As the largest model in the PC series, it offers the highest bucket capacity, longest reach and highest digging power in the PC series, ultimately leading to optimized cycle times, increased output and reduced production costs.

The PC9000-12 is globally available in both front shovel and backhoe configuration, equipped with a 46 m³ front shovel or a 49 m³ backhoe bucket. It is precisely optimized to load Komatsu’s largest mining trucks in the range of 240 – 400 short tons in a 3 – 5 pass match. With a payload of more than 80 tons per pass, it can load a Komatsu 980E truck in just five passes in under 150 seconds. Under optimal conditions, this translates into production rates of around 8,000 tons per hour.

For a more indepth overview checkout the excellent video below from our Canadian friend Mack Plovie of Earthmovers Media.