What did Big Brutus do?

Big Brutus weighs 11 million pounds — that’s 5,500 tons. He’s painted bright orange and once had the job of scooping rock and dirt off the coal seam in a strip mine. Each bucket load could fill three railroad cars. “It took 52 men about 11 months to assemble,” explains Betty.

How many people does it take to run Big Brutus?

During its 1963 to 1974 operating period, Big Brutus remov- ed overburden from approximately 9,000,000 tons of coal. Figure 1. Fifty-two men worked eleven months to assemble Big Brutus. Figure 2.

Can you climb Big Brutus?

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).

Who built Big Brutus?

the Bucyrus Erie Company
Built by the Bucyrus Erie Company, this shovel began its active service May 1963 at Pittsburg and Midway Mine 19, where it received its name of Big Brutus from the superintendent Emil Sandeen.

How much does Big Brutus weight?

11 million pounds
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.

Why was Big Brutus built?

Big Brutus is the centerpiece of a mining museum in West Mineral, Kansas 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.

Who made Big Brutus?

Bucyrus Erie
Big Brutus

Bucyrus Erie Model 1850-B “Big Brutus”
Type	Electric shovel
Manufacturer	Bucyrus-Erie
Production	1 unit made; June 1962 to May 1963 at a cost of $6.5 million
Length	79.5 feet (24.2 m) (house)

Are dogs allowed at Big Brutus?

No pets or smoking are allowed in the cabins. This office is not open daily.

Does the Big Brutus still work?

Huge coal strippers moved in on the coal seams after Big Brutus exposed them. In April 1974, Big Brutus dug himself out of his last pit, approximately 65 feet deep, and ceased operation.

Why did Big Brutus close?

It was shut down April 1974, because it was considered uneconomical, and given to a group of concerned citizens in 1983 for restoration. Designated by the Kansas City Section. “Big Brutus” was the second largest shovel of its type in operation from 1963 until 1974.

Who owned Big Brutus?

Pittsburg & Midway Coal Mining Co.
Big Brutus was purchased by Pittsburg & Midway Coal Mining Co. in 1962 for $6.5 million. For 11 years it worked the ground west of Columbus near West Mineral. The machine could only move at just less than a quarter of a mile per hour.

How much is Big Brutus worth?

Technically a Bucyrus-Erie Model 1850B electric dragline shovel, Big Brutus was built in 1962 (at a cost of $6.5 million, or about $51.6 million in today’s dollars) for the Pittsburg & Midway Coal Mining Company’s strip-mining operation in West Mineral, Kansas.

Is Big Brutus free?

Along with primitive camping and space for self-contained RV’s, there are ten water/electrical hook-ups and a dump station….Big Brutus is Waiting for You.

ADMISSION:*
Adults	$8.75
Sr. Citizens/Military	$8.25
Child (6-12)	$5.50
Child (5 & under)	FREE

How much does Big Brutus cost?

Hours and admission charge: January-March daily 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; April-Memorial Day Weekend daily 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Memorial Day to Labor Day daily 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Labor Day until January daily 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Admission for adults (13-65) $8; senior citizens (65+) $7.50; children (6-12), $5.00.

How much does it cost to see Big Brutus?

$8.75
Big Brutus is Waiting for You

ADMISSION:*
Adults	$8.75
Sr. Citizens/Military	$8.25
Child (6-12)	$5.50
Child (5 & under)	FREE

Is Big Brutus still operational?

Big Brutus is a museum open year round. Hours vary with the season. Call (620)827-6177 for more information. The Markley Shovel has been donated to Big Brutus.