The 290-tonne (319-ton) mining shovel is the first Cat branded product from the former Bucyrus line to start operation at a mine. The machine, known as an RH120E under the O&K/Terex/Bucyrus banners, also makes history as the first shovel in that line to go into operation in Finland.

The original purchase agreement for the shovel was signed in January 2011 and stipulated that the machine would be delivered in Bucyrus trade dress. But following closing of the acquisition on July 8, 2011, and through the cooperative efforts of the former Bucyrus regional sales organization and the Finnish Cat dealer, Wihuri Oy Witraktor, the mining contractor was given the option to change to Cat trade dress. The mining contractor did just that—citing a long and favorable working relationship with the Cat dealer as a primary factor in the decision.

The new Cat 6030, which is configured as a backhoe, is being delivered along with several traditional Cat products, including three 785D mining trucks, a 993K wheel loader and a 16M motor grader. E. Hartikainen Oy is the largest mining contractor in Finland and owns more than 100 Cat machines. The Cat 6030 swings a payload of 30 tonnes (34 tons) and is a productive match with the new 785D trucks and the mine’s fleet of Cat 777 trucks. The 6030 is powered by two Cat C27 diesel engines, which produce a total of 1140 kW (1,530 hp).

The Yara International mine in Finland currently is the only producer of phosphate ore in Western Europe. In addition to the mine, the site in Siilinjärvi includes several processing plants used for the production of fertilizers, phosphoric acids and other industrial chemicals.

Our friends in Finland have promised the Digger Blog more photo's of this excting product over the coming days.