Big Brutus Tour — West Mineral, Kansas

Discover the Big Brutus Tour in Kansas

Located in West Mineral, Kansas, the Big Brutus Tour offers visitors a guided experience around one of the largest electric coal shovels ever built. Officially known as a Bucyrus-Erie 1850-B electric shovel, “Big Brutus” stands as a towering monument to Kansas’ mining heritage in the heart of Crawford County.

This industrial heritage tour allows guests to explore the massive machine up close, learn how surface coal mining shaped southeast Kansas, and walk through a museum dedicated to the region’s energy and labor history.

Why it’s special: The Big Brutus Tour provides rare access to a fully preserved, 11-million-pound electric shovel — one of the largest surviving mining machines in the world — right in rural Kansas.

History & Story of Big Brutus

Built in 1963 by Bucyrus-Erie, Big Brutus operated in southeast Kansas coal fields until 1974. The machine was capable of moving enormous amounts of earth in a single scoop, playing a major role in strip mining operations during the mid-20th century.

When federal land reclamation laws required equipment removal, Big Brutus was spared due to the cost and difficulty of dismantling it. Local supporters helped preserve the shovel, transforming it into a museum and educational attraction. Today, it stands as a symbol of Kansas’ industrial and mining legacy.

What You’ll See & Do on the Big Brutus Tour

• Walk around the massive 160-foot-tall electric shovel
• Climb designated stairways to reach operator platforms
• Explore the on-site mining museum featuring historical exhibits
• Learn how strip mining equipment functioned in the 1960s
• View restored components of this record-setting machine

Hands-On Elements: Visitors may climb to selected viewing platforms and examine large mechanical components; operation of machinery is not permitted.

Photo/Video Policy: Photography is allowed throughout the grounds and museum.

Souvenirs & Extras: Gift shop offering branded merchandise, mining memorabilia, books, and souvenirs.

Pricing of the Big Brutus Tour

Adult price: $10 per adult

Youth and senior discounts may be available; check directly when planning your visit.

Visiting information

Duration: 60–90 minutes depending on museum exploration and climbing time

Age limits: All ages welcome; children must be supervised on stairways and elevated platforms

Accessibility: Partially accessible; museum is accessible, but climbing the shovel requires stair use

Working Hours: Tuesday–Saturday 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM; Sunday 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM; Monday Closed

The outdoor site remains viewable from outside the fence after hours, but museum access follows posted hours.

Nearby

• Miners Hall Museum (Franklin, KS)
• Crawford State Park
• Pittsburg State University (nearby Pittsburg, KS)

FAQs About Visiting the Big Brutus Tour

How tall is Big Brutus?
Big Brutus stands approximately 160 feet tall, making it one of the largest electric shovels ever constructed.

Can visitors climb to the top of the shovel?
Visitors can climb designated stairways to viewing platforms, but access to certain upper mechanical areas may be restricted for safety.

Is Big Brutus still operational?
No. The machine is preserved as a static display and museum attraction; it is no longer used for mining.

Is the site suitable for young children?
Yes, but parents should closely supervise children, especially when climbing stairs or exploring elevated platforms.

Is there a museum in addition to the shovel itself?
Yes. The on-site museum features exhibits about coal mining, local labor history, and the role of surface mining in southeast Kansas.