SOURCE: Quarry | May 26, 2026
Caterpillar’s next-generation 6040 hydraulic mining shovel is designed to deliver high breakout forces and fast swing cycles while increasing fuel efficiency through hydraulic optimization.
The 400-metric-ton-class machine also integrates more standard technologies, a new cab and streamlined serviceability for increased productivity and uptime.
Performance and Efficiency
The 6040 is powered by new twin 2,079-horsepower Cat C32B engines that enable shovel operation or the ability to move the shovel off the face using one engine. Multiple engine configuration options are available to meet regional requirements. When equipped with the optional oil change interval extension attachment, engine oil exchange intervals increase from 500 to 1,000 hours.
While conventional hydraulic systems operate at the maximum required cylinder flow and pressure regardless of demand from individual circuits, the 6040’s new hydraulic system dynamically assigns individual pumps or groups of pumps to deliver the exact flow and pressure that each hydraulic function requires.
Caterpillar says this variable, on-demand hydraulic oil flow cuts fuel consumption, reduces excess heat, conserves energy and prolongs component life, making it 15% more efficient than shovels without it. The five-circuit hydraulic system allows for two cylinder motions, two travel motions and swing.
The 6040 touts 269,996 pound-feet of breakout force in the face shovel configuration and 252,460 pound-feet with the backhoe to prevent bucket stall in tough materials. Its closed-loop swing system delivers fast cycle times and improves energy efficiency, the company says.
The shovel can load the 162-ton Cat 785 in four passes or the 360-ton Cat 796 AC in eight passes.
Improved Operator Comfort
An all-new cab improves operator visibility, comfort and training, according to Caterpillar.
A floor window provides clear views of the tracks and a 40% increase in visibility of digging and loading areas.
The interior experiences sound levels of 68 decibels. It features a new air conditioning system, ergonomic joystick controls and left-side-mounted monitoring and diagnostic tower, including a 10-inch touchscreen, live sensor monitoring, and visual and acoustic fault warnings.
Caterpillar’s three-seat design — fully adjustable next-gen comfort seat, an elevated full-size trainer seat and laptop work desk, and fold-away auxiliary seat — facilitates in-cab operator training.
A new 45-degree hydraulically operated stairway allows for safe entry and exit, plus emergency lowering capability to ensure operation even when the engines are shut off.
Tech at the Forefront
The shovel’s new cab riser features integrated Cat electronics and an enhanced electronic architecture. Standard technologies include:
- Operator Assist: Enhanced Motion Control incorporates angle sensors on the linkage to calculate boom and stick positioning, preventing hard stops and metal-to-metal contacts.
- Cat Payload: Measures every bucket load to help operators hit target truck payloads without overloading or underloading.
- Vision 360: Integrates four camera views on the in-cab touchscreen display to give the operator a 360˚ surround view of the shovel.
- ProductLink Elite: Boosts connectivity and increases the availability of machine reporting data.
- Improved Durability, Streamlined Maintenance
- Caterpillar engineered the 6040 with a target design life of at least 60,000 hours. The shovel is 2.25% heavier than the previous model and features durable structures and heavy-duty fixed-axle rollers and idlers that eliminate grease consumption.
- A new single line grease injection system paired with a fixed pins architecture simplifies the grease distribution system with component count and grease line reduction to all pins. This reduces the risk of line breakage, simplifies diagnostics and allows for more efficient grease distribution and flow control, the company says.
- Hoses have been better organized and routed for streamlined service and improved performance. All service areas are accessible via anti-slip walkways. A retractable service station offers easy access to coolant, hydraulic oil, slew gearbox oil, grease, diesel and engine oil. The boom-mounted main hydraulic block gives technicians quick access to the swing drives, rotary joint and travel spool valves, while increasing available space in the superstructure.
- The updated electronics infrastructure provides access to the Cat Electronic Technician, helping dealer service personnel to more easily diagnose and prevent issues. Standard remote services include Remote Troubleshoot that allows the Cat dealer to diagnose issues remotely without impacting shovel performance and Remote Flash for updating onboard software at a convenient time without requiring a technician to be present.
- Caterpillar 6040 Hydraulic Mining Shovel Specs
- Engines: Twin Cat C32B
- Gross Power: 2,079 hp
- Bucket Payload: 44 tons
- Standard capacity – backhoe & face shovel: 28.8 yd3
- Operating weight – backhoe & face shovel: 453 tons
- Max. breakout force – backhoe: 252,460 lbf
- Max. breakout force – face shovel: 269,996 lbf
- Max. crowd force – face shovel: 402,633 lbfMartin Engineering has expanded its portfolio of conveyor belt cleaners and components following the acquisition of ConveyorTech Pty Ltd (CVT).
Notably, CVT will bolster Martin Engineering’s product range with numerous non-urethane designs not previously available in its portfolio. CVT holds the IP, designs and specifications for a vast array of tried-and-tested conveyor components that Martin is now introducing to its customers, starting with heavy-duty primary and secondary belt cleaners with tungsten-tipped blades engineered for the most demanding mining applications.
Martin Engineering global engineering manager for conveyor products Bert Erdmann said the acquisition would enable them to offer more variety to materials processors and mine operators.
“This deal represents one of our most significant strategic expansions of the last decade,” he said.
“The CVT product range is a smart fit for Martin, with designs that complement the existing portfolio of high-performance belt cleaners and conveyor products we’re renowned for. Now more than ever, whatever the industry, whatever the application and whatever the handling challenge, Martin has a solution to help customers reduce carryback, minimise maintenance and improve safety.”
Martin Engineering said the addition of CVT means it can supply non-urethane conveyor belt cleaners which will suit some of the popular, fully interchangeable designs already on the market. The company has confirmed the first models it will bring to the market are the Martin H1 Primary Belt Cleaner and Martin P2 and R2 Secondary Belt Cleaners. Australia, Brazil, Canada, India, Mexico, the USA and parts of Europe will be among the first to access the new products.
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Martin Engineering was founded in 1944 by Edwin F. Peterson, a foundry pattern maker in a small Illinois town. The initial idea for the company’s inception came as he watched co-workers struggle to overcome sand blockages on the foundry’s mold-making machines by pounding on the hoppers with hammers. He was troubled by the safety risks, equipment damage and loss of productivity that resulted. Those concerns prompted him to design the Vibrolator® Industrial Vibrator, which uses the rotation of a single steel ball in a hardened steel raceway, propelled by compressed air. Patented in 1949, it was the first of the innovative products introduced by Martin Engineering to solve problems in bulk materials handling, and remains today as one of the world’s most accepted vibrators to facilitate the movement of bulk solids. From its beginning, the firm has been a family-owned, privately-held company.
