Big Brutus is the well known nickname of the 1850B Bucyrus-Erie electric shovel. It is the second largest model that was produced during the 60s and 70s. Today, it is still the largest heavy machinery of the sort in the United States, measuring of 160 feet in height and 11 million pounds in weight.

Big Brutus was operated and owned by the Pittsburg and Midway Coal Company from the early 60s until 1974, when it proved to be too expensive to use. In 1984, the company that owned this unit has decided to donate it, as well as a 16 acre land to authorities so a memorial could be created, celebrating the coal mining history of Southeast Kansas.

In 1987, Big Brutus was designated a Regional Historic Mechanical Engineering Landmark by the American Society of Engineers.