Cummins Unveils 1,300hp S29 Engine for Large Mining Trucks and Excavators

Cummins has introduced a new 29-litre mining engine designed for haul trucks and excavators, targeting lower fuel consumption, greater power density and compatibility with alternative fuels. The S29 is expected to become available globally in late 2027.

Cummins has unveiled its new S29 mining engine, a 29-litre V12 platform developed for large mining equipment, including haul trucks weighing between 90 and 120 tonnes and excavators in the 150- to 220-tonne class.

The engine was launched at the Chongqing Cummins Engine Plant in China on 28 October 2026. It represents a clean-sheet development, meaning engineers designed the platform around mining equipment requirements rather than adapting an existing engine.

The S29 delivers up to 1,300 horsepower (969 kW) at 2,100 rpm, with peak torque of 6,000 Nm. Cummins says its compact installation package gives equipment manufacturers greater flexibility when integrating the engine into different machine designs.

Beyond haul trucks and excavators, the platform can also serve surface miners, bulldozers, wheel loaders and dewatering pumps.

Fuel efficiency and alternative fuel compatibility

Fuel consumption was a central consideration in the S29's development. Cummins is targeting a best-point brake-specific fuel consumption (BSFC) of 180 grams per kilowatt-hour.

BSFC measures how much fuel an engine consumes to produce a unit of power. A lower figure generally indicates better fuel efficiency. For mining companies operating large fleets over long shifts, improvements in fuel consumption can have a direct effect on operating costs.

The engine is also designed to accommodate different fuel strategies. At launch, Cummins plans compatibility with conventional diesel, hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) and biodiesel blends of up to B50.

The company is also designing the platform to support potential future natural gas, hydrogen and dual-fuel configurations. These options could give equipment manufacturers and mining operators more flexibility as fuel availability and emissions requirements change.

Designed for demanding mining conditions

Cummins has developed the S29 for operations in remote and challenging environments, where equipment reliability and access to maintenance support can affect production.

The engine is designed to maintain full power at altitudes of up to 3,000 metres without derating. It can also start in temperatures as low as -25°C without auxiliary preheating.

Its engineering features include an integrated pre-lubrication pump that circulates oil before startup to reduce wear on engine components. A dual-pump, dual-loop cooling system supports temperature control, while three spin-on oil filters help maintain lubrication cleanliness.

Cummins has also incorporated electronic monitoring systems to help identify potential issues earlier and support equipment uptime.

Global availability expected in 2027

The S29 is planned for global availability in late 2027 in markets requiring China Stage III, equivalent to US EPA Tier 2 emissions standards, as well as non-certified emissions configurations.

Cummins is continuing development and field testing ahead of commercial availability. The company plans to display the engine at bauma China in Shanghai from 23 to 27 November 2026. Read about More Mining Tech HERE