Few names are more synonymous with mining than Cummins. Founded by American inventor and entrepreneur Clessie Cummins in 1919, the company has a history of pioneering the right solutions at the right times, from the first diesel engines used in mining equipment to next-generation alternative power technologies. The global mining industry relies on Cummins for superior power density, leading total cost of ownership (TCO), and advanced decarbonisation solutions. As the company celebrates its first century supporting miners, here is a look back at how it went from homegrown designs to developing the most powerful mining engine on the market today, plus some of its most notable developments to date.
Humble beginnings
The Cummins Engine Company had a tumultuous first decade. Clessie Cummins, backed by banker William G. Irwin, was determined to prove that diesel was a reliable and efficient alternative to steam power. One of his first entirely homegrown designs, a four-cylinder Model F engine, was used in a power shovel excavator for Northwest Engineering in 1926.
Although the Model F had performed well when pulling heavy loads at constant speeds, the power shovel exposed two key design weaknesses: the valve train components were exposed and tended to wear out quickly in harsh environments. In addition, it featured the first Cummins direct fuel-injection system, which impressed operators but shortened the life of the power cylinder.
Cummins learned from these lessons quickly, introducing the six-cylinder Model U in 1928. Among the world’s first fully enclosed diesel engines, it featured vertical valves and a more dependable single-disc pump.
The following year, Cummins began production of the Model K, an 'upsized' version of the Model U. This engine and its descendants – KO, L, and LR – would go on to serve miners for the next four decades. A long history of innovation had begun.
This is a preview of an article that was originally published in the March 2026 issue of Global Mining Review. Subscribe to Global Mining Review for free to read this article in full and many more here.