The period of open pit mining development in Kuzbass (Western Siberia, Russia) until the mid-1990s was characterized by the application of rope and hydraulic shovels in coal-bearing zones, the work of which is not effective enough due to a decrease in productivity in mining operations, high losses and dilution of coal. The supply of this type of excavators was fully provided by Russian excavators' manufacturers. With the transition to market relations since the early 90's, in the coal industry of the Kuzbass two interrelated phenomena have occurred. First, the restructuring of coal industry and the massive privatization of licensed development of explored deposits forced a sharp increase in the open pit construction (from 24 in the early 1990's to 62 now). Secondly, the bankruptcy of excavators' manufacturers led to a reduction in the volume of production of domestic rope shovels. So the problem of defining the conditions of hydraulic backhoes use in the coal-bearing zones became very important.