The use of hydraulic power offers an alternative to more conventional power transmission system in the design of new high capacity power shovels. This article describes a program to extend the use of hydraulics (hydrostatics) in mining shovels that has been launched by Marion Power Shovel Co. Ltd. This company has already manufactured two large mining shovels which incorporate hydrostatics to power the propel function. Hydrostatics is also being incorporated in several 20 cu yd machines to power both propel and crowd force. The new ″Superfront″ shovels, apart from innovations in geometry have hydrostatics on both crowd and propel systems.