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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000740761-10-000038.txt : 20100324
<SEC-HEADER>0000740761-10-000038.hdr.sgml : 20100324
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20100324153453
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000740761-10-000038
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20100323
FILED AS OF DATE:		20100324
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20100324

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Sullivan Timothy W
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001297857

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-00871
		FILM NUMBER:		10701748

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		PO BOX 500
		STREET 2:		1100 MILWAUKEE AVENUE
		CITY:			SOUTH MILWAUKEE
		STATE:			WI
		ZIP:			53172

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			BUCYRUS INTERNATIONAL INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000740761
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	MINING MACHINERY & EQUIP (NO OIL & GAS FIELD MACH & EQUIP) [3532]
		IRS NUMBER:				390188050
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		P O BOX 500
		STREET 2:		1100 MILWAUKEE AVENUE
		CITY:			SOUTH MILWAUKEE
		STATE:			WI
		ZIP:			53172-0500
		BUSINESS PHONE:		4147684000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		P O BOX 500
		STREET 2:		1100 MILWAUKEE AVENUE
		CITY:			SOUTH MILWAUKEE
		STATE:			WI
		ZIP:			53172-0500

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	BUCYRUS ERIE CO /DE
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19920703

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	BECOR WESTERN INC/DE
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19860901
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0303</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2010-03-23</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000740761</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>BUCYRUS INTERNATIONAL INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>BUCY</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001297857</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Sullivan Timothy W</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>PO BOX 500</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>1100 MILWAUKEE AVENUE</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>SOUTH MILWAUKEE</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>WI</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>53172</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>President and CEO</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2010-03-23</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>10000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>68.6128</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>40880</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F3"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>29658</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F4"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>5.482</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>13600</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F5"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>12900</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F6"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>70050</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F7"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>17500</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F8"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Stock Appreciation Rights</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>59.48</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F9"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2020-02-23</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>65700</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>65700</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Stock Appreciation Rights</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>13.52</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F10"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2019-02-24</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>284600</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>284600</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Stock Appreciation Rights</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>51.69</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F11"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2018-02-20</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>62200</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>62200</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Stock Appreciation Rights</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>28.52</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F12"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2017-02-21</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>62400</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>62400</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Stock Appreciation</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>19.882</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F13"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2016-02-16</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>201000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>201000</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">The sales reported in this Form 4 were effected persuant to a Rule 10b5-1 trading plan adopted by the reporting person on August 24, 2009.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">The price in Column 4 is a weighted average price.  The prices actually received ranged from $68.51 to $68.70.  The reporting person has provided to the issuer, and will provide to any security holder of the issuer, or the SEC staff, upon request, information regarding the number of shares sold at each price within the range for all transactions reported in this Form 4 utilizing an average weighted price.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">Grant to reporting person of &quot;base&quot; restricted stock under the Omnibus Incentive Plan 2007.  The &quot;base&quot; restricted stock vested on December 31, 2009.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F4">Grant to reporting person of &quot;premium&quot; restricted stock under the Omnibus Incentive Plan 2007.  The &quot;premium&quot; restricted stock fully vested on December 31, 2009.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F5">Grant to reporting person of restricted stock under the Omnibus Incentive Plan 2007.  The restricted stock vests on December 2010.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F6">Grant to reporting person of restricted stock under the Omnibus Incentive Plan 2007.  The restricted stock vests on December 2011.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F7">Grant to reporting person of restricted stock under the Omnibus Incentive Plan 2007.  The restricted stock vests on December 2012.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F8">Grant to reporting person of restricted stock under the Omnibus Incentive Plan 2007.  The restricted stock vests on December 2013.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F9">The stock appreciation rights are granted under the Omnibus Incentive Plan 2007 and will incrementally vest 10%, 15%, 25% and 50% respectively, on December 31, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F10">The stock appreciation rights are granted under the Omnibus Incentive Plan 2007 and will incrementally vest 10%, 15%, 25% and 50%, respectively, on December 31, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F11">The stock appreciation rights are granted under the Omnibus Incentive Plan 2007 and will incrementally vest 10%, 15%, 25% and 50%, respectively. on December 31, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F12">The stock appreciation rights are granted under the Omnibus Incentive Plan 2007 and will incrementally vest 10%, 15%, 25% and 50%, respectively, on December 31, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F13">The stock appreciation rights are granted under the Omnibus Incentive Plan 2007 and will incrementally vest 10%, 15%, 25% and 50%, respectively, on December 31, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/Timothy W. Sullivan</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2010-03-24</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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