Komatsu initiatives

Komatsu had previously not devoted much thought to using bulldozers in agricultural work, but this recovery collaboration with farmers and local support organizations uncovered useful ways to use these machines and exploration of new possibilities. The first step for Komatsu was to listen to all requests for improvements and to demonstrate the technology.

Surveys of the disaster-affected farmland revealed fissures and uneven ground that would prevent the operation of standard agricultural machinery. If the cracks in the rice paddies remain unresolved, the water will drain away, making rice cultivation impossible. Bulldozers are construction machines that excel at leveling the ground and compacting it appropriately, which seems to make them ideal for this challenge.

GNSS (*) captures information from multiple satellites, and the unevenness of the ground is converted into data. Using all these data, the blade is raised and lowered automatically. With just minimum training, even those with little experience can operate the machine like an experienced agricultural bulldozer operator. 
*Global Navigation Satellite System

Agricultural bulldozers are saving both labor and time, and opening up new possibilities. By sharing what we have learned with farmers throughout the Noto area, we hope to bring the entire peninsula together and advance toward recovery. This will also benefit local communities. As we meet and overcome various challenges such as optimizing the blade shape for their needs, Komatsu aims to better support Noto agriculture.

GNSS surveying technology and other high-precision information communication technologies automatically control the height and tilt of the blade, making it easy for even novices to perform leveling work with a high degree of accuracy. Machine operators can easily check the field leveling map on the vehicle monitor or at home on their personal computer.

The superb leveling performance, workability in wet fields, and high traction are inherent strenghts of the bulldozer. It also features ease of mounting and changing rear-mounted attachments facilitated by the use of 3-point linkage, quick coupler and rear PTO (Power Take-Off).
Level and height of the rear hitch attachment can also be automatically controlled using ICT. (This functionality requires changing the GNSS antenna to match the rear attachment.) 
*Komatsu offers an air-conditioned cab model for sale; however, the Canopy-equipped version in the photos is not available for purchase.

Hideaki Makino, Komatsu
When I met Ura-san and others in the agricultural industry in the wake of this disaster, I was reminded of their high expectations of us as a manufacturer of construction machinery.
We need to repair not only the fissures, ridges and other quake damage to their fields, but also respond to their hopes to combine and enlarge plots or redesign farmland and pastures.
I want to make their dreams a come true – as quickly and as many as possible. With a more accurate understanding of the needs and desires of these producers, we can create ever better products, and someday soon, Komatsu construction machinery will be a familiar part of the Noto farmscape.

Norio Mitani, Komatsu
Above all we wanted to respond as quickly as possible to the needs of the affected farmers. In agriculture, work is on a strict timetable. We had to accelerate our response if we did not want to miss that critical timing. 
In demonstration tests prior to the earthquake, we learned that our construction machinery could be quite effective in field leveling work. We envisioned our agricultural bulldozers repairing and improving not only rice paddies, but also other damaged farm fields and livestock pastures. Leveling increases productivity. Increased productivity increases yields. Creating this positive cycle is the heart of the concept behind our restoration support. And our work goes on. We will continue exchanging ideas with farmers and INATO, and we’ll move forward step by step to full recovery and beyond.