1970
Since this era, the focus of domestic demand gradually started shifting from bulldozers to hydraulic shovels. Additional considerations, such as ease of operation, also became an important aspect of design.
JH80B was developed as a model that was positioned between JH65 and JH90. It had a powerful bucket for excavation and exceled at navigating soft surfaces.
However, its mid size models struggled in the market while its small models were earning great reviews. In 1977, it became JH80C after having a model change that was unique to the Japanese market, which enabled it to secure a stable position in the industry. At the same time, the JH series came to the end and Komatsu started the 500 series.
JH80B Bucket capacity: 2.7m3, JH80C Bucket capacity: 3.1m3
Wheel loader
It was 1949 when the first wheel loader was manufactured in Japan, however, it was not until mid 1960's when Komatsu entered the wheel loader market aligning with International Harvester. From JH series in the beginning, to the 500 series, to Komatsu's original WA series, our wheel loaders have met the needs of construction sites by scaling up, coping with the environment and adopting advanced technology such as mechatronics and IT.
