Design Features of Komatsu's New D65-12 Bulldozer, A New Turning Point in Bulldozer Technology

Komatsu's bulldozer D65 has undergone a full-scale model change for the first time in 22 years into a new model D65-12. This new model bulldozer has been developed to comply with the company's desired design philosophy “Friendly to People, Kind to People”. A “Revolutionary” advancement was achieved in comparison with the conventional ones which were developed and improved by producers' focus on productivity and economical efficiency.

This model change not only has allowed production of a new-age bulldozer equipped with “Strength” and “Friendly to People”, but also has created a new turning point in Komatsu's bulldozer development. To realize this new bulldozer development, a number of new technologies and patents have been devised and put to practical use. This paper presents Komatsu's design philosophy and major new bulldozer technologies put to practical use.