Komatsu – Japanese manufacturer with roots in mining
Photo: JLPC / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0
Komatsu is one of the world's best-known manufacturers of construction and mining machines. The company has its origins in Japan and has spent more than a hundred years developing machines for construction sites, quarries, mines, road building and large-scale material handling.
In this part of our series on machine manufacturers, we take a closer look at Komatsu, the company's history and some of the machine types that have made the brand well known.
Komatsu – a brief history
Komatsu Ltd. was founded in 1921 in the city of Komatsu in Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan. The company grew out of Komatsu Iron Works, which manufactured equipment for mining operations within Takeuchi Mining Industry. When the operation became its own company, the foundation was laid for the Komatsu that would later grow into a global machine manufacturer.
The early connection to mining and heavy industry is still visible in the company's product range. Komatsu has not only developed machines for traditional construction work, but also larger machines for quarrying, mining and production environments where machines often work long shifts with high material flows.
Today, Komatsu's machine programme includes excavators, wheel loaders, bulldozers, dump trucks, motor graders and mining machines.
- Full name: Komatsu Ltd.
- Founded: 1921
- Origin: Komatsu, Ishikawa, Japan
- Background: Mining equipment and industrial machines
- Machine types: Excavators, wheel loaders, bulldozers, dump trucks, motor graders and mining machines
Komatsu excavators
Komatsu excavators are often identified by the model designation PC. The series covers several size classes, from smaller machines for tighter sites to larger tracked excavators for earthmoving, loading and heavier construction work.
Examples of models include the PC138, PC210, PC228, PC240 and PC360. Model names and suffixes can vary between markets, generations and specifications, but the PC designation is strongly associated with Komatsu's tracked excavators.
For machine owners, keeping track of the exact model, generation and serial number is often critical when matching spare parts. Hydraulics, cab components, covers, drive systems and electrical components can differ between versions even when the model designation looks similar.
Komatsu wheel loaders
Komatsu wheel loaders commonly use the designation WA. They are found in construction, quarrying, material handling, recycling and larger production environments.
Common model series include the WA320, WA380, WA470 and larger machines such as the WA500 and above. On the used parts market, components for wheel loaders are often in demand since the machines can accumulate many hours over their lifetime – from hydraulic cylinders and pumps to cab parts, electronics, axles and cooling systems.
Bulldozers and heavier machines
Komatsu also has a long history in bulldozers, often with the model designation D. Examples include the D37, D51, D61 and D65. Bulldozers are used in land clearing, road building, quarries and mining environments – conditions where undercarriage, blades, hydraulics and drivetrain are subjected to heavy wear.
Komatsu is also strongly associated with larger machines for mining and material handling, such as dump trucks and excavators for production in quarries and mines.
Timeline – Komatsu through the years
1921
Komatsu Ltd. is formed in Japan after the operation separates from Komatsu Iron Works.
1930s
The company develops early tractors and machines for the Japanese industrial and construction equipment market.
Post-war period
Komatsu broadens its production and becomes a key player in machines for reconstruction, infrastructure and industry.
1970s onwards
The company grows internationally and establishes itself in markets outside Japan.
2000s onwards
Komatsu continues to develop machines for construction, mining and material handling. Digital systems, connected machines and production monitoring become an increasingly important part of machine ownership.
Komatsu at Agrocon
Komatsu machines are found in many fleets across construction, quarrying, recycling and larger civil engineering projects. For anyone who owns or repairs a Komatsu, much of the challenge is finding the right part for the right machine – particularly for older models or machines with high hours.
At Agrocon we work with used spare parts from dismantled construction machines. When we dismantle a Komatsu, every part is inspected, documented and registered so it can be found in our stock. Examples of parts available from Komatsu machines:
Spare parts for Komatsu
Looking for spare parts for Komatsu? Search our stock directly or contact us if you need help finding the right part. The more information you have – model designation, serial number, part number and ideally a photo – the faster we can help.
Read also
Komatsu is not only known for construction and mining machines. The company also has a strong connection to forestry machines through Komatsu Forest and its operations in Umeå, Sweden.
Read more: Komatsu Forest – forestry machines with Swedish roots →