Japanese YouTuber & Part-Time Farmer Adopts FJD AT2 Max for Everyday Rice Farming
Mr. Kunii, based in Sukagawa City, Fukushima Prefecture, manages approximately four hectares of rice fields while running his agricultural YouTube channel, "Ma-ton TV # Kunii Rice".
From left to right: Kikuchi from the Fukushima dealership Fukuryo Agricultural Machinery, Mr. Kunii, and Kibushi from the main distributor FAG.
He started rice farming in 2019 with virtually no prior agricultural experience. Today, he manages his farmland alongside a full-time job, sharing day-to-day farming experiences, machinery tips, and practical gear with his viewers. Driven by a dedication to quality, his homegrown Koshihikari rice even earned an award at the prestigious 12th Rice Ranking Competition (お米番付) hosted by Kyoto's renowned Hachidaimet Gihei. Among the smart tools he decided to adopt was the FJDynamics AT2 Max Auto Steer System.
From self-installation and setup to everyday field operation, Kunii-san has experienced the system firsthand. When asked how he feels about it in real farming conditions, his response is simple:
“If it broke, I’d probably install it again. That’s how useful it is.”
So, what made the AT2 Max a tool he never wants to farm without? We spoke with Kunii-san about how auto steering became a seamless part of his daily workflow.
Starting Rice Farming with Zero Experience
Kunii-san’s agricultural journey began in 2019 when he took over the family rice farm following his father-in-law’s passing. With very limited agricultural background at the beginning, he faced a steep learning curve across all aspects of rice production.
To better understand and improve his operations over time, he began recording his fieldwork and uploading it to YouTube. Recording, editing, and archiving his daily farm work served as his personal learning log, while simultaneously creating a space to share practical experiences with fellow farmers.
Today, he is recognized as an agricultural YouTuber who shares hands-on insights about farm machinery and real-world field operations with other farmers.
“I Thought I’d Try Installing It Myself First”
When Kunii-san decided to adopt the AT2 Max, he chose to tackle the installation himself rather than leaving everything for the dealer. His approach was simple:
“I’ll try installing it myself first. If I run into trouble, I can always ask for support.”
The process proved surprisingly straightforward in places.
“When it comes to the wiring, it didn’t feel that different from connecting a TV or a game console.”
That isn't to say every step was effortless. Tractor designs vary significantly, requiring custom adjustments based on the specific machine. Kunii-san had to carefully navigate bracket positioning, avoid interference with original components, account for the turn-signal cancellation mechanism, and determine the optimal layout for wiring and the cab monitor.
However, taking a hands-on approach gave him a deeper understanding of the system's underlying structure and mechanics. Later, when he shared his AT2 Max installation and setup process on YouTube, viewers began reaching out with inquiries:
- "I want to install the same system on my tractor!"
- "Could you share more details about how you set it up?"
One farmer's real-world trial was already connecting with and inspiring the next.
How Auto Steering Changed His Everyday Work
Kunii-san does not leave every part of tractor operation to the AT2 Max. Instead, he uses automation where it makes the most sense. On straight passes, he engages in auto steering. At the edge of the field, he takes manual control to make the turn. Once the tractor lines up on the next pass, he engages in auto steering again.
Letting the system handle straight-line guidance while taking control where human judgment is needed has now become second nature to his workflow.
Before adopting the AT2 Max, driving straight required continuous micro-steering adjustments while keeping mental track of completed passes. With the AT2 Max handling those constant corrections during straight-line passes, the process is effortless. Furthermore, the in-cab display clearly visualizes where the tractor has traveled, making worked areas easy to identify and significantly reducing unnecessary overlap.Looking back at the various farm implements and tools he has acquired over the years, Kunii-san reflects:
“I’ve bought all kinds of farm equipment, but auto steering is by far one of the things where I’ve felt the biggest difference.”
For him, it is not simply another convenient feature—it has fundamentally upgraded his everyday farming routine.
“Even if it broke, I’d install it again. I don’t think I could go back to farming without it.”
Auto Steering Is Not Just for Large Farms
Auto steering is often associated with vast, consolidated fields like those in Hokkaido or large-scale enterprise operations. Kunii-san’s experience tells a completely different story.
Some of the rice plots he manages are around 0.1 hectare, while others are even smaller. While larger fields naturally yield maximum efficiency gains, smaller plots still benefit significantly.
Rather than trying to automate every maneuver, Kunii-san uses auto steering on straight runs while taking manual control in narrow corners and headland turns. The goal is not full automation; it is practical automation where it creates real value.
For him, that flexible balance alone provides immense value. In Japanese agriculture, where farms often consist of irregularly shaped and varied plot sizes, the ability to combine manual operation with smart guidance is far more practical than trying to automate every pass.
More Than Driving Straight: Creating More Breathing Room
Improved steering accuracy and reduced pass overlap are only part of what Kunii-san gained from the AT2 Max. Another major benefit is something less measurable, yet deeply impactful: more breathing room while working. During straight-line passes, he no longer needs to keep his hands glued to the wheel making constant micro-corrections. That frees up mental energy to monitor implement conditions, plan his next field moves, check urgent messages, reply to comments on his YouTube channel, or listen to educational content.
For a dual-income farmer balancing agricultural operations with a corporate job, peak-season time is at a premium. The value of automation goes far beyond a simple formula of "How many minutes did I save?" Instead, it raises a better question:
How much less demanding can that same hour in the tractor become?
By taking over repetitive steering corrections, auto steering reduces physical strain and mental fatigue during long working hours. For Kunii-san, that extra capacity is one of the system's greatest strengths.
“If I’m going to farm anyway, I want to enjoy it. If there are parts that can be made easier, I want to make them easier.”
He embraces technology where it adds genuine value—without handing complete control over to the machine. That pragmatic balance defines how Kunii-san chooses to farm.
Automation Makes Basic Driving Skills Even More Important
At the same time, Kunii-san does not focus solely on the convenience of auto steering. Real-world field conditions often bring unexpected challenges: tight spaces, field obstacles, muddy terrain, or equipment troubleshooting. That is why he strongly believes operators must maintain solid foundational driving skills.
- Master Manual Operation First: Understand how to maneuver and handle the tractor under challenging conditions.
- Delegate to Technology Second: Let automation take over repetitive, straight-line tasks where it adds efficiency.
Rather than choosing strictly between "manual" or "automated," Kunii-san seamlessly switches between both based on the situation at hand. For him, this flexible, hybrid approach represents what practical smart farming should truly look like.
"Even If It Broke, I'd Install It Again."
Kunii-san entered rice farming with almost no previous experience and has documented much of that learning process on YouTube. He approached the AT2 Max in much the same way: installing it himself, setting it up, and testing it through everyday use in real fields.
That is why his assessment does not come down to a complicated list of technical specifications. It comes down to one simple statement:
“Even if it broke, I’d install it again.”
- Less Fatigue: Reduces the need for constant, manual steering corrections during long working hours.
- Clear Visualization: Clearly shows completed work on-screen, significantly reducing unnecessary pass overlap.
- Flexible Utility: Delivers real value across both large and small Japanese fields when automated guidance and manual control are combined effectively.
- Mental Capacity: Creates a much-needed breathing room during busy, time-constrained farming seasons.
The true value of auto steering extends far beyond simply driving in a straight line—it is about making the work farmers repeat every day just a little bit easier. For Kunii-san, that is why the AT2 Max has become a technology worth keeping.
Beyond Auto Steering
Kunii-san's experience reflects a broader shift in smart agriculture—moving from standalone guidance tools toward an integrated, field-wide system.
FJDynamics is extending its core RTK-GNSS positioning technology beyond auto steering into applications like 3D land leveling for field preparation. Simultaneously, product development is streamlining the in-cab experience, consolidating multi-task controls into a single, intuitive interface to eliminate clutter.
The objective extends far beyond steering accuracy in isolation:
How can we make every stage of farming easier, more consistent, and more efficient?
For farmers like Kunii-san, the AT2 Max is already proving its daily value—reducing physical workload, improving pass consistency, and creating mental ease. This evolution marks FJDynamics’ path forward: transforming a tool that helps tractors drive straight into a unified ecosystem supporting the entire agricultural workflow.
Explore More
Discover how FJD AT2 Max and FJD precision farming solutions help simplify daily operations across rice farming, field preparation, and multi-task agricultural workflows.
👉 [Watch the full interview video]
👉 [Learn more about FJD Auto Steering Solutions]
👉 [Contact the FJD team for system compatibility and upgrade consultation]
