HFT was first to introduce a self-propelled grape harvester into Japan, delivering the CNH Braud unit in October 2005 to for Tsurunuma Winery, a vineyard directly managed by the Japanese wine producer Hokkaido Wine.

Tsurunuma Winery began operations in 1972 as an experimental farm for the production of wine grapes. It now boasts the largest vineyard in Japan in terms of cultivated area and grape production.

Wine was produced with the grapes one month after they were collected by the harvester. The fruity wine that was produced, called hatsushibori or “first squeeze,” is already in the market.