Caterpillar D2 - How To Drive a D2 Part 2: Driving And Dozing Demonstration

How2-D2 Part 2: Driving, Dozing, Do's, Don'ts, Tips, and Tricks

[@vicmerle57]

I want to thank you so much Squatch! My Father in Law has an old 1960’s era Cat D5 standard shift. He is 89 years old and battling Cancer. He is in a very weakened state. Some grading and leveling work needed to be done on his property. I asked him if it was ok if I could try to clean up the area with his D5. He said ok, and he mentioned some of the very same pointers on what to do in order to operate the D5 correctly. It was my first time ever doing anything like this. I did have a spotter helping me in the area that I was working. So I think I did pretty good job. And I got the approval from my father in law, he said I did a good job and he smiled. So thank you Squatch so much for your video. It helped me a great deal!👍

[@andrewh5988]

I operated a D11 dozer for a lot of years but I enjoyed you more running that little dozer. Thanks for the video

[@Bushguyrocks]

I gotta tell ya. That was one of the very best dozer videos I have seen on youtube. Absolutely loved it.

[@jdgimpa]

Great instruction. I am amazed how clean that cat runs. It is a testament to your restoration skills.

[@raymondkoonce5827]

That's actually quite fascinating. The similarities to landing a complex airplane are more numerous than I'd imagined. It's all about fine control of the assets available to the operator. Many differences, of course, but control methodology is much the same. Close to the ground, descending at 5 or 600 feet per minute, holding 130 mph (VERY IMPORTANT), keeping the engines synchronized, feeling when to slow down to 90 into the flare and touchdown, and more. Most enjoyable. If I wasn't so darned old, I swear I'd buy a small Cat to play with. Thank you, good sir!

[@paradiseroad6405]

...this takes me back 43 years to when I earned my AAS degree in diesel mechanics...our school had a D2...a D4...and a D6...and we took in a D8 to work on...it was great fun playing with them when we got the chance...I have used torque converter crawlers since then...but never have had the chance to use a manual clutch model again...miss those good old days...

[@barttimmerman6077]

Thank you for posting these how to videos, I had some basic knowledge of how these work, but this gave me a great understanding exactly how they work.

[@ampman3228]

Thank you for these videos. I’ve got my grandfather’s mid 50s 5uD2. It is very similar to yours but with a different blade. I think it can flip around to pull a tool bar and deep soiler. It saw heavy use early on but I’m in my 40’s and have only seen in ran twice. Grandpa is gone. I was never around when he messed with it! I’d love to get it working again and use it on the farm. Seems like I only get free time in the winter and I don’t have a good heated shop. I think it was ran 20 years ago...everything still seems free and it’s inside. Maybe someday, I did hunt down and find all the manuals. I wish I had your metal working and mechanical skills...Anyway your videos are great! Thanks so much for taking the time to do them.

[@kevinbooth2063]

Squatch, Sweet great tutorial on operating a D2. I learned so much I am surprised that I have not shredded my clutch disc. Thanks

[@robertrogish1038]

You are a good operator and take good care of your machinery. It was 73 and Dad let me drop the blade on a D-8 - what a thrill for a kid. He said, lift the blade when the Cat bogs down because my idea was to pour on the coal. Thank you for the great video !!

[@tractorhyatt7044]

Looks like a lot of fun, but requires a ton of practice! Squatch, you are a natural on that thing. Appreciate the demonstration. 🚜👍

[@TheJstewart2010]

What a great video. I really appreciate your talking through all the things you're watching and listening for while running the machine. Watching all the adjustments to direction, blade height, etc. as they happen in real time, I'm really impressed with how smooth you are.

[@douglasskersick9598]

My dad used to run cats and he always told me it's in the seat to making a smooooth cut...lol....he is 82 now and just bought a 450c...he is in heaven...lol

[@lewiemcneely9143]

He's right! You run one by your butt! And he's got me beat but you're never too old if you've got diesel in your veins!

[@cwdtransport2247]

We are the same age 1938. In have my 555 Ford backhoe to help the neighbors out. ChiefD

[@Mmmyess]

"Where your posterior interfaces with the seat cushion is your main sensor." lol... (4:08)

[@Fatamus]

An old Dozer hand told me the same thing about 400 years ago - operate with your butt. Then I learned you fly a jet with your nose because you needed to lead the G-force. And you drive a car with your shoulders ... leaning into corners

[@danielheddon1123]

Thanks Squatch, Nice training video!! The Tip I didn't know was, when stationary and running, to leave the gearbox in neutral w the clutch engaged. This may be why my clutch is slipping and needs to be adjusted. You are a very thorough teacher. I like the different views and angles of the same "push" . Nicely done.

[@digitalshackonthelane]

No lack of power in that old iron mistress! What a kackling beast! Love this how to series! Great work!

[@davidmoore5021]

I’ve been a logger all my life and the 1st cat I set chokers behind was a D6 with a cable blade. Over the years I’ve run D6, D7 and D8s. They only use cats for road building now days. It’s really nice to see the old iron working. Thanks for sharing. Dave from Rainier OR.

[@logdog8920]

Thats a nice clean little D2. I can relate to that because "back in the day" my dad and I had a D4-7U that I had alot of "seat time" on dozing and logging.

[@andrewbrenneman9592]

WONDERFUL! Brought me back to riding with my dad on his D2. I miss dad & his D2. Thank you for the ride down memory lane.

[@richardwestwell4902]

Experts always make it look easy. It's not until you try it yourself that you realise how good the expert operator is.

[@richardgreen7811]

You did a great job with this video. Best explanation of dozer operating controls I've seen yet. As you have seen, many of us are envious and would love to operate equipment again. If I had my choice of any dozer, it would be the D2. BTW, if you go to the airport in Peoria, they have an early CAT on a 4 foot display pedestal.

[@tomheringer2047]

Great instructional video! I would, however, refrain from using a term like "stab the brake" when teaching its use to novices. I have thousands of hours of operating Cat D6's, IH TD14's, and AC HD-11's pulling implements on a farm back in the 60's and 70's. As you stated, if the tractor is under a load, it rarely requires supplemental braking to help it turn, but under no load to light-medium load situations it will require a smooth application of brake and adjusting the pressure as necessary to achieve the desired rate and degree of turn. I want to compliment you on your beautifully restored D2. She is absolutely gorgeous!

[@veiledzorba]

My experience in running a dozer is limited to the Mighty Tonka T-6, which must be bigger than a D2 since it has a higher number! More seriously, I really appreciate this video, and esp. the alternate angle videos. It'd take me quite awhile to learn how to run that thing, but what fun!

[@willhart7861]

Outstanding job! You did a great job explaining everything going on and your camera work was excellent! This brought back a lot of memories for me. I grew up on a cat d4,hanging onto my grandpa while he dozed roads for us! I rode on the winch lol

[@chuckhaynes6458]

I did a lot of pioneering with my 5J (same blade as yours). Challenging to say the least. Had I not previously had an AC HD-7W (also short) with a Baker blade It would have been far more difficult. Cutting a road across the side of a hill without a 6 way blade is becoming a bit of a lost art. I learned from cable tool Catskinners who logged and built mining roads. Great to see you taking the time to teach others. Thanks for posting.

[@seastacker8582]

Man. Thanks for taking the time to put this together. I watch a lot of your videos and always had a good idea what all the levers did, but now we all really know. It looks like a work out driving one of these things! Back from a day when men were men! Thanks again.

[@cassiuspuckett8789]

Boy, do I love to watch an expert operate a piece of machinery. You did a nice job of explaining the operation as well as showed what experience teaches you. Loved the video. But I could tell that you were literally running that Cat by the seat of your pants. You knew just when you need to make an adjustment weather it was the clutch/ brake combination or lift/ lower the blade. It was beautiful to watch you operate the Cat. Awesome job and awesome video. Thanks for sharing.....

[@rcas350pilot8]

Great vid, luv the sound. I got to operate a giant CAT forklift once. That machine could lift the tractor of an 18 wheeler. What a blast, will never forget that experience.

[@onecoolstorybro]

Hi, so i live in a city apartment as concrete jungle as you can imagine, have an office job i'll never leave, and here I am astutely listening this video and taking notes "just in case". Ser, thank you.

[@olspanner]

Thanks for the driving lesson , now if only I had a dozer! By the way that D2 is probably cleaner than my car, at the best of times.

[@rmsflorida]

Thank You ...You help Me out ....Explaining what Iwas doing wrong. Great viedo.

[@kennolte5801]

Excellent job of explaining the use of a short track machine. You make great use of the old iron.

[@slhasebroock]

That was awesome, P1 and P2! What a symphony of levers, clutches, brakes to get her to do what you want. Very cool to watch. Enjoyed the different camera shots too. Almost like sitting in the D2! :-)

[@l0jack]

I worked for a home builder through high school, college and a few years thereafter before starting my career and was fortunate to cut my teeth on almost that exact same D2. We had 2 of them. The one with the blade was a bit newer and had a wet clutch. The older one with less hours had a bucket an power take off. I’d run it with a bush hog to clear brush. I backfilled a lot of basements, spread topsoil and cleared land with that dozer. The older D2 had a dry clutch and due to lack of use, the pressure plate became pitted. One winter I split the D2 and put in a new clutch. I loved running and fixing those machines as well as our 955K which was a beast. Now I have a 52 8N and a Kubota B2920 and have tried to but the D2 I used to run from the original owner. It hasn’t been used in over 20 years and is sitting in a barn waiting for me to bring it back to life! Great video and great memories.

[@mathewmolk2089]

It's been like 40 years since I ran one of those old timers, but one thing I do remember is you do all steering and run the clutch with the left hand (Both steering clutch levers) and you keep the right hand on the blade lever execpt when you use it for shifting. One other thing. I never jammed the steering levers all the way back and then stomped on the brakes. - I would have gotten fired, You move the levers and brake pedals SMOOTHLY. Gently pull the steering clutch lever back as you slowly apply the steering brake.and then slowly release the brake and then gently replace the steering lever fully forward. - A year later when they put me on a brand new D6 with the exception of the power shift and decel pedal you ran it the exact same way, SMOOTHLY.

[@michellehoefer5922]

Thank you for the video.I can't believe that after hours riding that seat your backs not sore-no matter how good the seat maker is!

[@mattelderca]

Such a great resource to refer to when you are learning these things! love you and your father, At 55 you guys teach me the things I thought I knew!

[@deannajoseph]

One I missed Squatch, great video, you had a good workout with that one.

[@bankaydin]

These vids are awesome. Thank you so much for the amount of work you put ito these. i guess I'm getting a D2... :D

[@jonathanolsen7254]

That is so Cool, I once had one myself had to sell it man I miss my old D2...

[@LeDibeau]

I will probably never own a small D2 dozer, let alone the land to play on it. But thanks to your detailed instructions I will be able to do it should I be able to. You never know ;-)

[@SuperMAZ007]

Really needed this video, it explained the basics and everything you need to know for dozing on your own.

[@mattprater7184]

Hi thanks for trying us newbies to driving a crawler and again showing what that cool D2 can do and cool seeing you use that well restored dozer, my dad had a hd 19 allis chalmers for many years he used it some when i was a kid it was a cool big dozer

[@jbj27406]

Reminds me of the old saw about being as busy as a one-legged man in an ass-kicking contest. Nice job.

[@garyfeltus9801]

That old cat sounds so sweet 😍 absolutely love that sound. Great teaching job. Thanks.

[@ronaldfutch508]

I really enjoy your videos and how you explain which anybody can easily understand, changing the focus of this video, I believe I saw some deer tracks at 3.35, I also really like to hunt. Keep up the videos and also operating a crawler has always been my favorite machine.

[@dearanel936]

A very impressive video you were very busy with the controls I find this to be very educational as well as Entertaining I thank you once again Your program has became the highlight of my day Keep up the good work I love it

[@humancattoy7767]

The Iron Mistress is making sweet music. She's got some diva in her.

[@arepadetrigo]

I really enjoyed watching this. You did an excellent job, both explaining and filming. It looks like a lot of fun and some considerable work to keep up with all those levers.

[@ojjenkins7110]

Thanks for the YT lesson on cat driving. I had fun watching Mitch Taylor show me how to drive a Model T as well. :-)

[@hans-jurgenwiegand7465]

The higher gears are for reverse, to get back to the next push. Cats always seemed faster than John Deers, in reverse, because they both had enough power to push what you bite off. It’s been a long time since I worked those controls, but I would love to be able to do it again. I only watched your video, because I’ve never seen a D-2, the smallest I’ve seen or operated was the D-3. Techniques really don’t change because of size. The smaller machines were for tighter areas, & finer elevations. I believe you are ready for the big ones, but they are more expensive to use. I would love to have that D-2, to use on my daughter’s gravel driveway, but I’d have to rent one, because I don’t have enough work to own it. You did a very good video 👍🏻!

[@duanequam7709]

Thanks for sharing. That was great. When grading or dosing your busier than a one arm paper hanger at a wall paper convention. Love your video's.

[@anibalbabilonia1867]

Definetly one of my favorite cat machine! Great job!😎👍

[@mikedavis5397]

Great video,especially like your new chest cam! Does a nice job, Thank You!

[@PEThurman]

Great video. Thank you for taking the time to do this video. Also, the explanation that you gave was excellent.

[@charlesward8196]

Great video, of course the noise level was high, but everything important was audible. During most of the video the blade lever was out of view, but the latter passes showed the blade lever work, so it was possible to see the balancing of pitching the machine up versus digging in too deep. That is one sweet looking and sounding tractor. Someday 5J1113 will look just as good!

[@jankotze1959]

At 10:30 I would drive that dozer right down into the bushes, you doing a great job

[@cmimportersandexporterspty3456]

Brilliant Training Video and explain perfectly. Well done!

[@GaryT1952]

Crikey mate, that's like patting your head and rubbing your belly at the same time, so much to do! Great upload as usual

[@BigAmp]

Beautiful presentation and beautiful looking and sounding machine. Well done!

[@joedoe-sedoe7977]

Love operating heavy equipment, makes a man realize he never grew up and you can say your working as your really playing

[@bobpaterson1845]

Really enjoyed seein how to operate the front blade only ever drove a D2 pullin a set of discs an harrows in tandem 👍💪💪

[@FURST420]

Getting s D2 is definitely on my bucket list 💯

[@lewiemcneely9143]

Good Job, Toby! A-PLUS! I didn't run a D-2 much but a 350 JD or a Case has about the same track frame and the more you run a machine you learn where the tipping point is and work your blade accordingly. You'll also learn that any bump you can blade smooth is one less the sore back has to do an OUCH with. Working the dam I just ran around and around blading as I went. The inspector wants the fill put in between 10 and 12 inches at a time and with a bunch of pans you were always knocking down and building up. You'll also learn that you really run one by your butt because you can't see the blade on a lot of tractors so it has to be by 'feel' as to where and how much your tipping point comes in, or rather, where you roll over it. And your timing will get good enough so you'll know what to do, even with your eyes closed. But it's a LOT of fun and will pay the light bill at the same time. I went from a D-4 to a 6B to a 7F and an 8H on the same job. That wasn't counting swapping out on pans and graders. The more you run the more you'll want to run. Gopher it! Hi Pop!

[@williamhays3322]

Many years of butt-seat interface on my wonderful John Deere 350s (about the size of a D2) in the woods, excavating, and pushing snow. I was always told to never let the steering levers 'snap back' to neutral. Dunno why, but never let them fly.

[@cwdtransport2247]

He is absolutely correct. If you picked an operator off a new hitech dozer, matter how good they are, they will be lost for a time as that D2 won’t cooperate like the electronic dozer. You learn on an old machine nothing will trip you up. ChiefD

[@andyroo4887]

Fantastic demo! Really makes me want to get one!

[@mnmarlin6074]

Excellent, never having been around heavy equipment at least now I have a basic understanding of how it functions. Not much time for site seeing when truly operating the dozer!

[@NEAFarmKid4010]

Another awesome video. I never get tired of watching them, and I never knew how much thought went into dozing out a path like that. I have but one video request. I was re-watching the walkaround video you did on the RD6 #2H1768 and I was just wondering. If you plan on rebuilding the original pony motor that came on it, could you do a video series on that? I just find it interesting. Thanks for all of the awesome content!

[@pwaletzko]

Oh the machine like precision of your magical hands!

[@peterscandlyn]

They'd be a busy little number to get a hold of first off. Thanks for that start up, by the way. Saw my Dad doing this probably 'bout 65 years ago.

[@peebee143]

You've perfectly described what we used to call driving by the seat of your pants.

[@robertinscoe2379]

Man you sure stay busy running one of those. If you get a minute check out JayPay dirt running a D9 man oh man what a difference in size. I think you are working harder on your D2 then he is. Thanks for the how2-D2.

[@KubotaManDan]

Excellent how to drive and part 1 the control's, may need these skills in the post apocalyptic world

[@jenniferwhitewolf3784]

Nose pitch control on the small machines always a bugger. I have a BX23 compact short wheelbase tractor with front end loader... and that short wheelbase on irregular surfaces is a constant battle when trying to level out a surface. Your D2 skills are right on top. This old gal would love to try one sometime.

[@clinttanner4645]

Your having to much fun! Never run a dozer but Im jealous!

[@stuartomant4033]

Bulldozers are great fun to use but you need to take your time and do not rush things

[@lewiemcneely9143]

@@stuartomant4033 Yessir. Being 'cool' will get you hurt!

[@stuartomant4033]

@@lewiemcneely9143 Me and my father have a Cat D4D what is a great bulldozer but growing up around using machinery you learn how to drive it safely

[@lewiemcneely9143]

@@stuartomant4033 A 4-D is a FINE machine and you learn fast if you get scared a lot. I got scared a lot.

[@stuartomant4033]

@@lewiemcneely9143 I learnt from a young age on how to use it

[@rolandmohler7785]

I have found that keeping your path smooth is the most important thing. Sometimes especially for beginners back dragging occasionally will level some of the humps out. This makes it easier for the next few passes making the total production greater.

[@allenkuns6552]

Love your videos. I have a 1950 D2, just had to rebuild the hydraulic cylinders, there was so much play that I couldn't make a straight cut. Doing a complete upgrade to the mounting too. Hope it will do a much better job when finished.

[@grahampeters6609]

Just to confuse the issue, when pulling disk's down a decent slope we pulled on the left steering cluth lever to veer right and same for the right clutch to veer to the left, this is because the free wheeling track runs faster than the driven track great fun but on a crawler tractor but lots of dust in the face. Have a good day all from NZ

[@byronfitch6444]

When I was trained 70 yrs ago that process for going down steep hills was called reverse steering.

[@grahampeters6609]

​@@byronfitch6444 Hi Byron I'm 64 in just over 2 weeks, it was a big saving on steering brke bands, I mainly drove T6 and TD6 but also spent some time on D4 5u and TD9B You have a great day

[@1crazynordlander]

Great video. After driving a skidsteer for numerous years It would be quite a challenge to run your D2, but like anything I think I could get used to it in a short period of time. It would be fun if you could take someone who never drove anything but a car or bike, show him/her this video (starting procedure video first) and turn he/she loose on your cold D2 (with your watchful eye) and see if he/she could run it without your help. Upcoming video maybe?

[@mattthescrapwhisperer]

My old 57 Case 310 dozer pitched the same way. I made a lot of wash board grades until I finally figured out how to finesse the machine to doze smoothly.

[@mariamaniscalco7413]

A great how to thank ya very much for the how to on the D2.

[@12DGJB21]

Thank you! Your new camera is awesome!

[@GregPlaugherDCChiropractor]

Great video and helpful.

[@ostlandr]

I really want my own dozer. Northern Tool sells a 35 horse with a six way blade and a Category 1 hitch and PTO, which would be perfect- but $23,000 is a LOT of money.

[@CZUNIGA36]

Thanks for teaching. Thanks for your time. Gracias...

[@zenith3556]

Very interesting, keep up the good work.

[@Huskiedrive361]

Wow, great video! You should be an instructor! Keep up the good work, really enjoy the channel.

[@railroadman57]

I was taught you operate a dozer with the seat of your pants . Great videos

[@Masteruhfnon]

freakin awesome love it. wish i had one

[@seanworkman431]

That was just fantastic. Love your work.

[@gianelio828]

Bellissimo, complimenti.

[@johnwythe1409]

Very good video. I had no problems hearing you over the engine noise. Have you ever thought of dubbing over the audio, or better yet add a second track of audio, then you can tone down the original audio/engine noise, and add in your voice on the second track? Would depend on what you use for video editing, if it has that feature. Keep up the good work!

[@gator19601123]

Sasquatch you need to get a book I read years ago. It's called bulldozer by Stephan W. Meader. I read it over 40+ years ago and have a copy still to this day.

[@donaldmack7213]

I read that book in high school in the late 60’s. Could not wait to get a dozer. Finally in 2000 when money was not so tight, I bought an Oliver OC 4 with a dozer blade! Love it! Basically I play around with it. Fun machine and I can haul it around on a tandem wheel trailer and a half ton pickup!

[@gus6rocks]

driving that is busier than a one armed paper hanger with the crabs.

[@regsparkes6507]

I miss I could get to operate a dozer again soon; I miss that fun!

[@FURST420]

Would you consider making a similar video with the RD6 ?

[@lukestrasser]

Great video Squatch. The SP transmissions in a D2 I find are a little fast in 3rd for dirt work, I'm not certain if 1st and 2nd are any different or not in a SP D2 but man 3rd and 4th are fast compared to a non SP gearbox. Maybe they're not that different, I'm just too slow as an operator. However 3rd pulling a disc or a harrow seems to be just about right behind a SP D2. Hope all is well!

[@lukestrasser]

@@squatch253 I too find that stuff really interesting, I didn't have the road speeds in each gear accessible but those numbers check with what I remember from running a SP D2. Didn't mean to make extra work for you looking that up, but thank you so much for sharing! Funny aside, at the time my friend who owned the D2 thought SP was for Special Performance and assumed that's why it was so fast.

[@RADIOACTIVEMASCULINITY]

Excellent instructional videos!

[@charlescastle5566]

Great video. Keep them coming.