How to Run a Dozer With No Experience - CAT D6 Grade Control and Slope Assist Tutorial

I rented a CAT D6 bull dozer for one month to complete two driveways at the farm. I had zero bull dozer experience and was very intimidated about renting one and doing the driveways myself. In this video I show how it is possible to get professional level results without any experience, by taking advantage of the Grade Control and Slope Assist functions on the newer CAT dozers. Without them I don't think I could have achieved anywhere close to the results I did, especially in the amount of time I had. One thing is for sure, operating a dozer manually is much harder than it seems, especially if you are trying to grade and slope a driveway.
This video will give you some good tips if you have never operated a dozer before, or if you are an experienced dozer operator and are curious how the slope and grade control functions work. This is filmed from the lens of a person with no experience. Enjoy!
driftlessinwi

[@hoboonwheels]

I'd say that as a novice, you created one of the best tutorial videos on KZbin for dozers. Well done!

[@driftlessinwi]

Thank you!

[@morrislucero810]

Reminds me of a guy that went to construction company looking for a operator job. The Forman asked him if he had any experience. The guy answered I got 14 years one summer.

[@CDBesetsny]

Exactly! This is well done.

[@dozerboy67]

I started out on an old cable operated D6 that we bought surplus. Later on I operated a lot of D8’s and D9’s as well as 6’s and 7’s but we always worked with a grade setter or you just felt your way by the seat, I don’t know how else to describe it. Operating a dozer is a thinking man’s gig, and you have to be patient. Do the job in your mind before you even put the blade in the dirt. Great tutorial on the grade system, I never had anyone explain it that way, it would have been nice. Remember, after one day operating, you’re no longer a rookie! 😂 🙏💪🤙

[@burtbrooks7731]

It’s a good way to start learning how to operate a dozer and how to work it to your advantage 👍, I been running dozers since I was 8 years old I’m now 40 lol, it took me 20 plus years to get good as that computer is, when you don’t have 20 years to learn these sure have allowed homeowners to do their own dirt work👍 great job. If you have any questions I’d be happy to answer for ya!!

[@davidroberts8410]

Bet it would be costly for a homeowner to rent something that size. We have business insurance in case something goes wrong lol cuz homeowners insurance typically won't cover rental equipment and most dealers don't like renting to newbies

[@burtbrooks7731]

@@davidroberts8410 well believe it or not CAT rental company will only rent homeowners up to a D5K series size, and 320 size on the excavator side, D6 and bigger require extensive 5 years worth of references from other contractors and businesses you’ve done work for and you have to carry the insurance policy for it, but anything under that they will rent you whatever you want and the insurance is included in the rental price they give you, they will bring to you and pick it up, you just got to have a credit card on file and fill out the paperwork, and you’re good to go

[@kswis]

Been operating equipment since it was just levers, the whine of hydraulics, and the smell of an giant old diesel engine. I've began learning the newage way which is tougher than I thought it'd be. Fun but there's def a learning curve. Pushing a button and ignoring yrs of gentle nudges to the blade. Helluva time to be alive

[@kdw75]

Most frustrating job I ever did was trying to level out a friends property that was all river sand. I was using an old 1960's D6 and it was so hard not to get speed bumps all over the place. Going slower than you think you need too and always keep your blade loaded when grading is my advice.

[@jakes197]

keeping a steady hand in sand is tough . try getting it close then back dragging to finish .

[@LiLoTech]

Yes, going slow to stop all the chatter is some of the best advice I ever received.

[@davidroberts8410]

Normally you'd make your first cut on the high side so that material makes its way to the lower side. Then get it however flat you want it on the high side again and then finish it aka float it out. Dozer operator since 93

[@kenjett2434]

Nice tutorial I spent my life on heavy equipment but in my day it was all old school. Never had computer or electronic controls. Exactly like you said it took years of experience and muscle memory to master these machines. To operate these modern machines it would be like learning from scratch all over getting use to controls.

[@darthnatas953]

Whenever he was doing something new on a construction site, people would ask Dad, "Is that how you do that?", and he would reply, "I've never done it any other way."

[@gunsbutter6571]

It has always been a dream as a child to operate a dozer, I have been watching training and tutoring videos for a few weeks. Right now I'm considering going to get certified for it because it may give me a better shot. Hopefully, my money is right going to this school in New Hampshire I have always be a very patient and respectful person when it comes to learning things the right way.

[@ADHDAdventurer]

Don’t waste your time getting certified. I trained operators for years and those that came in saying they were certified were a joke. Best thing is to go to work for a company and learn while getting paid.

[@Patrick-jt4dk]

I have a dozer and excavation business for the past ten years now and I must say you have a very nice road you built. For someone who never ran a dozer or even for someone like myself who does this daily amazing job.

[@driftlessinwi]

I can't take much credit, the machine did most of work. The driveway has been great for 3 years now. Would definitely rent a D6 again with slope/grade assist. Thanks for comment!

[@CrossroadToCountry]

Cheating? No way! I bet they didn't walk to their own jobsite. I bet they didn't have a horse and buggy. I bet they didn't break the fallow ground they're going to build on with a mule team and a plow. If they did, they're "cheating". There are a lot of advantages to technology and some disadvantages but finding a way to more quickly and efficiently do a task isn't always a good thing but it's almost never a bad thing. Thanks for the tips. Just bought raw forested land and am on a learning journey myself. I wouldn't mind having one of those dozers as it's mountain land. Great Video!

[@richardjensen7186]

Great and very encouraging video. Don't pay any attention to the few naysayers. The whole point here is that you are not a professional (most professional operators aren't all that good either), but you CAN rely on the computer and get a professional (enough) result, saving yourself over $100,000 in the process. The "professionals" are, of course, upset by this. But results speak for themselves, and your video shows that you do not need to have 20 years of experience to achieve excellent results without the vast expense. Thank you for showing "the rest of us" that even something of this magnitude is within reach. And thank you, Cat, for creating such an awesome machine!

[@MoonMe00]

I’ve been running dozers with and without GPS for over 15 years and first off I agree that this video was cool! Great to watch and very informative for what it was intended for! Not to discourage anyone wanting to be an operator or do their own work…but….I however disagree that you can get an “excellent” result with little or no experience even with the GPS. The problem would be if and when the computer cuts out, auto stops working, issue with the program or grades, or maybe satellite interfaces because of the area or weather… (all these issues a lot more likely to happen before you have any mechanical problems with the dozer) Depending where you are it could take hours if not days to repair or get up and going. This is when that “20” years of experience comes in handy ;) At this point experience does matter if you want the job done right. Plus expensive will most likely get it to look almost as good as the GPS would! Or maybe they fix the issue themselves because they have the know how to do so. It’s all about what the operator feels on the seat and that unfortunately only comes with the many years these professionals have on the job sites. They’re are many different kinds of dirt, gravels, soils, and just understanding the job plans or grade stakes. Some people were just born for this or just have that strong understanding for the material and job while there will always be those who think they know better. It takes precision, awareness, paying attention to detail, multi tasking, and a lot of focus. It’s definitely not an easy job and could be very dangerous when working around coworkers, utility and gas lines, trenches, water edges and steep hills or cliffs. Not easy and sometimes very stressful because your being relied on or you need to just get the job done. Like anything in life that you want real bad or have a passion for, you’ll practice and do it everyday until you can be the best you can be at it. Anyways now I’m blabbing. All the best. Be careful out there and operate safely.

[@omgdbwhatadb5586]

I have been running a D1 at work sometimes, its brand new and has this slope assist. I had no clue how to make it function, didn't need it in the woods but I did play with it a little. For ditches, road surfaces, pad sites, I think it will be ideal, especially if one really learns it. I saved your video and will watch it all eventually.

[@vincentrolfe1384]

Your voicing and approach to teaching is exceptional along with the details of the computer in the CAT. Thanks

[@mikescaffo4850]

Caterpillar is the shit you got a great machine to work with and a good attitude well done

[@joebarbjb6668]

Now with a success, you can refer to yourself as an operator, rather than a driver. Anyone can drive a dozer. Looking at your grades and earth distribution you’re a competent operator.

[@driftlessinwi]

Thanks for the kind comment!

[@burtbrooks7731]

Cat is the only dozer with a offset seat, it’s a neck saver 👌👌

[@driftlessinwi]

Thanks for the note, I wasn't sure if all dozer's were like that.

[@burtbrooks7731]

@@driftlessinwi no problem if you ever have any questions I’d be more than happy to help any way I can👍 good luck and stay safe

[@burtbrooks7731]

Gettin the woops is what we call it😂 back dragging with your blade will take care of those gouge’s

[@rp1645]

Thank you so much for Doing this Training for beginners Dozer operator. I'm use to the JD 450-C, That was my start way back when. Those mounds you talk about boy Made lots of them. Lovers the JD (T) handle blade control from that time. you just turned/ Pushed the blade control for cuts. You must know how to operate the Dozer, because it was full throttle for any power to push dirt. the right foot was a clutch pedal. Most of my time was backfill on main line sewers, through Right of ways. we had International 125s on job too. a front end loader+ Dozer. then a Case 850 track Loader for pea gravel bed, and backfill. Will tell you Learned new things from you.

[@thewitness9305]

You can also just use one or the other, in other words you can use the side slope and still manually control the up/down slope of the blade or vice versa. These are super handy for sure.

[@travislindsey3928]

dude you may be a novice but you came out like a boss with the information and the video

[@kidcompany]

Great vid. If you did not keep saying you were a beginner, I would have thought were an experienced heavy equipment operator. Great overview / Tutorial. Thanks for doing it on your rental time. I'm motivated and going to rent one for my own project. Thanks!

[@driftlessinwi]

The D6 is a great machine, if you can get one like I had in the video you won't regret it, especially if you have a big project. I rented a D5k for another project recently when the D6 wasn't available and it wasn't nearly as capable (only a 20k lb machine)... but it did get into tight spaces. The D6 is the perfect size for a driveway that is longer than a couple hundred feet and that may need to go through some rocks or tree stumps. Thanks for the comment!

[@omgdbwhatadb5586]

I'm glad i found this video. We have 2 D1s at work with that slope assist option. When i first started running them, I could not find any good instructions for it. I hope you've found the options for the blade controls if the D6 has the same as the 1s. You can slow down those jerky controls. We have a new Deere that has transmission shift options.

[@amosmoses8718]

If you're willing to learn you can do almost anything you set your mind too, good job.

[@SixNickelRanch]

Well done. Very informative.

[@hjorleifuringason2778]

Good job. And also your are driving one of the best dozers ever made, the next gen D6

[@driftlessinwi]

Thanks!

[@hjorleifuringason2778]

@@aaronsharp8857 Im a dozer operator

[@goodboyringo9716]

Caterpillar doesn't think automatic setting is cheating or they wouldn't have put this option on the dozer. I think it's great. Same as bow hunters thinking a crossbow is cheating, dumb thinking ! Great video , I've not seen a youtube video showing this type of automatic setting.

[@solidname7839]

Traditional hunters look at modern bows with disgust

[@FishFind3000]

It makes CAT money so they don’t care. If it was so bad nobody would buy it and cat would drop the option.

[@moral64]

Wow thanks for sharing

[@donaldwhitten2438]

Great job

[@kimberlyjohnson1014]

Probably too late and you’re already done, but for the future coming from an operator standpoint, I always cut from the high side to the low side hog out all bulk material form driveway/roadway moving all of the material first and then come back and fine-tune everything but as you’re moving the bulk material, you need to form your slope on the high-end meaning you cut the slope letting material fall to low side of work area cut the slope. Figure out where your water is going to run if it’s going to have to be a swell or use a pipe

[@davidroberts8410]

Yup same as what I do

[@ravyarospinna8664]

Good job

[@tonydize3944]

That looks like fun

[@ronniemctaggart8722]

Cat put that decelerator in the machine for a reason

[@kramnoslaw4474]

I've always wanted to run a D11. I'll stick to my D6R lgp

[@jasonloos5010]

The seat is at an angle bc you typically have a ripper and it’s easier on your neck and back with a seat like that

[@muhammadayaz3507]

Nice one 👍

[@pacificchallenger9215]

The reason the seat is turned so it more comfortable looking over your shoulder if your ripping

[@LostCaper]

regarding the down slop...is that the Angle that the machine is on or is that angle that the blade is headed.

[@driftlessinwi]

It is the slope the blade will cut currently. So if you have a -6% (doesn't actually use negatives in computer, just an indication of going up or down) slope in computer and you are going downhill on a -10% slope, it won't cut. But, if the slope you are on is -5%, it will cut and make the hill steeper. Hope that helps!

[@end0828]

Good video 👍🏼

[@driftlessinwi]

Thanks 👍

[@traumatizedtyler702]

Awesome video!

[@cleokey]

Very nice information. Maybe next time there's a way to put a camera up front so we could get a better idea? Thanks

[@driftlessinwi]

Thanks for the feedback, I did have one up front looking at blade but it wasn't the best angle and was hard to really notice anything (the blade barely moves on something that big). There is a shot of that camera in very beginning. Thanks again!

[@cleokey]

@@driftlessinwi I didn't realize it was so difficult to see the blade actually cutting dirt from cab...drivers make this look easy. I rode with my uncle about 70 years ago cutting fire breaks on a D4 near Placerville CA, big adventure for a kid. 🙂

[@driftlessinwi]

I bet that was a good memory. It is initially a challenge to see, but you get used to it quickly and start to feel the blade working and can guage a lot by how much is rolling off and how hard the machine is working.

[@Unknown_Ooh]

What does a D6 rental cost look like? Straight from the dealer??

[@scott5747]

What was needed was shots outside the tractor as you're explaining.

[@driftlessinwi]

Yes, I need a camera crew, maybe someday. Thanks!

[@tylerarrigoni7700]

Cool video...I've got to rent one of these for a month. I have no idea where I'd use it but I need a D6+ in my life.

[@driftlessinwi]

You won't be disappointed 😀

[@beartechdeck]

Awesome video. I missed you. I know the dozer isn’t yours, You really need to make more videos because of all the awesome stuff you have. I definitely want to run a dozer after you said it was therapeutic. Why’d you have to rent the excavator when you have the wheeled one?

[@driftlessinwi]

I do own the CAT 323, but I plan to pass it on after I get the homesite and driveways done. My wheeled excavator is great for smaller jobs, but the 323 is about 7 times bigger, so it is more up to the task at hand :) I will get more videos up as I do interesting projects. I do have a new excavator coming, a CAT 306, that I plan to use to replace my skidsteers and current mini excavator (the wheeled Komatsu). That should make for some interesting videos. And yes, a bull dozer with classical music is very therapeutic 😌 Thanks for the comment!

[@beartechdeck]

@@driftlessinwi Oh okay and you’re welcome.

[@TheDirtyyoungman1]

Very cool video there, thanks for doing it. I and thinking of renting one myself to fix a dive way at my farm and clear some land for a barn-0-minium . I must say, I'm surprised you would slope your drive towards the up hill side. I was thinking it would be better going towards the down hill side so as to negate a need for a ditch. Is there a specific reason for that? Thanks again.

[@driftlessinwi]

Definitely slope into hill if you can, it will prevent ruts from forming and taking your gravel over the side. You will need culverts and have to take a bigger cut, ie move more material, but it keeps the large quantities of water from ever getting on the road, if you slope out the water has to cross the road. My road has held up great after 3 years and we have had major rain events of 3+"/hr

[@ironmonkey6856]

I started on d6h lever steer

[@floridamancomedy3151]

alright i rented the same dozer and started digging up my driveway like you said, and i hit a main water line and gas line and the township and some federal agencies are out here asking where or who told me how to operate this dozer what should i say?

[@driftlessinwi]

Good question, who told you to dig up your driveway with a dozer? Who did you obtain permission from? What waivers did you sign with rental company, or affirmations did you make? What insurance did you buy? I know you are being sarcastic, but a formal training video this is not. One should always operate within their comfort zone and take all necessary precautions and follow applicable laws before doing anything like this.

[@OriginalSirSpeaksAlot]

Play dumb as say that it's not your dozer or your land

[@CAT-fm3yf]

CATERPILLER 🇱🇷👍🇱🇷🇰🇷🇰🇷🇰🇷🇰🇷🇰🇷🇰🇷💯

[@ashrafali1146]

This machine I am leavll very good 100%operator.

[@gupp22]

Nice job rookie.

[@user-hs4uq1xr7n]

Самая лучшая техника ❤

[@robertschulz5293]

How long did you rent the dozer and what was the cost of the rental period?

[@driftlessinwi]

I had it for 5 weeks, about $6000 total, but I also had to add a rider to my insurance for $1000k to insure for a 3 month period

[@morromk7538]

So how did you get the rental company to drop it off? I thought you needed special training or insurance something else?

[@driftlessinwi]

They dropped it off and picked up. I did have to take out an insurance policy/rider with my farm's insurance. It was simple to do, but was pretty expensive. It was about $1k for insurance to cover the machine for 3 months. Insurance may be cheaper if you rent a cheaper machine. All together I paid about $7k (including insurance, diesel, and def) for a month and a week. Hope that helps!

[@morromk7538]

Soo extremely helpful you have been thank you 🙏. I plan to cut roads at my property but would only need a d3 or something. That grade control… soo sick looks easy once you get comfortable. We somber video very helpful

[@hugostiglitz8465]

I rented a dozer at United rentals and they dropped it off and picked it up for a fee of around 175 each way as I was close to their yard. I also bought rental protection plan for15% of the rental which covers theft and damage to the unit.

[@davesanford4798]

You always want to make the base wider than your. Finished product by a few feet

[@kimberyexcavatorkim142]

FC. From Thailand.

[@timgrov3]

So what was the rental cost and how much fuel does it burn per hour?

[@johnkenney3966]

Mines a greedy cow, nearly a tank a day on the work im doing.

[@mikegoff7506]

Wish the D6 I rented had that feature. It didn't, still got the job done though.

[@RSPYT]

The problem is that by letting it do it for you you Won’t ever learn how to do it yourself. I learnt on ones without any computers at all and nowadays I see new drivers turn up and always using the GPS and other things but when they get put on my old machines they haven’t got a clue how to keep a level. It’s all good being lazy and using computers but nothing beats practice haha.

[@driftlessinwi]

It probably still is good to get a lot of manual practice time in, if you are a pro. However, I do think that like with most things, technology starts taking out the menial work allowing humans to do the harder stuff, so like it or not these computers are probably here to stay. Just like how we aren't using slide rules anymore :) In addition, the computers and gps can allow for a much higher degree of accuracy/consistency, increasing production and quality of work. Thanks for the comment!

[@2xKTfc]

Nothing wrong with using the computer. Of course you don't learn the manual way with using the computer. But the goal is a driveway, not learning to run a dozer. It'd be great to learn that, but it's an investment that costs more rental time to learn - so you're paying on the rental for time in which you don't build any driveway for a purpose that is of no use. If he'd want to learn operating a dozer by hand it's easy to justify that cost (probably on a much smaller, much cheaper dozer) but that's not the goal here and of no use. And if the computer breaks, well, no paid time lost because you pay the rental company to get it working.

[@vinceramon7754]

True ...how to learn how to run it without GPS.. then when you get on GPS no problem but you always know how to run one without a GPS

[@trevorswim1565]

Have you had any wash out with your 9-13% areas with the geofabric?

[@driftlessinwi]

Yes! Just on a 13% part. I plan to put some webbing in that spot once the heavy trucks are done (still building house). The trucks really beat up the steep areas.

[@trevorswim1565]

@@driftlessinwi good to know. We are starting with a 25% grade but have a 400 ft run way we can push out to in order to level and my intention was to get to 9. With geo, base rock, crush run and compactor in hopes we would not have washout. Anything you would do different on 9%? It’s held up just fine with trucks?

[@driftlessinwi]

@@trevorswim1565 get out as much muck and clay before putting mat down, especially in flatter areas. Don't be afraid to go thick with your breaker rock, especially in low areas with lots of topsoil and clay. 9% is a good number, my 9% spots are doing great. Lastly, don't use the geo mat if you get down to really "boney" (rocky) stuff, you don't need it and it is more susceptible to washout on slopes if the underside of mat is too hard.

[@trevorswim1565]

@@driftlessinwi breaker rock of 2-3inch or more like 3-5 needed? Btw I appreciate your quick responses. Did you put only breaker rock down for construction or did you put crush and run as well and allow construction traffic to pack that in ? And no drivers/deliveries are complaining about the 9% gravel? I’ve had a few guys around here tell me that it’s very doubtful a concrete truck would want to drive that grade loaded gravel only.

[@driftlessinwi]

3-5 or more depending upon what's under the road. We just put breaker down, it has some crush in it. We are able to get the rock trucks, concrete trucks (awd ones), and a conveyor/pump truck up the driveway here. The main thing to consider is that rear wheel drive box trucks or tractor trailer trucks may not make it. So we typically unload materials at base and I take them up on a trailer, tractor with forks, and sometimes the construction crew uses the telehandler for large heavy lumber pallets. I am tempted to put some finer stone and crush down, even during construction, because breaker makes for an awfully bumpy ride until it is driven over a lot by concrete and rock trucks. If you don't exceed 9% I don't think you will have many issues. We have had some hair raising experiences with the conveyor truck, but I have 13% and a short spot of 14%.

[@josemiguellopezcamargo3186]

Deberías hacer la inclinación de la vía a lo contrario para que no se te hagan charcos

[@ginaerwin4865]

Cat makes some of the best machinery but I just cannot believe the design where you can't see anything but the right of the blade

[@naterussell6025]

hows the driveway holding up?

[@driftlessinwi]

It is actually holding up great, and it got slammed by lots of concrete trucks. We are still building, hopefully just a few more months, then I will do the finish gravel. I think the geo mat in the flats, the slope pitching into the hill instead of away from, and lots of culverts have made all the difference. We have had some big rains and still no washing out. Thanks for the comment!

[@official.phantomeance]

Thank you for this Tutorial 🫶🏼 you helped me a lot before my first day driving this machine :) greetings from Germany my man

[@CAT-fm3yf]

아메리카 아메리칸 캐릭터필러 넘버넘버원

[@Andy-je3el]

That’s great. But if that stuff breaks you’re shit out of luck

[@zirlianamatthew4598]

❤

[@charlesmullins3238]

Jump on a 11 and try it lol…them ol boys back on the strip job build roads with 10s and 11s and no one has a clue how hard that really is…

[@equipmentoperatorchannel2032]

👍👍👍👍 nice cat I Miz the equipment cat

[@faronbenmoonias3473]

I don’t see what you’re blade or how the position of the blade is at? 🤔🤔.

[@loafandjug321]

How much did it cost per day to rent that dozer?

[@driftlessinwi]

It was $5500/ month not including insurance... which was $1k for 90 days of coverage

[@loafandjug321]

@@driftlessinwi Ok, did you get any estimates to compare If hiring someone to do the work was about the same price as renting?

[@driftlessinwi]

Yes...kind of. My main issue was the project was too much for the few contractors I talked to. Their schedules were full and this project was big and needed to be done over months. I received a loose ballpark bid from a contractor who couldn't do it and it didn't even include tree clearing...I will finish up around 50% of that loose ballpark estimate, so yes, it was much cheaper to do myself than hire it out. On the flip side, it took a lot of time and effort and required going way out of my comfort zone. If you do it yourself, I think spending the money on a driveway engineer to make a plan and help with permitting is worth it.

[@loafandjug321]

@@driftlessinwi It's very difficult to find people to do quality work. My inlaw just had a wood wheelchair ramp built and it looks like a 4th grader built it. It's just $1,200 junk. One of the top rails doesn't even have a single screw to hold it down, he just laid it on top across two 4x4 post. No way it would ever pass a code or homeowner insurance inspection. Anyway, I have 80 acres that has several grading prijects that need to be done, that's how I found this video, searching youtube. Thanks for the info.

[@kennethgandy1376]

Use your decelerator don’t just shift it with the motor wide open. Nice vid though!

[@aaronsharp8857]

You don't shift them newer dozers

[@caseydark6097]

Just gotta say. Good job except when you said you were gonna slow down the machine for the ditch cut it sounded like you decelerated. Which makes you lose power. UNLESS you switched the mode to track speed. But it sounded like you decelerated.

[@driftlessinwi]

No, I just shifted to a lower gear for more torque

[@wardmills4939]

If you stop looking down at what has already gone past and start looking up at whats coming you will see what to do before its too late . Looking out front window you will see your nose rise and fall much easier

[@ronniemctaggart8722]

On the new dozers it's not muscles control it's all in your wrist you move your wrist very little

[@Coltin88]

Brooo I’ve been learning in an old ass d5k and those new dozers got cheat codes wtf 😳

[@driftlessinwi]

The manual way is hard :) the new machines are awesome. Fun either way though!

[@michaeldunagan8268]

Would not a "Road-Grader" been a better choice? I guess with computer assist....

[@driftlessinwi]

I needed to make a switchback too and had to clear 2 build sites, so the dozer was the best choice for me. I am sure a grader would work well though for most long driveways.

[@michaeldunagan8268]

@@driftlessinwi Ok. Computer kinda made a road grader out of the dozer too. Manuals I read from the US Army Engineers and other websitea from 20 or more years ago claim that IT CAN be done making fine adjustment In road building with a dozer, but a Road-Grader can't be beat for the purposes of final shaping.

[@bobbylee1427]

d6's are used for finish now just like a blade is (grader) @@michaeldunagan8268

[@user-oc8xs7hf8j]

انا سائق دوزر ابحث عن عمل خبره 20عام في جميع اعمال الفنيه والهندسيه والجبال

[@standupree5101]

You don't drive it you operate it

[@Jacob-zd4gj]

The only problem with that is these guys jump in the dozers and think they're operators, and then all of a sudden something happens with the computer and it sits because they don't actually know what they're going to do or how to do it.

[@driftlessinwi]

Without the computer, this would have been very difficult. If the computer wasn't working I would be getting the machine switched out by the rental company :) Oh, and I didn't trust the computer at first, but I got my laser out and a tape measure and measured my slope manually and it was right on. Operating a dozer certainly isn't for everyone, computer or not, but if one can drive a tractor or skidsteer they can probably figure it out in a pinch...with help from a computer. Without a computer they will need A LOT of practice! Thanks for the comment!

[@2xKTfc]

If the computer breaks the rental company comes in to fix it. On a jobsite you're right, on a personal driveway of someone who doesn't need or want to learn manual dozer work but just wants a driveway... a computer failure is someone else's problem.

[@amadiikechi4828]

The you need dozer operate

[@garretthaats9297]

Cats are touchy

[@dollarstoreretep4848]

Great video, feel like you spend too much time backing up. Flip your percentages when you turn around and work both ways. Wastes fuel and wears undercarriage.

[@driftlessinwi]

Thanks! I can't run both ways because I need to move dirt/material downhill to lessen slope...plus it is much easier keeping grade and pushing dirt downhill.

[@pearlriverfury2884]

I think you are a person that has been doing that long enough because the average person just starting out would not have all the stuff you said you have lasers bobcats wheel backhoe Unless you have a ton of money to waste Also you should have started with the excavator to dig the ditches then dress with the dozer

[@driftlessinwi]

Thanks for the comment. You are right on a couple points, one's first project with heavy equipment probably shouldn't be in a 50k lb dozer, and building anything during the Covid era probably takes more money than sense. That said, if one is a competent operator of any machine (including a farm tractor) doing what I did is not out of reach assuming one has the money to rent the equipment and takes the time to learn. On your last point, I do think the dozer is much more efficient cutting ditches over long distances, and you get the added benefit that the ditch is graded to match the road or whatever you punch into the grade/slope assist computer. It is much more difficult to do that with an excavator. Once my ditches were graded with the dozer, I found it easy to take my midi excavator through to clean up the side slopes. There wasn't enough room through the woods to get a dozer on the side slopes because I was trying to save as many trees as possible. Again, I am not a pro, but it worked the best for me.

[@rossgray3070]

Would have been far cheaper and quicker to hire in an experienced owner operator with their own machine, trust me I have operating dozers for over 50 yrs now and still doing it full time. You don't need grade control and all that to do a simple drive way like that, a good operator could do that with his eyes shut in half the time.

[@driftlessinwi]

If that was an option I would have taken it. I did get multiple bids on my driveway and I can say I saved around $70k doing it myself. Plus, what fun would it be to hire someone else? :) Thanks for the comment!

[@rossgray3070]

@@driftlessinwi Must have been an awfully long drive way to be able to save that much.

[@driftlessinwi]

@@rossgray3070 Yes, about 3700 ft long with a 250' elevation gain. I also made my brother's driveway too which was 400', and cleared two homesites. I definitely got my money's worth from the rental.

[@motorcitymadman146]

Soon they wont even need a operator... wait.

[@markcanfield7151]

Regin juvk

[@AbdulKhan-di4ei]

My uncle had this exact dozer I use to drive it when I was 6

[@bammersmith5993]

Lol that cheating.need to run a old cable D-8 cat .break in on something old .if you can run a dozer by listening to the sound of what the engine is doing that's a dozer operator.that engine sound will tell you what the blade is doing.

[@vinceramon7754]

This must be a NONUNION man trying to tell you how to run a dozer ,you just don't hop on it and do a little push dirt here a little push there, it's on the job training, starts out through Apprentice programs, good Union men are the best to teach you at the training sites and on the job

[@driftlessinwi]

Just a DIY homeowner here...thanks for the comment

[@vinceramon7754]

@@aaronsharp8857s obvioheusly you're a non union operator...whats your insurance benefits,apprentice program, yearly vacation check, pension check monthly after 30,35,40, years in the union, health insurance for life for you and wife & children under 18, but if they're still going to school after 18,they're covered. Paid for by the company u work for who pays into the union benefits fund..yes YOU can be a good NON Union Operator with NO BENEFITS,..

[@d3DirtworX]

A lot less talking and a lot more doing/showing would've been very helpful

[@xxaim2killxx138]

Imagine running a machine with grade control/Slope Assist.... If you need ''Assistance'' grading with a D6 you have no business on heavy equipment... Pretty soon they'll be able to hire anyone to take your job because now it requires no skill from the operator...... Yea great change.... Said no actual operator with a brain.......

[@driftlessinwi]

There are all kinds of assistance features on heavy equipment and farm machinery these days. I think they make one more productive and I also feel the accuracy they provide is worth it, especially on a dozer if you are working alone and don't have an extra guy with a laser checking your grade. For my situation, I was using the features to make up for the fact that I am not an operator but still wanted to DIY my driveway. I don't see this technology replacing good operators, just making them better. Thanks for the comment!