How to Operate a Bulldozer (ep. 061) 

Dozer vids always remind me of a story I read years ago about knowing what your skills are worth in the job market. A man arrives at a job site and talks to the boss. "I'm here about the ad for the dozer operator" "Good, the job pays $20 - $25 per hour so lets go see what you can do. I want you to grade down to the barrel then grade coming back". Man grades down to the barrel but leaves lots of little high and low spots. He makes the turn and the grade coming back would make a pool table jealous for how level it is. Boss comes over "you did a good job but it looks like it took you a little time to get used to the machine". "What do you mean"? asks the man. "Well coming back it's nice and smooth but going out it's a little choppy". "Oh. that's not getting used to the machine. Going out is $20 per hour, coming back is $25 per hour, do I get the job"?

I'm in training, and was on the dozer for the first time day before yesterday. Found out the hard way about that pivot point when I slammed the dozer over a rise that I thought wasn't large enough to be noticed, much less slam something as heavy as that dozer. Seemed loud enough that the instructor and the other students even inside their machines would have heard. LOL! Very startling. Too bad I didn't get to watch this video first. Our instructor uses a lot of your work in our training, keep up the great work!

I'm about to do a job for a Port authority with a dozer. It will be the 2nd time ever operating a dozer! The 1st time was at an Operating Engineering apprenticeship interview / competition, which I was offered the job but turned it down. Thank you for the video's. They have given me a good idea how not to/how to do this job. Thank you.

An awesome trainer. So beautifully explained. And also the camera-man and editor got superb skills in recording, cinematography and syncing all the shot futages. A strong and well balanced team.

Back blading is an art and has a purpose on fine grading ,smaller the dozer the harder to run. A tip for new guys,pick it up a gear and reduce your rpm to get a better grade. Add throttle and dump material if you feel it starting to bog down. Ive been a Cat skinner for 43 years now and still working.

Grading truly is something you can’t master unless you put in lots of hours practicing. By the time you can flatten land exactly how you imagine it or as required by a plan, it’s been three years or so.

It certainly looks a lot more comfy than what I learned to operate. Back in the late 80s/early 90s, my grandfather had an old Allis-Chalmers dozer. It was big, loud, stiff to control, and left you open to the elements. From the nostalgia perspective, I kind of miss the old beast. BUT, if I had a need to operate one these days, yours looks a lot more inviting............. :D

I am going to be enlarging our pond to a lake.This video is awesome on explaining it to newbies.

WOW! That dozer is a far cry from the Allis Chalmers HD-5 end loader and HD-15 dozer I used to run. The dozer was a cable lift machine that really gave you a workout in a ten hour day.

I was a operator, but I can still learn, you pointed out the tips and tools that we all use and they are so polished that they are often overlooked especially when it comes to training others, great video,, by the way on the if you had a wench on that machine the control is on your right side, the thing that was strange was that pushing the lever forward let cable out and pushing it back pulled it in,, opposite of all other machines,, messed with your mind late at night in the mud.

Im a grateful subscriber and you sir are a skilled trainer. Im not a heavy operator tho. I'm a local heavy haul Driver. My 1st year of have my CDL is this August 24th. I have never worked in the construction industry before . As soon as I got my CDL A local construction company gave me a job in a tandem or dump truck. I would see the heavy haul guys come into the yard and I knew I wanted to do that. Talk to one of the heavy haul guys he talk to his boss next thing you know I'm getting trained to be a heavy hauler. Training was with their fastest guy who told me this lever does this this does this and that does that good luck. Felt like I was more of a burden then the trainee. Either way I was grateful to get the opportunity get my mouth close just did whatever What's asked of me. Challenge on. Discovered your videos every night I would look at various Like I was back at School. All I have to do is know enough to load and unload the machine. I learn more from your videos then they ever showed me. I learn so much that I got a job from one of the biggest construction that works globally. Where there's a will there's a way.

Excellent point on your comment about feeling the grade with your behind. That has always worked for me.

Well this is a whole lot easier than I thought it would be. Advancing technology really makes life easier

Fun to watch. But using the term Operator might be misplaced. Running a dozer is perfect for this! There is a WORLD of difference in running the smaller dozers ( this size and smaller for instance ) and the larger dozers. Dozers have really improved as far as operating conditions. I ran open cab D8's that started with gasoline engines in all weather conditions when young. Thought I was in heaven with the first D8K with a heated and air conditioned cab. You don't know what a hard shift of work is until you have pushed out of a shot to a loader for 10 hours. These would beat you up pretty bad in rock piles. Last day at work I was running a D11N Caterpillar. These and some of the other larger dozers had the bogey roller system that worked like a suspension to soften the ride. That really helped! I ran some 355/375 Komatsu, 750/850 John Deere, a D3, many D6's , D8's, D9's, and D10's. I wish I had a Go Pro back then!

Thank you very much Sir, I think I have to watch it multiple times for more understanding. Jimmy François from Haiti🇭🇹 Thanks a lot, good job.

I watched this with my 1 year old and he loved it. I learned a lot too, great video 🤙

New operator jd 850 this is what this does and this and that dose here you go been 3 months what a experience wish I had your video sooner but seat time is crucial to learn it thanks for your videos awesome work your doin

Watching these dozer videos helps me with my Bobcat compact track loader and dozer blade. Thanks.

I'm from Solomon islands ,I'm a new learning thanks for your time

Great video, ive spent a fair bit of time operating diggers but never used or had a close look at a dozer. I found this really interesting.

thank you good sir for taking the time to share your experience with us.

This helped alot , I'm new to grading and working with equipment (like 4 weeks in) and my foreman has been starting to let me get used to the way it moves and what not , it's a 39x komatsu

Best instructional video I’ve seen yet!!

the very first dozer I operated was my Uncle's CAT, can't remember the model. Very fun for a 15-year-old!

Thanks Randy / ExtremeSandbox for a good instructional video!

Good video 👍. These video's are interesting. The excavator video's jump started me when I rented a tb 260. Thanks 👍

You have not lived until you operates an old cable dozer. I have never operated a dozer with a computer on board. You won't find a joystick on anything I have run or own. Principles of dirt work are exactly the same except you have that six way blade to make grading easier. Great job explaining!

It all started when I was blocked by a dozer that had keys in it (friend of a friend)… but I needed to goooooo…. With no one to be found- This video helped me out! No one was hurt, btw BUT…. Coincidentally, a year later, I have the opportunity to operate a dozer (at my leisure), and here I am again 🙃 Ready to learn. Feels like I know you from the past hahaha anchor bias in full effect

Nice video. What a improvement over the old style of 50 yrs ago.

I’m always interested in learning how to operate new equipment and obtain certifications- Extremely informative and professionally explained. Very good🚜 video- thank you! 🤝

SO SO Different from the old Dozers!! D9H 1979 Gee how they have improved!! I would have to RE. Learn how to operate these new model's !! Thanks for the video !! Regards Ron! Tasmania Australia 👍😊

Again really good video. Simple really, but that's like a lot of things. 90% understanding how it works and how to operate it, and 10% of spending years to develop that touch and finesse.

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Hello Randy ! Excellent video! Professional: clear, concise. Your instructions are easy to understand and not intimidating as a good many of heavy equipment videos. Thank you for the upload. You are a "smooth operator" !

I just started running a case 750 yesterday hope i make it thanks for the videos

A bulldozer is a totally awesome machine, easily a collection type of vehicle lol

Simple and easy. Thank you Sir. Help a lot

I was always told to get a level smooth run you should start with a level and smooth spot. Kind of like what you have on your site. But that is not always the case. So make it as level and smooth as possible.

Beautiful and well explained, nice cameraviews, feel I know how drive the machine 🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻😄

wow so helpful, the msot helpful one i seen yet ! ill be back for more

regardless off rear camera and mirrors number one rule when reversing is look over your shoulder its not advised its crucial !

There are still a lot of older machines out there that do not have any of those electronics on them. They still work great. Personally I would rather have a machine without the electronics on it, but that is what I learned to operate.

This is my favorite dozer ever!

Why are you doing short repetative pushes? What are you trying to do - instead of long pushes?

more power with you sir il, I've learned a lot from you...an apprentice watching from Malaysia

You are doing a great job

Saw the Komatsu video now I'm ready for the D8 😉👍🏼 Good to go!

great lesson to an enthusiast. Thanks.

These things are so easy to operate a child could do it. In fact I did operate these as a child.

Outstanding presentation!

I operate a lot of cat dozer and excavator in my country wish I had a job like that in America I'm a machine lover

my big brother daniel kathex doing this machine operating studies its awesome how this dozzers work

Thank you it was useful

Left is to go back and forth if you Tilt it right .it goes right.. if you Tilt it left it goes left .high and low speeds .the right one the blade gose's up and down . Right side is parking brake.left side is accelerator.. always keep a eye on your surroundings . People around you when you're running heavy equipment .. right control back lever up and down left and right . Tilt your Digger claw.left .right. left control button. Moves it smooth..

Cool! Very Cool!

I learned alot man thanks🙂

Maybe not with this machine because it has enough power, but my father used to have a small “ antique” dozer and he could barely push dirt with it, so when he needed to turn with material against his blade, he would dig the corners into the ground with the blade roll control so he had the power of both tracks, but he could turn

Good teacher thanks

Great video. Thanks for sharing

I always work one side of the blade at a time. Compacted soil is always easier than loose material that doesn't pack as well.

Thank you so much ❤️🤍❤️🙏🏾

[thank, you for youre helpful video]👍

Thank you so much

Thank you very much I have learned a lot. I wish it was in my country Zambia I was going to pay you a visit

Great job

Nice narration. Better without the background music. I have the feeling that whether back or forward - nothing much will stop that thing. Unless it is your car, It doesn't much matter what is behind you. Is the vibrating seat an accessory. You didn't mention any controls for that. Must be relaxing though. Nice work on that trench fill. I noticed that the machine sort of bumped as you went over something. Was that the family cat. Well, at least it had a quick burial. Thanks for the great show. Educational - especially the offhanded reference to how other machines might work.

great series... thx

tx for the video dude!! :) now that i know how to drive a bulldozer, get out of my way b4 i get u out! :D hihi!!

Super video. Danke

new one dozers are toys to play ... old ones are a huge pain to deal with

Next week will be my second week in dozer operator school, we have a exam on the last day in the class room and one out in the field making a " V " ditch, the school has several different size dozers, from Cat, Case, Komatsu, and John Deere, 10 students 10 dozers, every day we get switched a different dozer, I myself don't much care for the high track and also frost sucks

9:03 he called his hands "joysticks" 😄

Great video thanks 👍🏽

can see its not the first time you work with a blad!! Skillful!

I can't find any of those controls on my International TD6?????

My father work in a bulldozer D6 for 18 years

Very nice work.

Could you do instructional video on a backhoe if possible

Driven one of those, got a hi drive training video for a Caterpillar

How many minutes usually did warm up the engine and how many minutes did you shut off the engine sir

BALDI: Now its time for everybody's favorite subject: MATH!! RANDY: Now its time for everybody's favorite subject: CONSTRUCTION EDUCATION!!

thank for you

Good video,but if you zoomed more you'd show more details according to what you say,so that people could see more clearly and understand exactly the message you try to convey,basically it's a great video👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏I could learn more from you in this section if you were more detailed ☺

When ur a actual dozer operator you feel wat going on going forward no by back dragging. Dozers push excavators pull

I just brought 2 new Komatsu Dozers a 6EX & 6PX nice Units. This was a great vid very helpful 👍

Lol I laughed when he said Quacker

This would be hoot to practice learning joystick control option.

You do not have to stop to shift it. It is made to shift at high rpm’s full throttle

Excellent intro video.

good video, thanks

Great video !!!!

Nice video..i hope soon

Well even advanced drivers drive slow me and my cousin have both but a nice gash on r forehead bc there was like a 2” bump so my tracks where half way before my front landed then I got thrown forward bc I didn’t have my seatbelt on and I hit the dash and windshield

Informative! Subscribed

Very good,ty !!!!!!

Yeah, those little dozers are nice for ranch work, but a royal pain to work on, over all good video!

Tryna learn 💯💯

That is awesome 👏🏼

When you become an operator engineer do you have to get licensed on each individual machine? And do they pay more for each one? I would have to imagine the pay scale is different for the different machines you can operate...

The operator talks about hearing the engine going up and going down (increasing rpms and decreasing rpms). But I can't hear those sounds because of the music in the background. Is there anyway to turn the background music off? I really would like to hear the bulldozer's engine.