How to Operate a Bulldozer (ep. 061)
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- Опубликовано: 5 окт 2024
- Have you ever wondered what goes into operating a bulldozer? At Extreme Sandbox, we not only let people operate our heavy machinery for fun, but we like throw a little education in there as well!
In this episode, Randy will take you through the controls of the Komatsu D61 bulldozer that we run at both our Minnesota and Texas locations. He will go over everything from track controls, blade maneuvering and backfilling with the bulldozer to give you an idea of what it takes to operate this amazing piece of equipment.
Are you interested in becoming a heavy equipment operator? Check out Sandbox Academy! 👉extremesandbox...
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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"?
Love this!
Awesome lol
GET what you pay for .Nice🤔
So true Lawrence you do get what u pay for lol perfect example
Lol that’s funny
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.
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.
Great advice...thanks for the comment!
You can replace your own cutting edges then
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 hear ya...thanks for the comment!
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.
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.
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.
Absolutely LOVE comments like this! So glad that we can help share our knowledge! Thank you for the comment and good luck!
Well this is a whole lot easier than I thought it would be. Advancing technology really makes life easier
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.
Yup...lots of technology advances in newer equipment!
I have an hd5 at the house...its a night and day difference from the new stuff
Excellent point on your comment about feeling the grade with your behind. That has always worked for me.
Thanks for the comment!
I am going to be enlarging our pond to a lake.This video is awesome on explaining it to newbies.
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.
Thanks for the comment! Just let us know if there are any other videos you would like to see.
I'm from Solomon islands ,I'm a new learning thanks for your time
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
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.
Thanks for the comment!
I also was interested because at the veterans local cemetery I watched a dozer like that in operation and could get my head around the going forward so slow and the engine never quit.
Watching these dozer videos helps me with my Bobcat compact track loader and dozer blade. Thanks.
Great to hear!
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.
Thank you for the comment!
I watched this with my 1 year old and he loved it. I learned a lot too, great video 🤙
Awesome...thanks for the comment!
@@HeavyMetalLearning 7 u 797979777.97..7 7.
The kid will be a step ahead of the other kids in the sand box😀
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
Awesome...thanks for the comment!
thank you good sir for taking the time to share your experience with us.
Thanks for the comment!
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!
Thanks for the comment! Yes, the newer machines have really had drastic improvements in comfort and efficiency. A comfortable operator is more efficient and safer!
Over forty years building logging roads never had the pleasure of a Dozer with a cab.😔
But then again I never closed the door on the Grader or the Drill.
the very first dozer I operated was my Uncle's CAT, can't remember the model. Very fun for a 15-year-old!
Yeah...they’re a blast!
I’m always interested in learning how to operate new equipment and obtain certifications-
Extremely informative and professionally explained. Very good🚜 video- thank you! 🤝
Awesome! Thank you for the compliment. Let us know if there are any other videos you would like to see.
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
Good video 👍. These video's are interesting. The excavator video's jump started me when I rented a tb 260. Thanks 👍
Thanks for the comment!
Thanks Randy / ExtremeSandbox for a good instructional video!
Thanks!
A bulldozer is a totally awesome machine, easily a collection type of vehicle lol
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 👍😊
I think it would be great to get several old dozers out next to some new ones and let the new operators try both to see the advancements. Thanks for the comment! Awesome to see viewers from Australia for our video shot in Minnesota. Thanks again!
@@HeavyMetalLearning you bet, a old D8-H with a wore out blade and C frame, that separates the men from the boys.
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.
Great advice. Thanks for the comment!
Nice video. What a improvement over the old style of 50 yrs ago.
Thanks for the comment!
I just started running a case 750 yesterday hope i make it thanks for the videos
Good luck...thanks for the comment!
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.
Agreed. Thanks for the comment!
Mastering the decelerator should be the first step. It's pretty critical that you have that muscle memory to be there in a tight spot or emergency.
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!
Thanks. I can only imagine how much more difficult it must have been in those older machines. Technology has allowed for some great improvements and ultimately provides a more comfortable operator, which translates to safer and more efficient operator!
If I had my way there would be a restored antique machine or two available for the younger operators to try. If you were closer to me I would enjoy time in the newer equipment to see the difference!
Allis-Chalmers HD-19 springs to mind.
I have some old dozers- D9D cable blade, WW2 era cable D7, pony start D6 9U, etc.- but I run modern machines at work. My current ride is a brand new D6T with the slope assist and grade control functions. There is nothing I can do with the new machines that I can't do with the antiques, with the obvious exception that the old ones won't run themselves lol. The main thing I miss on the oldies is a tilt blade, sometimes it takes a few more steps to get things done with just a straight blade but they still get done, just takes a little more time and a few more steps. As Mr. Sandbox points out, the main difference is comfort, which is obviously worlds different. Although it is nice sometimes to be out in the fresh air, listening to the sound of the big slow-turning diesel, I wouldn't want to do it all day every day any more
Best instructional video I’ve seen yet!!
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" !
Thanks Joseph for the comment! Let us know if there are any other specific videos you would like to see on our channel!
regardless off rear camera and mirrors number one rule when reversing is look over your shoulder its not advised its crucial !
Yes...good advice! Thanks for the comment!
You might not want to stand behind me then. Just saying
Simple and easy. Thank you Sir. Help a lot
You’re welcome...thanks for the comment!
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.
Yes, good to learn in both the older and newer machines. Thanks for the comment!
@@HeavyMetalLearning I have found that if you learn the old systems you can operate the new stuff. However it does not necessarily work the other way around, because people become overly dependent on the electronics.
Excellent point!
John McMickle on
I can't find any of those controls on my International TD6?????
my big brother daniel kathex doing this machine operating studies its awesome how this dozzers work
Thanks for the comment
Beautiful and well explained, nice cameraviews, feel I know how drive the machine 🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻😄
more power with you sir il, I've learned a lot from you...an apprentice watching from Malaysia
Saw the Komatsu video now I'm ready for the D8 😉👍🏼 Good to go!
Boom! Well they would essentially operate the same so you should be good to go.
A blade is a blade.
wow so helpful, the msot helpful one i seen yet ! ill be back for more
Thank you!
Could you do instructional video on a backhoe if possible
We'll see if we can get one for a video. We don't use them regularly on our sites, but we've had them out a few times in the past.
These things are so easy to operate a child could do it. In fact I did operate these as a child.
Just takes stick time....as with anything practice practice practice!
Why are you doing short repetative pushes? What are you trying to do - instead of long pushes?
Thanks for the comment. The blade can only push so much, once it’s loaded you want to push it the shortest distance possible.
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
Good luck...maybe some day
great lesson to an enthusiast. Thanks.
thanks for the comment!
new one dozers are toys to play ... old ones are a huge pain to deal with
Thanks for the comment!
Driven one of those, got a hi drive training video for a Caterpillar
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
That sounds cool. Sounds like they challenge you pretty good there. What is your favorite dozer so far?
I like the Cat D6K LGP with the 6 way blade
MrStefy40 how much was the school and where?
It was through a union hall.....I didn't pay nothing it was payed through my work dues
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
Yeah....the newer machines are a lot more powerful.
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
Maybe some day...lol
Good teacher thanks
can see its not the first time you work with a blad!! Skillful!
Thanks!
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.
Good tip!
I was taught when cutting to grade only use one half of the blade and keep the other side slightly higher.
Also don't watch the blade to see your level. Watch the hood of the dozer and you will always know your angle.
Or feel it in the ass😉
Thank you so much
You are doing a great job
Thanks for the comment!
I learned alot man thanks🙂
Thank you it was useful
This is my favorite dozer ever!
My father work in a bulldozer D6 for 18 years
Outstanding presentation!
Thank you!
BALDI: Now its time for everybody's favorite subject: MATH!!
RANDY: Now its time for everybody's favorite subject: CONSTRUCTION EDUCATION!!
I preferred recess!
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 ☺
Yeah...we’ve heard that feedback before. We’ll try to add an additional camera angle on the controls next time. Thanks for the comment!
Lol I laughed when he said Quacker
Hmmmm...quacker?
This would be hoot to practice learning joystick control option.
I'm pretty sure you would pick it up quickly
Yeah, those little dozers are nice for ranch work, but a royal pain to work on, over all good video!
Thanks Nathan! Agreed they can be tough to work on, but thankfully we get great support from our Komatsu distributors and they have been pretty much issue free!
@@HeavyMetalLearning yeah, i worker for a dealer, and mostly work on excivators, a little more crawling up and down, but i tend to think therye a but easier
Actually those little dozers are great for finish work. Especially for curbs and gutters. We used to build golf courses and they were perfect for the bunkers and the mounds.
@@thewidower1 When I was a kid, a long time ago, my uncle had a D8 and a little John Deere, all summer long we made ponds. He pushed a lot of material, and I made it look pretty. Those old dozers left you in good shape, they were work...
A good operator knows how to run a trim dozer.
I just brought 2 new Komatsu Dozers a 6EX & 6PX nice Units. This was a great vid very helpful 👍
AWESOME! We love our KOMATSU! Thanks for the feedback, just let us know if there are any other videos you would like to see.
You bought over a million dollars in equipment and you relying on a RUclips video to know how to operate them ?!?!
Bornapatriot BythegraceofGod with heavy earthmoving gear you never stop learning we can move dirt with them but smaller finer info you soak up and yes we brought them and hired operators to operate them so handy as owners to learn as Komatsu here don’t do a good clear training like this.
GERMAN RAGNOR KING no
Great video. Thanks for sharing
Thank you. Just let us know if there are other videos you would like to see.
You do not have to stop to shift it. It is made to shift at high rpm’s full throttle
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.
Thanks for the comment. Good feedback on the music, heard that from a few others so maybe on the next one we try it without. Oh...and trust me...it WILL back right over a car (I speak from experience....lol). Just let us know if there are other videos you want to see.
I like the music but you’re entitled to your opinion. My penis is quite large btw... just in case you were wondering.
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
Yup...it can happen...wear your seatbelt!
How about a 1978 D-9 Cat with clutch and levers? Hmm?
I learned on 1977 D8k sloppy ass dozer but my favorite. The power of those old dozers is amazing compared to the new nonsense with all the emissions bullshit on them. Im only 27 but i love older equipment open cab doesn’t bother me. Summer or winter just dress accordingly. The new cats are like spaceships and the amount of creature comforts blow my mind nicer then my pickup truck. Im an operating engineer local 542 but it saddens me to find that alot of guys cant operate a dozer. They are one of my favorite pieces and it took well over 1000 hours to get decent at fine grading. I hate all the gps nonsense because i learned the old school way and developed an eye for grading. Gps lets any talentless jerk get in and fine grade in minutes. When the gps cAnt get a signal i still prove my worth. Favorite part of the old d8k was when you let out the decelerator pedal the giant mushroom cloud of black smoke turned me on and when you see trees and earth rolling off the blade and the power and torque was just off the charts. I love what i do for a living and most days i don’t even feel like i go to work. Had a cat key and cat hat from my grandfather since i was a little kid and have been collecting the die-cast replicas since i was a little kid. Kinda makes sense id eventually do it for a living.
We got a D8k, D8n, D7h and a D4c.
The older D8K is harder to run but it will push with either of the other large dozers.
I have a first gen stick shift cable blade D9 if you really want to go old school. It pushes like a SOB and is surprisingly easy to operate and grade with. A guy I used to work for had a D8K, that was one of my favorite dozers to operate ever. At work I'm currently operating a brand new D6T, it's real nice and comfortable but the level of complexity is just ridiculous. I believe that the reason a lot of the young guys don't want to get on a dozer is because it does take a long time to learn to run properly and most of them don't want to put out the effort. Also, there are a lot of people that won't ever be able to get it no matter the amount of time or training, as my 825 operator grandfather used to say, you either got it or you don't when it comes to running a dozer. I've worked with a number of retired 542 guys over the years, in fact I'm working with a couple of them now
m.ruclips.net/user/dieseldave71 Somewhere between the guns and the chainsaws there are some vids of my old dozers on here
@@youngmike8645 where do you work at?
Please make video on MOTOR GRADER TECHNIQUES
Thank you so much ❤️🤍❤️🙏🏾
thank for you
After the success of our heavy equipment training videos on RUclips, Extreme Sandbox is proud to announce the launch of Sandbox Academy, a heavy equipment operator training program. If you are interested in becoming a heavy equipment operator, check out Sandbox Academy! 👉extremesandbox.com/sandbox-academy
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...
Great question. Not necessarily “licensed” for each machine, but you would need to learn the skills for each machine. Usually you will start on the smaller equipment (skid steers, forklifts, rollers, etc) before working up to the bigger equipment. Pay usually advances with more experience on the job.
I am a union operator here in Wisconsin heavy highway is around $44 for a dozer operator, I just finished my first week at the union training center for dozer and have one more week to go, my job in the field is a HDD( horizontal directional drill) operator, but seeing as I am laid off from my employer I thought I would take some extra skills at the school and better myself
@@MrStefy40 where or who do I need to contact for the union I'm in new Orleans and operator for a subcontractor under the army Corp of engineers.
[thank, you for youre helpful video]👍
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!!
great series... thx
Thanks for the comment!
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..
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.
Great job
Thanks!
If i know how To drive this machine it will be so good
Super video. Danke
9:03 he called his hands "joysticks" 😄
How many minutes usually did warm up the engine and how many minutes did you shut off the engine sir
Komatsu (and most newer machines) no longer want long idle times because of the tier 4 regen systems. So for warmup, when it’s warm outside I usually only idle for 1 min or so and when cold outside I might make it 3-5mins. Similar for shutdown, they no longer recommend long cool down times so usually no more than 3-5 mins. Again, this is for newer tier 4 emission machines.
Cool! Very Cool!
Thanks!
Tryna learn 💯💯
I noticed that your camera man went behind you several times and even though you have back up cameras and mirrors you should always look ( physically look ) behind you. Just a tip from a operating engineer local 139 . WI. p.s. my 3 year old and I love your show.
Yes, excellent advice. Safety first...always! Thanks for the comment!
Great video thanks 👍🏽
Very nice work.
Thanks for the comment!
Have you ever run anything with cable blade ? Start them out there 🤣
Good video but if the dozer manufacturer wanted you to use the blade when you're going backwards they would have but a cutting edge on the back of the blade to.
We’ll have to agree to disagree on that one. Plus, under that logic why do all manufacturers have the float as standard? Float is only used for back-dragging.
very different like 14 tons international what operated over 30 years ago.
sure beats the 1970 d8h with manual blade and trying to start the pony motor in Alaska.
The only thing I'd worry about is there's no deadman's switch?? What happens if the operator moves it forward and has a heart attack and collapses. He's just going to keep going until something stops that thing...
Yeah....I have also kind of wondered why that's not in there.