New Dozer operator

[Lozza]

Howdy Folks,
I am transferring out of the tree climbing game and want to move into machinery, specifically dozers.

While a training course will take me through basics of;

• Use of the blade
• Slot dozing
• Leveling
• Boxing out
• Backfilling and spreading heaps
• Drain construction
• Ripping techniques
• Clearing and stacking timber

I am conscious that without more work site experience, I might struggle to be employed.

1. Are there any extra resources I can study online to get ahead?
2. Or are there any operators on here that can offer advice for entering this industry.

Any help would really assist before I spank the cash on operators course...

Thanks in advance for any help.
(Adelaide, Australia)

 

[td25c]

Congratulations on the move from tree climbing to operating Mate !

My operating education started on a farm tractor with front loader . It was our first dozer . Would dig ,grade & clear with it .

Opinion on the whole " operating game " is pay attention to the machines capabilities , it's advantages and disadvantages of whatever type of work you are doing .

Capitalize on the machines good points and advantages on a given job and stay away from putting it in a bad position where it wont perform as well .

That's what makes for a good operator regardless of the job at hand . Just simply knowing the machine .

Save your money on the operators course . Member Scrub Puller will chime in with some good advice on the dozer operation in different conditions in your area .

​

 

[Lozza]

Congratulations on the move from tree climbing to operating Mate !

My operating education started on a farm tractor with front loader . It was our first dozer . Would dig ,grade & clear with it .

Opinion on the whole " operating game " is pay attention to the machines capabilities , it's advantages and disadvantages of whatever type of work you are doing .

Capitalize on the machines good points and advantages on a given job and stay away from putting it in a bad position where it wont perform as well .

That's what makes for a good operator regardless of the job at hand . Just simply knowing the machine .

Save your money on the operators course . Member Scrub Puller will chime in with some good advice on the dozer operation in different conditions in your area .

​

Thanks Td25c! Some sound advice there.

I will make sure to pay attention to machinery capabilities and characteristics

 

[Scrub Puller]

Yair . . .

Hello Lozza .

I was interested to see the list of disciplines offered by a training course. It would obviously be an expensive undertaking to complete.

I might add that over here in Australia a dozer course does little more than ensure the legality of the operator.

That is to say they provide you with a ticket, whether you can walk the machine onto a float, position it and then know how to stack timber or dig a hole when you get to the job is another thing again.

Things may well be different in your area but (I think) the first thing is to get that ticket so you can present yourself as a learner operator and approach contractors and farmers and the like to hot seat on machines at lunch time and at weekends. With polite persistence you may get a few hours here and there and remember the Caterpillar training videos and publications are your bible.

The very best of luck and Cheers.

 

[Junkyard]

Scrub....is that legality or lethality of an operator? Couldn't resist. Hard to tell the two apart with some "operators"

OTJ training is the only way to fly in my humble opinion. Plenty of people willing to teach if you can find them. A recommendation from a company or individual is better than any certificate and a helluva lot cheaper! Heck volunteering to work for free or very cheap would still put you money ahead versus a course of some sort. Some things cannot be taught in a classroom. Only place that comes close is the union and it's basically OTJ.

Good luck!!

Junkyard

 

[td25c]

OTJ training is the only way to fly in my humble opinion. Plenty of people willing to teach if you can find them. A recommendation from a company or individual is better than any certificate and a helluva lot cheaper!

Junkyard

Well said Junkyard !

On the job training where the individual is earning a pay check and under the guidance of the business owner is a great way to start any career & learn the aspects of the job at hand !

 

[Lozza]

@Scrub Puller & @Junkyard

Guys thanks very much for the advice and help, its much appreciated. I will do as much learning as I can before I start any training. However, as you say I will need to find a person or company willing to take me on for the on the job experience, before I will be formally 'employed'.

 

[auen1]

I am transferring out of the tree climbing game and want to move into machinery, specifically dozers.

In my field of work, a dozer trainee will never sit in a dozer.
They start out in a dump/haul truck or a packer first.
Then maybe a loader or excavator next.
If you can master that equipment, then you can sit in a dozer.

I'd take a haul truck course first.
That will get you a job.
There are pretty cheap online courses to get you certified.

I bought my first dozer, a D-8.
That's how I learned.
I asked experienced operators for advice.
The best advice I got, was that if your body hurts, you are not running it right.

 

[Junkyard]

Too bad you're half a world away. Around here I could make a couple calls and find you a place to start pretty easy. You could move here but our toilets swirl the wrong way, you'd get homesick.