While I fully understand the do-it-youself tendencies, you didn't say what you were wanting to do with the dozer. If you're simply "pushing" debris into a pile, then I can see where you might get along ok...but if you're altering the landscape to any decent amount, then I agree with the previous posters. Running a dozer appears deceptively simple because an experienced operator makes it look that way. There may not be a lot to it from an purely mechanical operation standpoint, however on the other hand a barber or hair stylist only needs a pair of scissors and a set of clippers to get the job done....but put those same two implements in the hands of a novice and the outcome may not be nearly so pleasing to the eye.
