Mercury,
My hands-on experience on a dozer is now two years and I categorically disagree with the above post that recommends you start with "bigger and better".
I had the help of one of the top, if not the top, dozer operators in East Texas in getting started and I am still learning, every time I get on my machine. He told me to start with a small machine and that is by far the best advice he gave me. Some advice he failed to mention, because it was second knowledge to him. For example:
When I looked at a dozer I thought "that has to be the safest thing you can be on"....wrong. I hadn't operated it for half a day before I split my head wide open. A dozer is completely different from a tractor. It is effectively "one piece" meaning when it goes over something and the CG (center of gravity) crosses then the machine moves rapidly as one unit. I crossed over a log no larger than 4 inches in diameter and the dozer fell forward hurling me into the structure. A larger dozer would have killed me on the spot. As it was, I learned a painful bloody lesson. A dozer must be used with caution, especially when you are first starting. Seat belts on a machine that crawls are required, mandatory. It may cost you your life without them.
As far as blade techniques, I'm still learning. The most difficult thing for me was to keep a smooth push going...my first attempts were like a wash board. I'm much better now but still learning. I have gotten very adept at placing the blade exactly where I want it...I can pick off a small yaupon bush within 1 inch of a tree trunk, but still have trouble with a level dirt push. The important thing to learn is to not try to take too much dirt off at a time. I had a tendency to lower the blade and it would dig in too deep and then have to raise it and then lower it...you get the picture I hope. Take small bites and it works better.
I would like to encourage you to try it. Please do not take my words as trying to scare you...far from it. I love being on the dozer. It is honestly one of the most fun things I have ever done. I just hope you will do it safely, start small, and take nothing for granted when you are on that machine. It is nothing like a tractor. Good digging to you!
