Thanks for the help, Theo.....
Dave and Squeeky, the dozer is a '96 hi track D6 with an 11' blade; the track hoe is a '90'ish Cat, not quite as new but in terrific shape. This guy takes real good care of his equipment. He said that he had to raise his $90/hour from last year to $100 this year, mostly for obvious reasons. The dozer rocks, the track hoe is needed for precision plucking to minimize collateral damage, particularly at the perimeter. The real dance, tho, is both of them together....it's like Astaire and Rogers. I can't complain too much about their efficiency, I just hate big bux when it's new to me. Remember, tho, that I have not begun pushing dirt for the pond or dam. To this point, I have a perfectly bald and shaven site with a slightly extended perimeter to push back the treeline and create a place to waste dirt creating a shoreline. After this phase, I don't know what to expect at "dirt-pushing" time.
