Leveling Dirt with our 1952 D6-9U Caterpillar Bulldozer

Jason used our 1952 Caterpillar D6-9U bulldozer to level out our backyard and side yard between the guest house and main house. After nearly 2 solid months of off and on rain here we finally had a stretch of dry weather for 6-7 days. We took advantage of the drier conditions to smooth out all the rutted ground around the house and remove the truly saturated earth from the backyard. We are getting ready to install the windows in the main house. Some of the windows weigh upwards of 300 pounds each. We need to be able to get all around the house with the SkyTrak telehandler to lift the windows into place. So we fired up the 1952 Caterpillar D6-9U bulldozer and started leveling things out. We made a pass along the side of the house from back to front and then reversed that to smooth out the side yard. In the backyard, we pushed off most of the top layer of saturated dirt to the side. Then made multiple passes pushing drier dirt which had been stockpiled away from the house, during the excavation of the footers, back over top of the wetter parts to level out the yard. For the most part, we were able to push the material into place and start bringing down the stockpile to level out the backyard. We also ran over the new layer with the bulldozer, you'll see longer runs even though the blade is unloaded, to help pack the earth down a bit and take any lumps out. A 24,000-pound bulldozer does a great job of flattening out the ground. With the occasional back-drag of the blade (driving backwards with the blade just riding the top of the dirt) to do the final smoothing out of the ground. Once we have another clear stretch of weather, we will be installing our windows in the house!
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[@lttl858]

Operator learning curve video......keep practicing you'll get there.

[@HarkeEstate]

Thanks! We’ve had our bulldozer for a year and a half now and it has enabled us to complete all of the work we’ve wanted to on our house build. That being said, there’s always room for improvement. Any tips or suggestions?

[@lttl858]

You have to run the blade by the seat of your pants......feeling what the dozer is doing. It takes time and practice. Your working for yourself on your own property, best place to learn.@@HarkeEstate

[@johnmoore755]

You have to anticipate what the dozed is going to do and make the blade correction just ahead of it, start looking farther ahead of the machine, good job though.

[@HarkeEstate]

Thank you! I appreciate the encouragement and the tip.

[@TheRonnyL]

This is good stuff man… 😊👍

[@HarkeEstate]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it

[@rudycarlson8245]

@@HarkeEstate if you would like help or suggestions with your D6, I would check out the antique caterpillar machine owners club they should be able to give you tips or tricks, and where to get parts I would also look at your local caterpillar dealer. If you do go there, make sure to write down the serial number of your D6 because if you go there looking for parts for it, they would need to know the serial number

[@billoxley5315]

Leave that throttle alone for starters. No need to lower the idle. Not designed for that.