What is a Dozer Line?
A dozer line is a fire line constructed by the front blade of a bulldozer. Bulldozer lines are made by blading the ground, removing flammable plant material down to bare soil. Depending on the type of vegetation burning, dozer lines can vary in width from a single dozer blade to many dozer blades wide.
Types and Uses of Dozers
Dozers are heavy duty equipment, commonly known as bulldozers, equipped with a heavy, wide blade mounted at the front of the tractor to push materials. Modern dozers have a Hydrostatic Transmission System allowing for variable speed selection. Dozer winches specifically designed for these machines have a higher angle of departure and drum set higher and closer to the tractor.
Dozer Applications
- Excavation
- Digging
- Leveling
- Earthmoving
Bulldozers move on heavy metal tracks which makes them ideal for rough terrain. Dozers are low center of gravity machines. Wheeled dozers are larger than the crawler ones and are used in construction plans like water parks and stadiums.
Dozer Attachments
- Winches
- Rippers
Winches use an electric motor and wire rope to pull equipment, trees, and other objects. Rippers are used for ripping up hard soil and roots.
Construction and Mining Projects
Also called crawlers, dozers fitted with a blade and a ripper are powerful demolition and pushing machines. Bulldozers are useful for pushing, digging, excavating, and flattening at sites. There are mainly two types: Crawler Dozer and Wheel Dozer.
Dozer and the Operator
What a Dozer Swamper Does
Swamp dozers have wider tracks perfect for swampy or sandy areas. The swamper assists the dozer operator by monitoring weather and communicating with other units. Operators construct escape routes and safety zones for hand crews to use as refuge areas.
Efficiency and Performance
Dozers can level and shape the ground surface. By adjusting blade angle and position, dozers create desired flat or slope surface for roads, runways, industry and projects. A crucial aspect of their functionality is their ability to compact soil after excavation.
Transmission Systems
Hydrostatic transmission systems govern downhill travel speeds on inclines under full payload weight. Nonetheless, the efficiency of torque converter transmission is relatively low, with maximum domestic efficiency of 88%.
Dozer Models
Basic swamp dozer models like the TY320, TY220, and TY160 rely on technology from dozers like the Komatsu D155, D85, and D65. Rigid dump trucks also provide support. Dump truck drivers average £31,607 annually.