Do Bulldozers Dig? Here’s the Thing!

Digging with a bulldozer might sound strange, but a lot of landscapers believe they’re an excellent tool for many jobs. Most of us tend to think of excavators as the primary digging tool when it comes to heavy machinery. They have all of the attachments, which is why it might seem that bulldozers are lacking.

Bulldozers can dig ponds and other shallow structures, but they’re not the best for deep holes. Bulldozers don’t have the equipment to move vertically to scoop out the proper amount of soil. You can get a backhoe attachment to make it work similarly to an excavator, which can dig any kind of hole.

Throughout this article, you’ll also learn the following info about digging with a bulldozer:

• How you can dig with a bulldozer
• What to keep in mind before you get started
• FAQ and answers about digging with bulldozers

Are you looking for a step by step guide on how to create a pond with a bulldozer? Check out my article here.

Can You Dig With a Bulldozer?

You can dig with a bulldozer under many circumstances, but it’s important to note that they’re not designed to scoop out deep holes. As mentioned in the introduction, you can get an excavator attachment to pull everything out in these scenarios. In fact, many excavators and bulldozers work for the same purpose.

Here’s what you need to keep in mind when you’re thinking about digging with a bulldozer:

• The vast majority of bulldozers are equipped with a bladed scoop-like attachment. It’s designed to push debris out of the way, making it easier for other machines to dig and shape the land. However, you can do quite a bit of pushing to dig shallow, wide holes, such as ponds and lower land.

• According to DOZR, most bulldozers are used to remove dirt, soil, and clear land. If you want to dig deep and focus on one spot, then a bulldozer might not be the best choice. Instead, you should choose an excavator. If you already have a bulldozer, you’ll find out how to make it dig properly in the next section.

• If you want to dig a good hole in an efficient manner, then get a hoe of some sort. The most common hoe is known as a backhoe. It faces toward the driver rather than outward, making it easy for the operator to see what’s in the bucket or scooper of the backhoe.

• Bulldozers often weigh well over 10,000 pounds, so don’t operate one without the proper knowledge. If you’re questioning whether or not you can dig with a bulldozer, then chances are you haven’t used on before. Consider training courses or hiring a professional to get the job done.

As you can see, there are only a few preparation steps before you start digging with a bulldozer. None of them are outlandish, but it’s good to know what you’re getting yourself into. Needless to say, a backhoe should be on your list of attachments to get if you want to dig efficiently with a bulldozer.

For a simple step-by-step process, proceed to the next section.

How to Dig With a Bulldozer

Once you have everything ready to go, it’s time to start digging. Regardless of which type of equipment you’re using, heavy machinery should never be taken lightly. Move slow and steady to prevent mistakes since they could become costly expenses later on down the road.

Without further ado, here’s how to dig with a bulldozer:

1. Map out the area for plumbing and electrical lines. Before you start digging, it’s a good idea to know where all of the local sewage, electrical, and other lines are running through the land. The last thing you want is to cut into a sewage pipe in the middle of the digging process.
2. Push debris out of the way with the dozer. Start by pushing weeds, excess mounded dirt, tree stumps, and other debris out of the way. You could consider digging with the primary bulldozer attachment to create an outline for the next step in the process, though it’s not necessary.
3. Attach a backhoe to the bulldozer. The backhoe is going to be the primary digging tool for most jobs with a tractor, excavator, or bulldozer. This scooping mechanism allows you to take out hundreds of pounds of soil at a time, making it the most efficient digging tool available.
4. Dig from front to back to keep yourself safe. Moving backward as you dig is a favorite industry suggestion because it allows you to see what’s in front of you. On top of that, you’ll prevent yourself from driving forward into the hole. That being said, if you’re digging a wide hole, you can dig forward in short increments.
5. Create a designated digging pile. Once you start removing loads of dirt and soil, you can make a pile for all of it. Don’t pile it up in any direction; There needs to be a method to the madness. When you have all of the dirt piled together, it’s much easier to replace or dispose of it however you wish.

Although using a backhoe is highly recommended, bulldozers have been known to get the project completed without it. You can use the regular bladed scoop to push everything out of the way, creating a hole effectively.

Would you like to see a bulldozer in action? Check out this shallow pond digging tutorial without any special attachments from Letsdig18 on YouTube:

Common Problems and Quick Fixes

As with all digging sites, there’s bound to be an error if you don’t take the necessary precautions. Fortunately, they’re all easy to avoid. In this section, we’ll cover a handful of issues that people encounter and how you can prevent them from happening.

Never Overwork a Bulldozer

It might seem like bulldozers are the toughest equipment in the industry, which’s true for the most part. However, you need to know what size dozer you need before you start clearing land and overworking the system. Lightweight dozers can overheat, or they might not be able to lift the dirt and debris in your way.

Remember to Remove All Nearby Debris

Tree stumps, bushes, rocks, and other debris can make digging much more challenging than it should be. Use the bulldozer’s front to push everything out of the way, then start making the hole. If you notice large rocks and roots underground, you’ll be able to cut them out with the blade of the backhoe.

Know the Soil Before You Start Digging

Sand, dirt, and clay all have different textures and densities. Knowing your soil will allow you to know what type of equipment you need, where you should make your piles, and what to expect when you’re getting far below the surface. For example, sand is easy as can be to dig through, but it’s a bit frustrating to pile without it falling apart.

Conclusion

Bulldozers can dig quite easily if you know what you’re doing. With the information found in this article, you’re ready to start digging ponds, gardens, and other sites without any worries. Furthermore, you’ll be prepared for any challenges that might come your way.

Here’s a quick rundown of everything this post should’ve taught you:

• Use a backhoe for an easier digging process.
• You can dig with a dozer, even if you don’t have special attachments.
• Always map out the soil, remove debris, and know where plumbing lines run through the soil.
• Make sure you’re using the right size bulldozer, so you don’t make it overheat.