Back about 30 years ago,
one of my very first dozer operating lessons was digging out for a pond that was to be used for filling water pulls and trucks.
Since there really wasn't much that I could break or mess up, Floyd gave me a go at this project.
Since I was only 14 at the time and still had some growing to do, I naturally sat lower in the seat than a normal full grown adult.
Using his old 46A, Floyd first made a few pass along the back side,
then a few passes along the front side.
Now he backs up and starts his first push....just enough to load up the blade and he stops.
Now its my turn.
Keep in mind that at 14 I had spent a little time on a dozer but I really didnt know what to do with one.
Floyds intentions were to help me develop my still developing bubble.
So, after he explains a few things to me, he gets me up in the operators seat and hands me a bandanna.
I clean my glasses off with it then he informs me that the bandanna is going to be used to cover them, not clean them.
After realizing that this old man has lost it due to one too many cold ones,
I cover up my glasses.
He sits down next to me and guides me through a few passes.
By listening to the engine, feeling the tractor come up to the area that he had earlier notched out and backing up using a windrow as a guide,
dozing in the blind was really easier than you would think.
The more I pushed, the easier it got.
Backing up and feeling the machine climb told me it was time to grab a friction to swing the tractor over a bit.
As I backed up to the top or beginning of my cut I just grabbed the opposite friction along with a little brake to get in line for my next push.
By listening to the machine talk to me and feeling the way it would move beneath me, it was so easy that even a blind man could do this.
With the bulk of the material pushed out, I removed the bandanna and yes,
it looked like a huge bomb had went off.
But more importantly I had learned what that bubble was all about.
Using ones sight, along with the sound and feel of the machine as it loads the blade and the feel of the machine as it climbs the previous push or climbs the last windrow all comes from that bubble.
Now that old 46A didnt have a cab or stereo or air ride seat.
No sound suppression, no doors or windows and certainly no plastic panels.
The seat which I sat on was bolted solid to the floor.
It was easy to feel everything that way.
And without any windows, there were no problems hearing what the machine was doing.
I think that kind of "old school" lesson might be kind of hard to get with todays politically correct plastic luxury dozers.
Anyways, my point is that its all about feeling what the machine is doing.
That can be hard to do in a luxury machine.
There you have it...
One of my first lessons.
And to Floyd Schope....
I don't remember if I ever thanked you for the work you gave me that summer or the lessons and tips you gave me about running equipment.
So "thanks" Floyd.
I owe ya :drinkup
R.I.P.