Not exactly looking for an operators guide, just some input there . I think these dozers are around 1999 models .. Thinking about dry hiring a D8 or D9 to rip and push dirt..I need to ip some calcrete ,like sedimentry type rock ,is is brittle in some areas.. Should i pay for an operator ,are they easy to operate yourself ? problem si paying an operator can be expensive.. My experince is little ,i can operate my D2 ok (hehe) i have operated a PC400 digger for a day or so before,also a tamrock drill and blast rig ...so how hard could it be... if i break it ,do i buy it:Banghead
If all you have ever been on is a D2 then a jump to a D8 or D9 is a big jump all at once. Lots of things to watch and things can happen fast on a big machine like that
With the cost of fuel, machine, insurance, etc. you will likely come out much better if you hire an expereinced dozer hand to run it. The production that you achieve with an experienced operator will more than pay for his/her wages. Typically, if it something mechanical you would not have to pay for repairs, but if it is due to abuse, ie. broken ripper shank, dented sheet metal, ripping without a tooth, dozing with the cutting edges worn to the frog, you will have to pay for the repair/replacement.