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Lowering the learning curve
The clear benefit of the inborn intelligence of today's dozers is ease of operation with less operator input required.

"The operator doesn't have to work as hard during the day," says Scott. "He can actually respond faster to what he may see needs to be done or what correction needs to happen [because] the machine is more responsive. The bottom line is he's more productive at the end of the day."

A slightly less quantifiable, but equally valuable benefit is reduced lead time for newer operators to come up to speed with these machines. "They're not as complicated," says Drescher, "so the learning curve is a lot shorter."

Although Drescher emphasizes the importance of having adequate "dirt-moving knowledge" to be truly proficient with a dozer, he believes today's technology makes it easier for operators of all skill levels to concentrate on the task at hand.

"It is easy to say that a less skilled operator today can operate a machine a little easier than they could in the past," he says. "And a very good operator can make it operate even better, because they don't have to worry about the pressure of getting to final grade as much, since they have onboard systems like grade control or pressure-sensing hydraulics that allow them to get to those tolerances a lot quicker."