Dozers are easily the earthmoving machines undergoing the most profound transformation in usability in this era of equipment technology. Traditionally called the bulldozer, these machines are now more versatile than ever. From land clearing to detailed grading applications, these workhorses have evolved from mere bulk earthworks. Increasingly (when paired with ground-breaking GPS and surveying technology), dozers are being used for detailed earthworks and grading applications.

Therefore, dozer hire rates fluctuate substantially based on whether the dozer is modern with a full suite of onboard technology, including telematics and GPS. Selecting the right machine for your construction project depends on its level of automation and efficiency, not to mention the job’s complexity, site conditions, and the level of precision required. Even if it is an older model, it will be great for heavy dirt-shifting grunt work, and you should be able to get it at a cheaper rate!

Dozers are essential for site preparation, especially for large-scale earthmoving projects. They require skilled operators with years of experience to handle the heavy machinery efficiently.

Discover rates for a wide range of machinery and equipment in our comprehensive machine hire rates guide.

What are typical Dozer wet and dry hire rates (by size)?

Even though D6 dozers are priced on an hourly basis, they are rarely hired for less than a week at a time. Many models are available for dry hire, allowing contractors to use their own skilled operators to reduce costs. They are also the type of machine that will sit on a site unutilised and deployed when required, unlike other machines, which will be sent back to the depot when not being used.

D7 dozers aren’t as common as D6 or D8 dozers, but they are unique to many large-scale plant hire companies. Some models, like swamp dozers, are designed for soft, muddy terrain, making them ideal for wetland construction and flood-prone areas. Nevertheless, they can often do the same capacity of bulk earthworks as D6 or D8 dozers.

D8 dozers are the most prolific dozers on the market — the first was launched in America in 1935! As part of the lineup of the most prolific Caterpillar dozers, the D8 comes in two blade variants: S-Blade (Straight Blade) or U-Blade (Universal Blade, which has a slight bend to it).

D9 dozers are starting to enter the heavy-duty range, making them ideal for bulk earthworks on civil projects such as dam construction, mining sites, and large-scale land development. Launched in the 1950s, D9s actually have more of a military application than the D8 and D11, so they aren't as common as other-sized dozers in plant hire fleets.

D11s are big kahunas and can only be operated by skilled professionals. These CAT dozers are rarely seen in civil and commercial applications unless for major infrastructure projects like highways or airports. They are also really tricky to mobilise and, in many cases, need to be dismantled to travel.

Standing next to a D12 dozer sometimes feels like you are standing next to a moving mountain of metal. Standing next to a D12 dozer sometimes feels like you are standing next to a moving mountain of metal. You typically won’t see a D12 anywhere but a mining project, as they are owned by mines or plant hire companies catering exclusively to the mining sector.

Need to hire a dozer? Get free competitive quotes through iseekplant!

Dozer Hire Float and Mobilisation Rates

Dozers aren't easy machines to move around, which is why plant hire companies will balk at anyone wanting to hire them for less than a fortnight. Beyond a D6 size, they are a wide load and often require a police escort and, in some cases, a pilot vehicle.

• Dozer Mobilisation Rates: To transport a dozer, you need a low-loader. Low loaders cost $150 per hour, and travel, loading, transport, unloading and return travel can take a full day.
• Dozer Demobilisation Rates: You will also likely be stung to float the machine back and expect the same type of demobilisation charges to be included for the dozer's return journey to the depot.

Dozer Wet Hire Rates with GPS

Dozers are increasingly fitted with machine control. 3D GPS systems, like Topcon's 3D GPS Dozer equipment, are now standard on modern machines, ensuring maximum efficiency in grading and earthmoving tasks.

GPS does impact the cost of dozer hire rates, usually by between $20 - $50 per hour, depending on the sophistication of the units and their connectivity to the site-wide base station. If the project manager wants a fully connected site (where they can see all the machines from their air-conditioned cabin), then you will most likely pay more for that benefit, given the potential for significant productivity gains.

How to get the best Dozer hire rates

iseekplant specialises in getting quotes for people looking for construction gear. No matter your project requirements, we’ll help you find the best dozer hire rates. Use our Get a Quote tool, and we will get you the best quote and the right solution for your job, completely free of charge! Our nationwide network of dozer suppliers service those in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra, Perth, Darwin, Adelaide and rural areas, so you can be sure that we'll meet your needs no matter your location.

Subscribe to iseekplant's Constructionsht blog to keep up to date with the latest industry news and projects!