page_title: Bulldozer
section_title: Armored bulldozers
hierarchical_section_title: Bulldozer / Modifications / Armored bulldozers
caption_attribution_description: English: IDF Caterpillar D9R armored bulldozer, Our IDF 70, Israel עברית: דחפור די-9 משוריין של חיל ההנדסה הקרבית, תערוכת צה"ל שלנו 70, ישראל
context_page_description: A bulldozer is a large and heavy tractor equipped with a substantial metal plate used to push large quantities of soil, sand, rubble, or similar material during construction or conversion work and typically equipped at the rear with a claw-like device to loosen densely compacted materials. Most bulldozer tractors are continuous tracked, also termed a crawler.
  Bulldozers can be found on a wide range of sites, mines and quarries, military bases, heavy industry factories, engineering projects, and farms.
  The word "bulldozer" correctly refers to only a tractor fitted with a dozer blade. The word is sometimes used inaccurately for other similar construction vehicles such as a front loader.
context_section_description: Bulldozers employed for combat-engineering roles are often fitted with armor to protect the driver from firearms and debris, enabling bulldozers to operate in combat zones. The most widely documented use is the Israeli Defence Forces' (IDF) militarized Caterpillar D9, for earth moving, clearing terrain obstacles, opening routes, and detonating explosive charges. The extensive use of armored bulldozers during the Second Intifada drew controversy and criticism from human-rights organizations, while military experts saw it as a key factor in reducing IDF casualties.
  Some forces' engineer doctrines differentiate between a low-mobility armoured dozer (LMAD) and a high-mobility armoured dozer (HMAD). The LMAD is dependent on a flatbed to move it to its employment site, whereas the HMAD has a more robust engine and drive system designed to give it road mobility with a moderate range and speed. HMADs, however, normally lack the full cross-country mobility characteristics of a dozer blade-equipped tank or armoured personnel carrier.
  Some bulldozers have been fitted with armor by civilian operators to prevent bystanders or police from interfering with the work performed by the bulldozer, as in the case of strikes or demolition of condemned buildings. This has also been done by civilians with a dispute with the authorities, such as Marvin Heemeyer, who outfitted his Komatsu D355A bulldozer with homemade composite armor to then demolish government buildings.
caption: An armored IDF Caterpillar D9 bulldozer used by Israel Defense Forces
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