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The Purpose of a Push Block
A push block is a reinforced structure mounted to the rear of a bulldozer, designed specifically to assist in pushing other equipment—most commonly scrapers or pans—during loading operations. Unlike a standard dozer blade, which is engineered for earthmoving and grading, a push block is built to transfer force directly to the frame of the receiving machine, minimizing the risk of damage to tires, axles, or bodywork.
Push blocks are typically fabricated from heavy steel and mounted securely to the dozer’s rear chassis. Their flat, broad surface provides a stable contact point for the rear of a scraper, allowing the dozer to apply consistent forward pressure while the scraper loads material. This method is especially useful in sticky soil conditions or when the scraper’s own traction is insufficient.
Why Not Use the Blade
While it may seem logical to use the front blade of a dozer to push a scraper, this approach carries significant risks. The blade’s corners can easily contact the scraper’s rear tires, especially during angled pushes or uneven terrain. Damage to scraper tires is costly and can halt operations. Additionally, the blade is not designed to distribute pushing force evenly across the scraper’s frame, which can lead to misalignment or structural stress.
Push blocks eliminate these risks by providing a dedicated pushing surface that aligns with the scraper’s strike plate. This setup ensures that force is transferred safely and efficiently, reducing wear and improving cycle times.
Historical Use and Evolution
Push blocks have been used since the mid-20th century, particularly in large-scale earthmoving projects such as highway construction, mining, and land reclamation. Early examples were simple welded plates, but as equipment grew in size and complexity, push blocks evolved into engineered components with mounting brackets, cushioning pads, and even pivoting mechanisms.
Euclid’s twin-engine TC12 scrapers, for example, were often paired with push dozers equipped with dual push blocks—one on each frame rail—to accommodate oscillation and maintain alignment. These setups allowed synchronized loading with minimal mechanical strain.
In Australia, push blocks were common on coal mine dozers during the 1980s, where scrapers operated in tandem with D9 and D10 units. Operators were trained to align precisely and avoid tire contact, with foremen often reminding them, “Watch out for the damn tires.”
Push Block vs Cushion Blade
The cushion blade is a more modern alternative to the push block. It’s a modified dozer blade with reinforced corners and rubber or spring-loaded pads that absorb impact during pushing. Cushion blades offer more versatility, allowing the dozer to perform standard grading tasks while still assisting scrapers.
However, cushion blades are more complex and expensive to maintain. Push blocks remain popular in fleets where dedicated push dozers are assigned to scraper support and where simplicity and durability are prioritized.
Installation and Structural Considerations
Installing a push block requires:
A contractor in Alberta retrofitted his D8 with a custom push block using 1-inch plate steel and gusseted supports. After 500 hours of scraper support, the block showed minimal wear and improved loading efficiency by 15%.
Field Stories and Operator Experience
In Michigan, a push dozer operator recalled his first day on the job: “The foreman didn’t care how much dirt I moved—he just said, ‘Don’t touch the tires.’” The push block on his D9 saved him from a costly mistake when the scraper veered slightly during a muddy push.
In Finland, a land reclamation crew used push blocks on older Komatsu dozers to assist twin-engine scrapers in peat fields. The blocks were painted bright orange for visibility and fitted with rubber pads to reduce shock.
Conclusion
Push blocks are a specialized but essential component in scraper-assisted earthmoving. By transferring force safely and efficiently, they protect equipment, improve loading cycles, and reduce downtime. Whether welded to a vintage Euclid or bolted to a modern Cat, the push block remains a quiet hero in the world of coordinated dirt-moving. In operations where precision and power meet, the push block is the handshake between machines.
A push block is a reinforced structure mounted to the rear of a bulldozer, designed specifically to assist in pushing other equipment—most commonly scrapers or pans—during loading operations. Unlike a standard dozer blade, which is engineered for earthmoving and grading, a push block is built to transfer force directly to the frame of the receiving machine, minimizing the risk of damage to tires, axles, or bodywork.
Push blocks are typically fabricated from heavy steel and mounted securely to the dozer’s rear chassis. Their flat, broad surface provides a stable contact point for the rear of a scraper, allowing the dozer to apply consistent forward pressure while the scraper loads material. This method is especially useful in sticky soil conditions or when the scraper’s own traction is insufficient.
Why Not Use the Blade
While it may seem logical to use the front blade of a dozer to push a scraper, this approach carries significant risks. The blade’s corners can easily contact the scraper’s rear tires, especially during angled pushes or uneven terrain. Damage to scraper tires is costly and can halt operations. Additionally, the blade is not designed to distribute pushing force evenly across the scraper’s frame, which can lead to misalignment or structural stress.
Push blocks eliminate these risks by providing a dedicated pushing surface that aligns with the scraper’s strike plate. This setup ensures that force is transferred safely and efficiently, reducing wear and improving cycle times.
Historical Use and Evolution
Push blocks have been used since the mid-20th century, particularly in large-scale earthmoving projects such as highway construction, mining, and land reclamation. Early examples were simple welded plates, but as equipment grew in size and complexity, push blocks evolved into engineered components with mounting brackets, cushioning pads, and even pivoting mechanisms.
Euclid’s twin-engine TC12 scrapers, for example, were often paired with push dozers equipped with dual push blocks—one on each frame rail—to accommodate oscillation and maintain alignment. These setups allowed synchronized loading with minimal mechanical strain.
In Australia, push blocks were common on coal mine dozers during the 1980s, where scrapers operated in tandem with D9 and D10 units. Operators were trained to align precisely and avoid tire contact, with foremen often reminding them, “Watch out for the damn tires.”
Push Block vs Cushion Blade
The cushion blade is a more modern alternative to the push block. It’s a modified dozer blade with reinforced corners and rubber or spring-loaded pads that absorb impact during pushing. Cushion blades offer more versatility, allowing the dozer to perform standard grading tasks while still assisting scrapers.
However, cushion blades are more complex and expensive to maintain. Push blocks remain popular in fleets where dedicated push dozers are assigned to scraper support and where simplicity and durability are prioritized.
Installation and Structural Considerations
Installing a push block requires:
- Welding or bolting to the rear chassis
- Alignment with the scraper’s strike plate
- Reinforcement of mounting points to handle repeated impact
- Clearance for rear ripper or counterweight if present
A contractor in Alberta retrofitted his D8 with a custom push block using 1-inch plate steel and gusseted supports. After 500 hours of scraper support, the block showed minimal wear and improved loading efficiency by 15%.
Field Stories and Operator Experience
In Michigan, a push dozer operator recalled his first day on the job: “The foreman didn’t care how much dirt I moved—he just said, ‘Don’t touch the tires.’” The push block on his D9 saved him from a costly mistake when the scraper veered slightly during a muddy push.
In Finland, a land reclamation crew used push blocks on older Komatsu dozers to assist twin-engine scrapers in peat fields. The blocks were painted bright orange for visibility and fitted with rubber pads to reduce shock.
Conclusion
Push blocks are a specialized but essential component in scraper-assisted earthmoving. By transferring force safely and efficiently, they protect equipment, improve loading cycles, and reduce downtime. Whether welded to a vintage Euclid or bolted to a modern Cat, the push block remains a quiet hero in the world of coordinated dirt-moving. In operations where precision and power meet, the push block is the handshake between machines.
