David Armas was grading on compact dozers, such as the CAT D3 and the Deere 450 during the 1990’s in Miami Florida. Back then skid steers were wheeled machines with 60 or 70 horsepower. What he witnessed at this time was the emergence of the compact tracked loader, where skid steers exchanged wheels for tracks and grew their engines. These larger platform machines increased the capability, torque and traction opening the skid steer concept to much greater possibilities and diversified applications. Today over 70% of the skid steer market is tracked units.

David soon realized that the work he was doing on dozers could be done in a more efficient and cost-effective way on a tracked loader. To prove this point, David left his job and walked into the local CAT dealer and bought a brand-new CTL with all the savings he had in the bank. He then set about developing the grading technology to fit onto his newly acquired machine and started his own grading business; International Fine Grade, or IFG.

David was able to prove that CTLs offered a great grading solution. They were lower in cost than compact dozers, they were infinitely more versatile, quicker around the jobsite and easier to transport from job to job. There was buzz in the local Florida market; people were interested in David’s revolutionary grading solution, and David realized he could patent the method of grading and sell his grading solution.

In 2012 the first patent was awarded, and since then David’s Dozer has gone on to be awarded many more patents within the grading field. The company continued research and development on the grading solution. IFG evolved into David’s Dozer, which today is a vibrant company that manufactures and sells the V-Loc System. The key to the product’s advancement is that the V-Loc System has been developed from the ground up by someone who has sat in the operator’s seat for many years and therefore understands every aspect and challenge of the grading cycle. This has been a key aspect of the company’s growth and is clearly reflected in the design of the V-Loc System.