Sounds like the material is not as bad as I thought, but getting into large chunks, that can be rough work. At least you've gotten into it already, definitely always worth seeing what you can do with a machine, but like I said, it's also smart to recognize when you need something better suited for the work, no sense in hammering what you own, I'll bet it's a handy machine to have, I've done a lot of work with the Cat 977L and 955.
It can be more difficult to get a cut going the way you want it when you don't have tilt, and the track frames are fixed, don't contour to the the ground when uneven, not sure but would think the 555 has fixed track frames. That would not matter so much in nice material, and in general but it's a contributing factor, you can use logs, old timbers, to get one side higher, and get a cut started with some pitch if needed, but tilt on a dozer with side push arms, oscillating track frames, like the older Cat's would be ideal for side hill work in the conditions you describe if it's hard to keep the cut flat as you are working. Everyone has a preference on things like this when it comes to excavation, and although sometimes a crawler loader is not the most efficient means, sometimes it just takes a lot longer, but if you hook onto ledge, buried chunks etc. that don't budge, remember those loader arms, really not meant for that abuse, at least in my opinion. Just don't dig in against one and try and push one out if it's a real tough one, better to dig around it, loosen things up first, I've been put on rock and mud jobs with D4's and D3's, moved rocks bigger than the machine, just have to take your time, unburying them can be a real chore. D4 - older or late model, I had a new D4G out on rental a few years ago, was a nice strong machine, great on fuel. One thing to consider, is that when working in that material, a 6 way blade really is not meant for that kind of abuse, better for grading and cutting loose or clean material, something with side push arms mounted off the track frames will stand up to the abuse much better, when you catch a corner of the blade onto one of those chunks and are trying to push it out, that can transfer a lot of forces to the blade assembly, also depends on how far the operator pushes it. I tore a tilt cylinder out of it's pin bushing on a D6 once, working in excavated rocky fill, it pin/bushing was worn out, and I had just caught a large rock too much to one side, so the weak spot failed, had I been in dirt, probably would have lasted years. Even being a careful operator, respecting the machine you are using, it happens, the nature of the game. You might check into the local rental houses, see what they have available, especially if the 555A serves most of your needs otherwise, and if the dozer will only get used on this job. Would be nice to have a ripper, I'd be curious to see the results of using one on your job, sounds like a larger tractor with one could really tear up the material well in that area.
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