Described by local people as very intelligent and an expert at welding, Heemeyer constructed an improvised 85-ton
tank by welding two layers of steel
armor sandwiched with concrete onto a 53-ton
Komatsu D335A
bulldozer (which was initially identified as a
Caterpillar D9). His creation has been nicknamed "
Killdozer".
He had purchased the bulldozer to construct an alternate route to his muffler shop. This was because the concrete plant blocked the original road to his shop. However, city officials refused to grant him permission.
Other factors were also hindering his business.
The concrete plant often left large quantities of dust on Marvin's property, and cut him off from the city sewer line. When Heemeyer requested to extend a sewer line across eight feet of the plant's property, he was denied. Not being connected to the city sewer line resulted in a $2500 fine that Marvin had to pay.
As a last measure, Marvin petitioned the city with his neighbors and friends, but to no avail.
Faced with the failure of his business in spite of his efforts, Heemeyer was forced to sell the property. He was given six months to leave, and it was during this time that he constructed the
Killdozer.
