Where did term cat skinner for bulldozer operator come from?

The term "cat skinner" for a bulldozer operator originated from the early days of construction when bulldozers were sometimes referred to as "caterpillar tractors" or just "cats." The operator responsible for controlling the bulldozer was called a "skinner," likely because they had to skillfully maneuver the machine through rough terrain. Over time, the term "cat skinner" became synonymous with bulldozer operators.