Sprinkle yeast over warm water and mix well. Set aside
Place water, sugar, and shortening in mixer and turn on. Mix about 1 minute. Mix about 1 more minute.
Turn off mixer and add half of flour mixture (4 1/2 lbs.). Turn mixer back on and mix 2 or 3 minutes. Add salt, turn mixer back on and let mix about 1 minute then turn off and add the other half of flour mixture (4-41/2 lbs.). Let dough mix well until it surrounds dough hook. You want dough to be moist but not sticky. If sticky add small amounts of flour until right consistency.