More Laser Levels

Excalibur

I have seen lasers on construction sites and I know a little about laser levels but I am curious about the mounting methods on excavators and skid steers. Also is there a display onboard the equip, such as red light / green light, or is there a control integrated into the hydralic controls of the machine. Do any of the manufacturers of these levels have websites where i could learn more?

Bob

jmic

The sensor for my laser is magnetic and just mounts to the side of the stick, works great, cost was around 900.00. Just follow series of lights for grade. Although I've never had the opportunity to use one but I believe you can get them to operate like a dozer blade or grader blade through the hydraulic valve. You need to keep feeding them with material with another machine, perhaps a loader or dump series of small piles of materials with dump trucks. I can imagine these would be good for doing large parking lots or anything, large slab areas, tennis courts ect...

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Joe

Excalibur

I am assuming that you have to mount the magnetic sensor after you have gotten to the desired depth with the bucket and set up the laser unit. If that is so, then you will need to do a manual depth check with a survey stick?

rino1494

We've never used the target on the machine, because you have to have the bucket and stick in the same position each time to be accurate. It would be good get within a few tenths. We just use a laborer maning the stick.

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Excalibur

Ahhh now I see. I was having trouble figuring out how it could work with much accuracy mounted to the hoe.

jmic

Rhino,
Buddy, don't take this the wrong way cause everyone has thier own ways, but whats cheaper 900.00 for a sensor or paying a laborer after the course of a year whenever he would be holding a stick for lazer? Once you get used to it it's no big deal, you dig, then like you said check it with the stick and bucket in the same position. Sure goes quick and laborer can be on another job making $$$. Myself I almost prefer working alone, I know what has to be done for the day, I get it done and I'm outta there.

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Joe

jmic

Ex,
IMO it's very quick, and accurate, I'll give you any cellar hole within 2 tenths and like I posted above, no wages, no w.c. ins., don't have to feed it, it don't take cig. breaks, no glaring looks or back talk , no complaints of being to hot/cold, no paid vacations...............maybe it's just me, but it seems like a win/win situation!

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Joe

Excalibur

JMIC
I understand what you mean about less expense, and agrivation. It truly is a win/win situation, you never have to look for buddy to come over and hold the stick. I had been thinking that you used the laser on every scoop, thats why it wasn't making sense to me. Your method sounds great for a small operation where there isnt an abundance of spare bodies on site.

Bob

denick

Bob,

Some of the major laser instrument companys thatyoumightt look up on 7the internet are,

Topcon, AGL, Nikon, Ocala instrument, Stanley who now owns David White Inst. and CST/Berger, Leica who now owns Laser Alignment and Trimble who now owns Spectra Percision.

Nick

Excalibur

Nick
Thanks for the info, I will check out these company's and see what they have to offer.

Bob

jojo

JEEEEEZZZZ.. all this lazer talk,,$900,,too rich for my blood(for now anyway)..how about some tips on the old transit/level,,,I'm not cheap,,just broke,,

denick

JoJo,

What is it you want to know about levels or transits?

Nick

jojo

I have used transits/level's in the past ,but not for excavating,,just like to know any tricks to it, or pit falls,,untill I can afford a laser,,I will have to suffer with something for a couple hundred bucks,,,what brand name,,what power,,auto level ,,that kind of stuff

rino1494

If you are using a transit, it is a real PITA if you are by yourself. You will have to build a stand to hold the stick while you look through the glass.

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jmic

Hey Jojo,
This isn't going to help you but I use both laser and transit hand and hand. Use the transit to shoot and establish my elevation, then laser for keeping grade. I don't like using laser for establishing elevations, to old fashion I guess, I'de rather use the transit and do all my math on pad.

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Joe

jmic

When I'm by myself and have to use transit I'll use the legs for the laser to hold the stick, I know Jojo doesn't have a laser so no extra legs, that my friend could be a problem, unless you buy a set of legs or just make something

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Joe

jmic

Jojo,
What I do is shoot bechmark and add what you read to bechmark elevation, this gives me the elevation of my transit which i use to establish the elevations requiered on the site plan by engineer.

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Joe

rino1494

You mean that you have engineers set grade for the houses ???

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jmic

We always get house location staked by surveyor and elevations set by engineer, (very, very critical ) most of the sites we build on the houses are within a couple of tenths away from set backs, sometimes we need to get the surveyor back after footings are poured to pin the walls. The elevations are very critical, the size house that the towns let you build are determined by the grade planes.
Now years ago on a acre lot with 40' setbacks when you had 40'-50' lead way I'de just stumble out there and stake it out myself, but around here those days are gone, If these customers are building 1.5 - 3mil. houses they can afford to spend a few bucks to have it professionally located

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Joe

rino1494

Around me, I haven't seen a township check a set-back yet. We've had situations where a house is too big to fit and we have to adjust them around on the lot to get them to fit....and sometimes, they don't.........lol

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