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Recent content by AGGIE SURVEYOR

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    Creating a digital model

    Unless you are doing something as simple as a pad or retention pond, and end even then not, never us a digitizer for a model. You need the accuracy of a cad file to get quality grading. For DOT jobs you can use station offset from a baseline to build everything, but again need the correct cad...
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    Topcon Millimeter GPS vs Trimble GPS

    I consult and build models for both. They are both good and any machine control is better than none, but I personally have my bias. For my own staking I use trimble heads with carlson data collection and carlson for models. I used Topcon Hiper Lite+ and then switched to trimble before playing...
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    Magnum mulching head

    You'll find the chipper style teeth cut far better, but never never let them touch soil. They will becom blunt like hammers in less than 10 hours. I run 15 eagle claw teeth in the center and hammers on each side. Sharpening is a pita, so don't plan on it. With chippers in the middle you can...
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    Trimble or Topcon?

    We have built models on two airport runways where accugrade was used for guidance. On both projects the contractor met all grade requirements without rework with machine control alone. My experience is that Trimble takes the most abuse without issue and works consistently.
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    3D Modeling

    Run contours in smaller increments like 0.10'. You will quickly see the blips.
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    Small Dolly paddle Scraper

    I have an 85hp mfwd tractor and am wondering if it will pull an 8cy dolly scraper with paddle wheel. :beatsme
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    Trimble or Topcon?

    It seems there are mixed results with glonass, but for me recently grade has been tighter without. No doubt downtime is less with glonass and that is a good justification for using it, but when there are 8 or more birds above 10 degrees with gps alone I find it to be a better solution. The...
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    Trimble or Topcon?

    That's what I was syaing. I get better results and tighter grade without glonass, but when the sky is closed due to buildings or trees I turn it on. If accurate grading can not be achieved because of a lack of birds then it is time to puul out the robot and rum machine control that way. I...
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    Trimble or Topcon?

    I have to disagree with you on the Glonass. I use it when necessary, and only when necessary. If there are enough birds for gps then Glonass should be turned off. As far as rotating screen issues I have only seen it with topcon systems. We run one system with Carlson grade and a single...
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    GPS and the Small Time Operator

    That is news to me. Every system I have been around needs a base station or reference statio. Some use the reference system for rough grade and it works well, but the latency with using modems can cause grading errors that wouldn't be acceptable for finish grade work. I have one customer that...
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    Carlson Grade

    Has anyone here used or demoed carlson grade either indicate or automated with moba? I have a couple contractors using it with topcon for gps. Its has been a bit cheaper to get started with and for a indicate only system it is my preference.
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    Got Cat 24M pics!

    No need on the M since their is an auto straightening button. Run forward articulated and when you switch to reverse hit the button and it lines right up.
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    How Did You Find Us?

    Found it on google searching for forums discussing machine control. I've been in business surveying and supporting machine control for two years and this is the first place I found with topics on it.
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    estimating software

    I use carlson take-off, but is about 9k. I use it for take-off quantities and 3d modeling. I don't know if you would find it easy, but it is quite awesome. With the extensive reports I have sold many change orders based on the information I can provide.
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    GPS and the Small Time Operator

    Yes, but when done right it is an invaluable tool. I have contractors using it on one finish dozer to those with a whole fleet. We build models on the run and run quantities daily. It doesn't take near as much money to set up an indicate only system that can be upgraded to full automation...
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