Thanks, B/O. I think Twisted uses the 600 on his hoe. I know he uses it on the dozer. Here's how I see it. If you're looking for rough cut (within a few tenths) the 600 would be fine. Not saying there aren't guys that can do it, but there is way too much that comes in to play to get pass after pass accuracy with a basic indicator on the stick. Anyone who has ever run the rod with a laser KNOWS how much a little angle on the stick affects readings. Then, take into account the curl of the bucket can throw you off another couple tenths.
Thanks, B/O. I think Twisted uses the 600 on his hoe. I know he uses it on the dozer. Here's how I see it. If you're looking for rough cut (within a few tenths) the 600 would be fine. Not saying there aren't guys that can do it, but there is way too much that comes in to play to get pass after pass accuracy with a basic indicator on the stick. Anyone who has ever run the rod with a laser KNOWS how much a little angle on the stick affects readings. Then, take into account the curl of the bucket can throw you off another couple tenths.
Appreciate it, Bliz. I have a 722. Range is great, the remote will work as far as the laser will reach. Easy enough to get comfortable knowing the axis and to get it oriented properly for cutting grade. It will shoot what I feel is dead accurate up to about 800 ft. You can do rough checks with the grade rod up to a ¼ mile. I tried a couple of Topcons before I bought the 722. Learned my lesson for distance work. I so a lot of grade matching with culverts. I never thought much of a remote until I got a good one.
If you put it on the bucket, you can achieve better than half-tenth accuracy. I used the angle compensate for about two months before I decided I wanted more accuracy. Problem with having it on the stick is your working range is about 10-15 feet out in front of the hoe and that's it. Then, you have the bucket curl to try and work with. I thought about getting just a plumb indicator for the bucket, but that doesn't help at all with the range. A lot of ditches are so deep or you have to sit so far away that the angle of the stick is such that you can't use it. Having it on the bucket solves both problems. I haven't had any problems with the 60 yet, if I do I'll take it to Fargo and have General check it out. If it were to have a catastrophic failure that required replacement I figure what it's made me I wouldn't like buying a new one, but it wouldn't be the end of the world.
For trenching, I think you will be good to go. You will probably set it up to grade with the bucket fully dumped. Then, your measurement is from the bucket teeth to the receiver. I don't know how big of hoe you run, but with my 210 I can grade about 10-12' confidently in the range of the receiver. One other thing, if you can keep it on the dim setting, use it. The bright setting really kills the batteries. I don't have rechargables so I can't plug it in every night. I get at least a week out of alkalines.
