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Rotary laser level

Welder Dave

Senior Member
Joined
Oct 11, 2014
Messages
12,257
Location
Canada
Has anyone set up a manually controlled laser level on a blade or bucket to get a level grade? I was reading where it was used on a pull type box blade for levelling fields and thought it might be a lot less expensive than a full automatic system. The green laser is apparently easier to see in daylight but was just wondering if anyone has done this and what laser set up they used.
 

Queenslander

Senior Member
Joined
Apr 5, 2009
Messages
1,227
Location
Australia
I once mounted a standard hand held receiver on the blade of an open cab dozer to rough in some feedlot pens.
Was using a dual grade laser cutting slope on both axis and, once I developed some rhythm, it worked better than I expected.
Had no trouble seeing the screen and could even hear the beeping above all the racket.
Part of the success was being able to see the indicator, blade and where I was headed all at once.
I later tried an indicator on a Gannon type box blade but found it harder to come to grips with because of the need to look away to steer etc.
 
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Willie B

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Joined
Jan 2, 2016
Messages
4,039
Location
Mount Tabor VT
Occupation
Electrician
25 years ago a local excavator had one on a dozer. As I recall it was rigged as three different sounds on headphones the operator wore. It could be set at any plane, so grading along a slope worked OK but the transmitter had to be moved often.
 

Tags

Senior Member
Joined
Feb 19, 2012
Messages
1,610
Location
Connecticut
I just use a simple magnetic mount receiver that has noise and lights to tell you if you are high or low. Are usually just stick it to the arm of the excavator, I have made a mount to go on to a dozer blade, a pice of 5’ long 2” square tubing with a mounting plate, find grade, place sensor on and go. Way better than guessing or having a guy chase you around checking grade. Not as good as a full machine control system but it works good enough to get you close.
 

LN Pipeline

Well-Known Member
Joined
Feb 21, 2019
Messages
150
Location
Montana, USA
I just use a simple magnetic mount receiver that has noise and lights to tell you if you are high or low. Are usually just stick it to the arm of the excavator, I have made a mount to go on to a dozer blade, a pice of 5’ long 2” square tubing with a mounting plate, find grade, place sensor on and go. Way better than guessing or having a guy chase you around checking grade. Not as good as a full machine control system but it works good enough to get you close.

What setup is this? How much did it cost?
 

Blocker in MS

Senior Member
Joined
Nov 5, 2019
Messages
781
Location
Mississippi
If you search around some the old Laser Plane systems are out there for sale. Trouble is that they are not supported. I have a couple around at home, one of the earlier ones would be perfect for that operation. Everybody dragging buckets around here used to know about Prince Albert receivers. They were hollow and would slide down on something like a 1.5-2” pipe and could simply clamp them on. Very robust made for machine control. They were corded and had to have a control box to indicate, but you could take the system off each day very quickly if needed.
 

bam1968

Senior Member
Joined
Nov 1, 2014
Messages
528
Location
IA
Occupation
Excavating Contractor
I have a couple that we use on dozer blades similar to Tags set up. It takes a few mins to get set up but in my opinion it's well worth it.
 

terex herder

Senior Member
Joined
Nov 10, 2017
Messages
1,778
Location
Kansas
I have a receiver I mount on the side of my elevating scraper. It has about a 8" vertical receiving range. Day and night modes. The lights are bright enough to be seen in bright sunlight. 4 D batteries will last a couple of days. It gives you the advantage of a grade stick right there on the side of the machine.

The same receiver will also drive a bang bang valve when used with a cab display.
 

Welder Dave

Senior Member
Joined
Oct 11, 2014
Messages
12,257
Location
Canada
What brands of rotary lasers and receivers are you using and where do you buy them? I see Home Depot has them but I think a survey supply place or similar would have a lot more product knowledge. I need something with at least 500' range.
 

bam1968

Senior Member
Joined
Nov 1, 2014
Messages
528
Location
IA
Occupation
Excavating Contractor
A couple years ago I bought an elevating tripod. It has proved to be quite a time saver when setting up the laser.
 

Shimmy1

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Joined
Aug 14, 2014
Messages
4,257
Location
North Dakota
What brands of rotary lasers and receivers are you using and where do you buy them? I see Home Depot has them but I think a survey supply place or similar would have a lot more product knowledge. I need something with at least 500' range.
I will only use Spectra-Precision. Tried Topcon and AGL, was not satisfied with the performance. Currently running GL722, probably more than what you need, but they make them smaller.

Edit: This is a pretty good deal I think. Maybe you think you won't need slope capability. But, it's better to have and not need, than need and not have.
https://www.contractors-tools.com/s...4576648431543532&utm_content=BR - All Spectra
 
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Ronsii

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Joined
Jun 26, 2011
Messages
3,464
Location
Western Washington
Occupation
s/e Heavy equipment operator
I got one of those after using one of the agatec MR240's... I still prefer the MR240.. as it has more range and pretty decent coverage, I usually run it on a 2 inch square tube in a receiver I put on the blades for the excavators we use... also have used it on the stick for graded trench work... very handy when you're working solo :) In a pinch (when I forget something)I have also just taped out regular 'rod eyes' to the 2 inch tube I put on the blades - not much range of movement but a lot handier than getting off the machine to check grade all the time ;)

I bought the agatec when they were still sold under agatec's name and were around 300 bux... since the big guys bought the rights(still made by agatec in france) they doubled the price :(
 

Welder Dave

Senior Member
Joined
Oct 11, 2014
Messages
12,257
Location
Canada
I'll have to talk to the Spectra-Precision dealer. I like the CR600 receiver with the magnetic mount and can also use it with a grade rod. Could mount it on multiple machines and implements. Just need to figure out what laser level would be best. Being in Canada sure doesn't help with the price. The kit in Shimmy1's link is close to $3800 CAD! Nice to know what's rugged and what to stay away from. Looked at some Bosch but reading reviews warranty might be suspect if it quits.
 
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Ronsii

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Jun 26, 2011
Messages
3,464
Location
Western Washington
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s/e Heavy equipment operator
As a backup I also bought one of those 200 dollar import lasers with dual slope a remote...etc... only thing I don't like compared to the regular CST berger/lasermark units we use is the rechargeable batteries... if you're on a job and they go dead you can't just open it up and pop in more...
 

dozr

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Joined
Dec 15, 2013
Messages
272
Location
alabama
Occupation
excaving
have used a top con becton on top of blade for 4 5 and 600 foot chicken house pads worked real good carryed my own grade.allso worked on trackhoe for gas tank holes just have to have boom in same place to check grade. but was good enought to keep man out of hole.
 

terex herder

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Nov 10, 2017
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Location
Kansas
For you folks running the receiver on the hoe, what do you do to make sure the bucket is in the same place each time?
 

Ronsii

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Jun 26, 2011
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3,464
Location
Western Washington
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s/e Heavy equipment operator
For you folks running the receiver on the hoe, what do you do to make sure the bucket is in the same place each time?
I hear a lot of guys say they put the bucket flat on the bottom.... this routine didn't work for me as flat with a big bucket can vary a couple inches at the stick! and I just found it easier to get the bucket at max length(front edge straight up n down) which also give way less error if you don't have it perfectly straight ;) and it saves time cause I'm usually finishing the bottom of the trench like a grader shaving :)
 
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