I'm fairly new to running a grader. We purchased a Deere 770b for use on our farm/ranch. I'm looking for the best tool to mount in cab to show elevation increase/decrease. We are wanting to build small dikes in our fields to hold/ catch snow and water. Getting a rough estimate of elevation changes should help us Any recommendation or ideas would be great. Not looking to spend a large amount. Thanks
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Best way to get elevation change
- Thread starter Kjb
- Start date
Construct'O
Senior Member
Get slope meter and mount it in the cab.Cheap and easy.Good luck
blademan150
Well-Known Member
Kjb, If you are looking for elevation change i.e. feet above sea level, my Garmin gps has that feature, then when you're done in the machine you can take it with you. If you are looking for cross slope my I phone 4s has a level tool in it that gives percentages, you could attach either of them to glass with any of a hundred different mounts available. Just some thoughts good luck.......Blademan150
rsherril
Senior Member
- Joined
- May 2, 2009
- Messages
- 264
- Location
- Far West Colorado
- Occupation
- Geologist, Retired from teaching sciences
If you have open fields, look at some of the spinning laser levels set-ups. I was recently quoted a price of over $200 for a new slope meter and I know you can get a laser set-up for much less than that and it is more versatile. You will have to figure out how to get your readings while staying in the machine and you will need a little knowledge on how to determining elevation changes. Shouldn't be too complicated.
Last edited:
Thanks for the feedback. I was wondering about the garmin gps. I didnt realize they did elevation at first.
Most dikes would be anywhere from 100 - 600 yards, and just getting a quick reading of elevation change would tell me where to put the dike. I have a slope meter in cab, doesn't that just give me slope as the tires sit. ( I could be wrong as I haven't used it much).
Most fields are dry land alfalfa. So not looking to be exact, but need to conserve what water we get. Thanks again for ideas
Most dikes would be anywhere from 100 - 600 yards, and just getting a quick reading of elevation change would tell me where to put the dike. I have a slope meter in cab, doesn't that just give me slope as the tires sit. ( I could be wrong as I haven't used it much).
Most fields are dry land alfalfa. So not looking to be exact, but need to conserve what water we get. Thanks again for ideas
rsherril
Senior Member
- Joined
- May 2, 2009
- Messages
- 264
- Location
- Far West Colorado
- Occupation
- Geologist, Retired from teaching sciences
Take a look at this thread
If your looking for cheap, the old optical mechanical self-levelers are often being given away these days. Requires a rod with markings. No batteries needed.
Thinking out loud now, Why not try mounting the self-leveler on the machine and putting the rod in a tripod to fix your elevation when you start out. Get a tablet, pencil and calculator for subtracting and adding. It requires thinking and walking when you have to reset your rod. Helps to draw pictures with your numbers as you go. Easily should be accurate for tenths of a foot. Would have to be mounted well with a good view of the rod. They take a lot of abuse if you lock them down while moving them.
If your looking for cheap, the old optical mechanical self-levelers are often being given away these days. Requires a rod with markings. No batteries needed.
Thinking out loud now, Why not try mounting the self-leveler on the machine and putting the rod in a tripod to fix your elevation when you start out. Get a tablet, pencil and calculator for subtracting and adding. It requires thinking and walking when you have to reset your rod. Helps to draw pictures with your numbers as you go. Easily should be accurate for tenths of a foot. Would have to be mounted well with a good view of the rod. They take a lot of abuse if you lock them down while moving them.