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Do underground pipe locaters work???

J Olender

Well-Known Member
Joined
Apr 21, 2010
Messages
72
Location
Northern Ca
I'm looking for some reviews on under ground pipe locators. Are these worthy tools to invest in?? I've used several types and have not been too impressed- Your thoughts?!
 

powerjoke

Senior Member
Joined
Aug 2, 2009
Messages
1,125
Location
Missouri
Occupation
owner/operator/estimator/mechanic/grunt/ditchdigge
I have a Fischer 770 and it works great, simple and easy to use....place your transmitter and turn the reciever on and fallow the arrows....simple deal.

Pj
 

clay digger

Well-Known Member
Joined
Aug 20, 2010
Messages
62
Location
Saskatchewan, Canada
Occupation
Farmer
I have a Fisher TW6 and use it mostly for cable locates but it also works well for pipes. The ideal is if you can clip the transmitter on to one end of the pipe but it also has an attachment that lets you find a pipe even if you don't have access to the pipe. As Hendrik says, there is a little art/skill required to do a good job but the more you do the better you get.

One suggestion though, don't use this as a replacement for a "Dial before you dig' call for utilities.
 

heavylift

Senior Member
Joined
Sep 5, 2009
Messages
1,046
Location
KS
most common locater on the market today...very reliable ,, but can be costly

As for the digsafe they are 50% in my books...
We demo'ed one several years back...
set on ground after it located the pipe then it would tell the depth..
can't tell you the make ,but it did work...​
 

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DirtHauler

Senior Member
Joined
Nov 25, 2007
Messages
507
Location
Seattle WA
Occupation
Heavy Highway Dirt Hauler
:falldownlaugh
most common locater on the market today...very reliable ,, but can be costly

As for the digsafe they are 50% in my books...
We demo'ed one several years back...
set on ground after it located the pipe then it would tell the depth..
can't tell you the make ,but it did work...​

:falldownlaugh :falldownlaugh :exactly :falldownlaugh :drinkup
 

Turbo21835

Senior Member
Joined
Oct 20, 2007
Messages
1,135
Location
Road Dog
We have a ditch witch locator. Works pretty well as long as the person uses it has an idea on how to run it. Unfortunate for us, our office has decided that is is better used as a service to a national pipeline company. They have hired a person to run around and mark out pipelines.
 

powerjoke

Senior Member
Joined
Aug 2, 2009
Messages
1,125
Location
Missouri
Occupation
owner/operator/estimator/mechanic/grunt/ditchdigge
you guys need to try one like mine......you clip the transmitter on the wire and turn the reciever on....that's all there is to it. you watch the readout and it says left or right and gives a signal strength,

if it reads 20% strength and you push the depth button to get a reading and it tells you 900inches....chances are you're going the wrong way ;)

Next time I have it on a job I will make a vid "how to use a TW770" but really it will be as about as long as a video on "how to read a oil dipstick" lol



Pj
 

Dominion 410

Well-Known Member
Joined
Aug 7, 2008
Messages
240
Location
Ontario,Canada
locator

We use a Metrotech 810. Works good,and is quite accurate. We aslo use a Radiodetection locator with our sewer camera. There is a sonde built into the camera head and the locator picks up on it. Both units save time and expense.

Dominion:canada
 

bpogue

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jan 31, 2010
Messages
95
Location
Missouri
I currently use a Rycom locator and have been happy. Of course technology has changed since I bought mine. I agree that there is certainly skill involved in being able to get good consistent results. It takes time to master it. But I strongly encourage having one. I couldn't imagine digging without having one in my truck.
 
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