[RIC]

I have a question about Laser levels that some how attach to a skid steer for grading.

Has any one used one and can they tell me how well they work. Which manufactures should I look at and at what cost.

I have a laser level with detector and have been using it to set grade stakes. Can I some how add a laser to my skid steer to be able to grade better?? Of course I am wondering if I could attach my present detector to my Skid Steer and make it work???

BTW I have a call into a laser company that tells me they have a set up that involves a box blade that adjusts automatic. The salesman is to call me back since I only talked with a tech that couldn't quote me prices. I am sure it will not be a in-expense system.

I also feel the laser level would not be a answer for all things. That is why I would like some input.

[HRLand]

I've never used one but I watched a tennis court company use the box blade last year and it was impressive. The owner told me it ran him about $13k but I don't remember if that included the laser itself, probably not.

After the guys left for the day we decided to check the grade since we had a transit set up already and that base was right on the money.

[RIC]

HRLand

Thanks for the reply. At $ 13K for just the box blade with laser leveler I think this might be out of my price range. I don't have to do that precise of work and would have a hard time justifying an out lay like that. I will admit you hit me with sticker shock. I was thinking it was more like $5 K.

Most of the leveling around our new homes here are done at a slope. This might mean more time reseting the laser than doing the actual grading. I am not a super great grader or dirt guy and was looking for a way to make up for my in-experience

[Paul]

For rough grading you can get a laser receiver that attaches to the skid steer with a bracket that allows you to see the grade it dosn't allow the machine to auto grade. Price for this run from $1000 to $5000. Next you need a slope laser more Big $$.

[RIC]

Originally posted by Paul
For rough grading you can get a laser receiver that attaches to the skid steer with a bracket that allows you to see the grade it dosn't allow the machine to auto grade. Price for this run from $1000 to $5000. Next you need a slope laser more Big $$.

Thanks Paul

That sounds more like what I am looking for. I don't do enough grading to justify spending big bucks for the auto-grader.

Looking at my laser level, I don't think it could be hooked the Skid Steer in any way that would work. The detector gives high and low sound signals that I wouldn't be able to hear when operating the skid steer and the visual I don't think I could see. I really like the laser Level because it makes a two man operation into a one man. I mostly use the Laser level for Drainage code when installing new or replacement sod and the City engineer gives us the cut marks to shoot from.

[Paul]

Here are some receivers that work with skid steers

http://www.trimble.com/lr21.html

http://www.topcon.co.jp/eng/survey/ls-b4.html

http://www.apache-laser.com/product/machine.htm

These are not the same ones that come with your laser they are designed to be mounted on a machine.

If you are grading lots which means they need to slope down (drain away from the house) you need a slope laser! This laser is adjustable as in you can adjust the plane of the the beam so it slopes up or down by percentages.

[RIC]

Originally posted by Paul
Here are some receivers that work with skid steers

http://www.trimble.com/lr21.html

http://www.topcon.co.jp/eng/survey/ls-b4.html

http://www.apache-laser.com/product/machine.htm

These are not the same ones that come with your laser they are designed to be mounted on a machine.

If you are grading lots which means they need to slope down (drain away from the house) you need a slope laser! This laser is adjustable as in you can adjust the plane of the the beam so it slopes up or down by percentages.

Paul

Thanks again you have given me a lot to think about and ask the Laser salesman. Two of those website gave the local company as a distributor of there product.

[RIC]

Paul, HRLand and other interested parties.

I talked with a salesmen this morning and the box blade with auto laser leveling is now in the $ 14K range before sales tax. That doesn't include the Laser.

The salesman assured me it would auto cut level faster than my two speed machine could push the box blade. I can not justify a purchase of this nature but it was interesting to learn of this. As a small time landscaper I don't think my work calls for this much expertise. But I can see how much time and money it can save other construction. Certainly the Tennis court base is a good example of the need for a laser box blade.

For $ 1895.00 I can get a good 360 degree Detectors that will give reading as to my actual grade. This might be a more affordable purchase since it would work with my present Laser.

Thank you for your replies, they were very helpful and right on.

[Dragonfly]

Slope lasers are not easy to set up and cost $$$$$$$$$$$$$ usually grading / earth moving contractors have these. By the time you set it up you can grade a small yard by eye and already be done.

[Paul]

Dragonfly Slope lasers are not easy to set up

It all depends on the laser you buy, our last dual slope laser was simple just punch the slope percentage into it and go. More $$ but when your dropping $5K to $7K on a laser go with the best you can buy.

[RIC]

Paul

A dump question about slope lasers if you please?

When setting up a slope laser on a very long length and short width rectangle. Will the far corner not be higher than the closest point to the laser????

By tilling the plane of the laser is the laser not shooting to a lower point at the closest distances to it than the further distance from it in a straight line.

Below is a quick set up of what I am trying to explain. Point A is closest to the laser while point B is a property line further from the laser



Laser
set up

*---------------* A





















-----------------*B

[Paul]

It depends on how you set up the laser. I can set one up so point A is lower or point B is lower, also where the laser is placed makes a differance. The hardest to understand is a dual slope were A1(left hand side) is lower than A2(right hand side) and both are higher than B1 or B2.

[RIC]

Paul

Thanks again, I am all of a sudden realizing you have to set up on all 3 axis in order for a slope laser to be perfect. On a level laser you need only one axis to set up and the laser level gives you the 2nd axis which is level. Any way I believe any better explanation would have to be in person with some kind of visual aids.