Finally built a laser grading rig using my box blade.

[jenkinsph]

Started on this build last September and had to work on it in my spare time. Still have a few things left to do but was able to try it out today. I basically added caster wheels to the box blade. Usin g Topcon equipment and a Danfoss PVG 32 proportional valve. All joints were made with close tolerance bushing stock and have grease fittings.

I tried it out for about 6 hours today and it seemed to work pretty well.

Here are some pictures.

 

[Snobdds]

That's sweet....

 

[Complete Turf Care]

Looks really nice. How wide is your blade? Why do you need the dual masts?

 

[jenkinsph]

Looks really nice. How wide is your blade? Why do you need the dual masts?

The blade is 84 inches.

Lots of slope work so I decided to go with independent control for each caster. Also I appreciate your help with the pm 's you have answered.

 

[madpuma13]

I'd love to read more about your build. I'd like to do the same thing with my rear blade but don't know exactly where to begin.

I'm not very familiar with the laser receptors? Where do you get them? How are they controlled? Is it fully mechanical/hydraulic or is there a software component somewhere?

 

[sixdogs]

Wow, that's clever.

 

[mopardude318]

wow...I wouldn't even know where to start...

 

[jenkinsph]

I'd love to read more about your build. I'd like to do the same thing with my rear blade but don't know exactly where to begin.

I'm not very familiar with the laser receptors? Where do you get them? How are they controlled? Is it fully mechanical/hydraulic or is there a software component somewhere?

The set up is simple, a rotating laser is placed in the field at a known elevation. In this case the slope is set to .350 % on the laser and the cross slope is level. The laser beam is picked up by the receivers on the masts which will read whether the light beam is high or low. When the beam is centered you are on grade, when the beam is high or low the receivers send this information back to the control head and correction signals are sent to the hydraulic valve. The hydraulic valve operates the cylinders raising and lowering the wheels to hold the grade. As the wheels raise and lower this in turn moves the receivers up and down. The receivers are trying to stay centered with the laser line. This in turn holds the blade in line or on grade.

Basically you have Electric control over a hydraulic valve.
The laser is set above the height of the tractor cab so that the laser and receivers have a clear line of sight. Here is a picture of the laser on the tripod. This is a Topcon RL200 two slope laser on a Crain tripod.

 

[Complete Turf Care]

Do you have remote control for the laser?

I can change my grade from the tractor which is VERY handy.

It's a small hand held remote about the size of a deck of cards

 

[downsizingnow48]

Very interesting and a lot of nice work.