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.

 

[jenkinsph]

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

Yes I can change grade and rotation speed and it has a display that emulates the laser display.

 

[Rustyiron]

First off, real nice job :thumbsup:
Boy I could ask a million questons... is the laser set up level (beam) & the receivers set the desired slope? Or vice versa (laser set to slope...)
Then there's the 2 slope thing....:confused3:

 

[jenkinsph]

First off, real nice job :thumbsup:
Boy I could ask a million questons... is the laser set up level (beam) & the receivers set the desired slope? Or vice versa (laser set to slope...)
Then there's the 2 slope thing....:confused3:

The laser is set to the desired slope, the receivers simply follow the laser beam.

 

[jenkinsph]

You can offset the receivers to allow for a steep grade if needed. You could trim a bank to get a uniform slope.

 

[Citydude]

Impressive!

 

[jenkinsph]

Thanks for the nice comments guys.

I plan to use it this summer. Add a fold down tongue, mounting for hoses and smv signs. Add simple caster locks for towing and other modifications

I did have concern over the 2x2 tubing used on the caster spindles. Sure enough the left side is tweaked and will require bracing. I will build new ones with thicker wall tubing soon.

After all the bugs are worked out I plan to clean up the parts and have them powder coated.

 

[Rustyiron]

You can offset the receivers to allow for a steep grade if needed. You could trim a bank to get a uniform slope.

...in elevation relative to the cutting edge?

I can't imagine that this is for "fooling around" on the ranch, what type of work do you do? Then again, why not around the ranch esp. if you only have 5" in 100'-200' to move water away from whatever. :thumbsup:

 

[jenkinsph]

...in elevation relative to the cutting edge?

I can't imagine that this is for "fooling around" on the ranch, what type of work do you do? Then again, why not around the ranch esp. if you only have 5" in 100'-200' to move water away from whatever. :thumbsup:

Yes, relative to the cutting edge. Allows you to trim the borders (Terrace rows) adding some uniformity to their shape. As long as these borders are in a straight line.

Yes this is for my business use doing NRCS projects.

 

[Complete Turf Care]

I noticed your control box in your tractor is up overhead.

Mine is mounted on my door handle on my right side. I find myself resting my right hand on the control box, and using the switches constantly.

I will switch to 'manual' to 'auto' constantly. This is mainly because when I hit a high area, my blade wants to go down and the wheels keep raising up until they can't anymore and my hydraulic system gets in a bind.

I also will switch to manual when I'm driving with an empty blade for another load. I feel that this helps keep the valves from operating more than necessary, therefor adding to it's lifespan and keeping the oil from overheating.

 

[kebo]

That is slick! But... it wasn't quite clear to me exactly you are trying to accomplish with that setup? Are you working to just level off a large area? Or maybe giving it an exact slope? What is the area to be used for?