Laser Grading

[rkeith]

I'm a little late to this thread but want to add my :2cents: since I deal with latitude/longitude at work. I'm an IT guy and you can take a latitude/longitude and convert them to the x-axis and y-axis (like in geometry) BUT you can also get the z-axis as well. The z-axis is elevation. It's a part of the Haversine formula. When you go to a website (lowes, home depot, walmart, etc.) and you look for your closest store using a store locator, if it's done right they will use the z-axis. The reason why is because if you are on top of the mountain and the store is in the valley in 2d it may be 1 mile, but in 3d it may be 1 mile plus the 2 miles down in elevation.

So long story short... yes, GPS can be used to determine elevation and very accurately!

 

[bruceki]

I've got a harley pro 8 rake and I'd love to have it be laser controlled. Would you mind sharing what you've found? I've got a 65 acre pasture that I'd like to level but I don't want to spend $10k on a laser box blade or $5k/acre on professional.

Bruce / 206 940 4980
bruceki@bigpig.net

 

[CLinton_in_FL]

There is a guy on here that has a laser grader, he maintains ball fields I think. He has a nice setup. Many people would say just clamp it on your box blade, and go to town. I would think for best/cheapest results, you would get a pull type box blade, and a laser level. Some cheapish laser levels will give you slope, and 360 degree for a 600+ ft radius.