Laser Level

[Blaneypark]

First off I know this is a tractor forum. I'm looking to buy a mid priced Laser Level. I have a job to do with my tractor (JD 3520 & ASV 30) to dig out a basement in a hill side and to level a pad for a pole barn. Looking to get some ideas as to what Laser Level to get for this job. I will have other use for this also.

 

[Tomtint]

Anything will work. They can be found at HDepo or Lowes from 50.00 to 600.00

 

[oosik]

Ha,ha - - I laugh. Yes, anything WILL work. Neighbor borrowed his BIL's laser level "system". He & I were leveling a spot for another hay barn. I remember the brand was THIMBLE or something close to that. After poking around with it for an hour - we finally came to the conclusion - neither of us had the foggiest idea how this thing worked.

We got out an old carpenters level and a 5' rod and completed the job. Some times simple is just a lot better.

 

[Baby Grand]

I read somewhere that the ancient Egyptians leveled the bases for their Pyramids by using a trench around the perimiter that was filled with water.
About as simple as it gets.
A little more complex, but much easier to make & use:
Making and Using a Water Level

 

[DFB]

Mid price...so what's the budget?

I used this one before makes things so easy with the laser detector
CST/Berger 800 ft. Dual Beam Rotary Laser Level-57-LM30PKG - The Home Depot

IMO definitely a worthy investment if you do outdoor grade work and a person probably would not have much problem selling one used

With the tripod and detector

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lgReSKanmRg


You can probably also rent one



Me and my GC bud used this type of unit to check sonotubes his old gf and a kid she hired hand dug and set for a gazebo. She wanted wanted us to place the concrete. We couldn't make her understand that just because the ground looked level and setting the sonotubes at the same height off of the ground didn't make it level it...was off in two directions

Bosch owns CSTBerger now I understand

Bosch Dial-In Grade Rotary Laser with Anti-Theft Alarm GRL 500 HCK - coptool.com


There are also other units more suited to inside layout work and made to hang on studs

 

[jenkinsph]

A simple level is all you need for short distance leveling. I have a Topcon for 3600 ft shots that's good for fields. But I also have a much cheaper Dewalt and it seems to be accurate too. A water level is actually a precise method and inexpensive.

 

[PILOON]

" A water level is actually a precise method and inexpensive. "
YEP, actually any hose will do as long as you can add about 2-3' of clear tubing at both ends.
Water will always seek its own level so it is as simple as having same amount showing at both ends.
Color the water if you want to make it clearer to see.
With a 50" hose you could build a house level.

 

[stingray1]

A water level is simple and precise.

 

[MHarryE]

I needed something for some ditching and decided to try the inexpensive Harbor Freight just to see how it would work. After all, it's a beam of light so once level, there will be no error. Worked perfect. The leveling was right on; however, after a couple years the motor gave out. Knowing how useful it was I invested in a more expensive Johnson laser that was available locally and had very good feedback on the Internet. It has worked very well but a laser detector is needed in daylight. It's not going to be like a Trimble or Topcon but for small jobs it gets the job done and is more convenient than the tube and water method although I don't believe anything is as accurate.

 

[cat fever]

I read somewhere that the ancient Egyptians leveled the bases for their Pyramids by using a trench around the perimiter that was filled with water.
About as simple as it gets.
A little more complex, but much easier to make & use:
Making and Using a Water Level

Baby grand's link says it all; Get some clear 3/8 or 1/2 inch tubing put some colored water in it (no bubbles) not even a laser level will be as good as this.

 

[Billrog]

I bought a level laser with a detector for a rod as well as the boom on the backhoe great investment saves a lot of time. There are a no. of good ones to buy in the $1,000 range. The one I bought is water and dust proof 40 hr. battery life before recharging came with a $580.detector for the boom tri pod and stick for $1,200.

 

[MHarryE]

I bought a level laser with a detector for a rod as well as the boom on the backhoe great investment saves a lot of time. There are a no. of good ones to buy in the $1,000 range. The one I bought is water and dust proof 40 hr. battery life before recharging came with a $580.detector for the boom tri pod and stick for $1,200.

Are you able to tilt the laser accurately for slope? I need to put in a sewer line on our farm this summer and have only thought about using my simple laser and the detector, then doing a lot of measuring. I hadn't thought of having the laser set for my slope and having a detector on the stick. My brain has been marred by some of the Trimble equipment Caterpillar sells under their own name (partnership). It could take 2 days to calibrate a prototype system after mechanics got it installed, but then all the operator had to do was the rough operation. The electronics took over the bucket controls and cut the grade within 1/8 inch, but electronics and software were beyond any small operator's means. So I have been blinded by the simpler solutions out there although we do have a Trimble AG unit for spreading fertilizer and spraying. Ours is Trimble but under the New Holland brand.

 

[EddieWalker]

When setting the forms for the concrete footings on my gazebo, I used a clear tube filled with water to get them all at the same height. For bigger projects and greater distances I have a Spectra laser level. It's a professional grade kit that includes the laser, tripod, measuring stick and target. I bought it used on Ebay for $300 after looking for it several months.

Spectra LL100N-2 Precision Laser Level - Rotary Lasers - Amazon.com

Eddie

 

[EddieWalker]

When setting the forms for the concrete footings on my gazebo, I used a clear tube filled with water to get them all at the same height. For bigger projects and greater distances I have a Spectra laser level. It's a professional grade kit that includes the laser, tripod, measuring stick and target. I bought it used on Ebay for $300 after looking for it several months.

Spectra LL100N-2 Precision Laser Level - Rotary Lasers - Amazon.com

Eddie

 

[Billrog]

Spectra's are a good level mine is a agatec can't remember the no. it will do slopes but I don't mess with it for slopes I just dig the indicator on the receiver whether your high or low on grade( with 3 or 4 lites) and give you a good enough indication. You can just dig 10 or 12' at a time and lay the pipe dead on if your concerned because of limiting factors like min. slope. I agree machine controlled lasers are cost prohibitive.