Excavator Laser Detector

[AWJ Services]

I talked to my Laser guy and Leica has a new Depth master detector that goes on the Boom but also has a wireless clear led indicator that suction cups to your excavator window.So you can look at the one in the cab and or the one on the boom.

He also has a demo model for the one that has the display in the cab and the sensors mounted on the boom to give real time real bucket position.
This will be installed with a warranty for 8k.

What are your experiences with these style detectors?

I now KSSS and RSG both have the Apache right?

I had a major catastrophe with my ditch monkey and the grade stick last week.
I dug 3 serial trenches with about 6 inches of drop between them and the end of the last one was within 1 inch of the first.:hammerhead:
I usually pay better attention , but my helper seemed to have a grasp on the lasers operation.:cool2:

[bobcat_ron]

We use an Apache as well, it has a plumb meter on it so your readings are always when the stick is vertical and it will tell you when it's not plumb.
Only problem is that you don't get a nice smooth level unless you are willing to keep the stick plumb and walk the machine up and down your grade.
Set up is a bit of a pain as you have to make sure the magnetic bas is even with the stick so the plumb reading is correct.

[ksss]

We use an Apache as well, it has a plumb meter on it so your readings are always when the stick is vertical and it will tell you when it's not plumb.
Only problem is that you don't get a nice smooth level unless you are willing to keep the stick plumb and walk the machine up and down your grade.
Set up is a bit of a pain as you have to make sure the magnetic bas is even with the stick so the plumb reading is correct.


All that is true.

Although the Bullseye 6 has a larger angle compensating capacity, which helps , it takes a little getting used to.

I saw a system like the one AWJ is describing at ConExpo. I thought it was from AGL but I could not find it on their website. They mount sensors on the boom and a wireless clear indicator in the cab. The demo they had set up was very cool. It would be tempting. Its better than the Apache system as far as easy of reading your grade, but it costs 4Xs as much. I think that system would be the ticket for digging foundations or similiar type excavation work. If your digging septic laterals and footings the Apache works very well. On the deeper stuff where the stick must be plumb the Apache takes some practice. The other nice thing is the equipment is transferable to other equipment. I liked that about the Apache.

[AWJ Services]

I am sure the boom mount has it's limitations but with septic laterals a couple inches tolerance is fine.

The 8k one has a real time lcd display that actually shows the depth of the bucket lip as it goes through it's arc.It will do un level grades as well.
It has a laser reciever on it that every time you move the machine you raise it up and it catches the laser and works off of that point.

[ksss]

I am sure the boom mount has it's limitations but with septic laterals a couple inches tolerance is fine.

The 8k one has a real time lcd display that actually shows the depth of the bucket lip as it goes through it's arc.It will do un level grades as well.
It has a laser reciever on it that every time you move the machine you raise it up and it catches the laser and works off of that point.


That is the same concept as CATs Accugrade. There are some limitations to that rebenching technique.

[AWJ Services]

http://www.agatec-na.com/pdf/AGATEC%20MR360.pdf

Here is the detector.

For the real time units have a small catch when using them on mini ex's.

[Scag48]

Interesting setup. Ballpark cost?

[AWJ Services]

About 2k

That is there asking price

[Scag48]

Right on. Does that include the cab mounted display as well as the boom mounted reciever? Not a bad deal, although it does seem somewhat spendy for just a reciever and wireless display. The plumb indicator is pretty sweet though.

[AWJ Services]

Yes.

They are spendy but most all of the companies similar detectors are at least 1500.