Dipper mounter laser receiver

[doobin]

After using a standard receiver on a beam the other day, I think I will have to get some sort of digger receiver- it was really easy to level off.

Does anyone here have experience of both entry level and top end systems (where they compensate for boom not being plumb?) I really don't want to spend 2k- surely the CR600 will do all I need on a mini? I mean, it's really just to save getting out and checking manually.

 

[fred]

had both. All depends how accurate you want to be. A normal cheapy receiver can be mag mounted to the dipper and will work fine as long as you dont mind being +/- 40mm as its not easy to repeat the exact same dipper position every time unless you stop each time to check. I started out with this, got bored of the extra time it was taking and upgraded to the receiver that compensates for plumb. Means you just pull thorough and dont have to stop. Wish i'd knew about idig before though as that is better but 4x the cost.

I've still got the LR60 btw, open to offers

 

[Hg2702]

I’ve got the spectra £300 one It’s loud alright ! Very good for what it is and for the price cheap enough to have in the cab if it’s nit used all that often, tend to use it roughly then get the staff out for final trimming as 90% of the time there’s 2 of us

 

[Hg2702]

That’s the boy

 

[Keif]

I have the one above and a laser with a remote control to set grade on one of the planes. It is cool but I'm not the best operator and still figuring out the best ways to use it. The hardest thing is just digging and trusting the laser. Lol. I have a stick I bolt on the blade so it can be used on it or the dipper. Way better than getting off and on the machine or paying a helper.

 

[GazCro]

That’s the boy

I have the topcon version of this which as said above requires exact same dipper position each time. It depends what you use it for i find if your on footings you get used to seeing the high spots in the bottom and can just take them off by eye. As already pointed out great for bulk or rough work but double check with staff if wanting precision. A lot cheaper than going to idig but as I'm learning now it tempts you to go to the next step once you've had it a while. I think idig is close to being on the shopping list for me

 

[Furniss]

I have one of these.

Apache ATI950225 02 HAWKEYE Universal Laser Receiver

Apache ATI950225-02 HAWKEYE Universal Laser Receiver

www.popscreen.com

I have used it a few times over the years for blading off a horse arena dig or similar with it clacked onto the blade of the 8t and found it to be perfect for that but
for digging with it on the dipper its only really good for roughing out which you can pretty much do by eye anyhow - with just an odd nip out to check with the staff ......I would say minimum requirement would be a compensator for your dipper to make it useful.
Not sure with the arrival of Idig and such it has much of a place nowadays esp as those kind of systems should come down in price as competition increases.

 

[doobin]

I think I'll dip a toe at £300 and see how I go. I hardly ever do work where accuracy is critical. For small landscaping jobs there's always my workmate on site too and we just use the NivComp which is a fantastic bit of kit for every level you'd want to check on a garden landscape type job.

Would you guys say it would be OK for pulling a trench for pipework with the grade set on the laser? Will be wanting a decent proabbaly dual grade laser as well, mine isn't even self levelling!!

I was thinking I'd fab a small guage to attach to the dipper so I could see when it was plumb from the cab. It can't throw it out that much can it? I mean, half the time the bloke on the staff is holding it pissed anyhow!

 

[GazCro]

I think I'll dip a toe at £300 and see how I go. I hardly ever do work where accuracy is critical. For small landscaping jobs there's always my workmate on site too and we just use the NivComp which is a fantastic bit of kit for every level you'd want to check on a garden landscape type job.

Would you guys say it would be OK for pulling a trench for pipework with the grade set on the laser? Will be wanting a decent proabbaly dual grade laser as well, mine isn't even self levelling!!

Yeah dig to grade a lot with mine works good. As i say the only downside is you can end up with a wavy trench bottom but it's easy to see it and take the high spots off provided it's not real deep and narrow. End of the day if it's sewer runs you're bedding bottom anyway.

 

[Furniss]

I think I'll dip a toe at £300 and see how I go. I hardly ever do work where accuracy is critical. For small landscaping jobs there's always my workmate on site too and we just use the NivComp which is a fantastic bit of kit for every level you'd want to check on a garden landscape type job.

Would you guys say it would be OK for pulling a trench for pipework with the grade set on the laser? Will be wanting a decent proabbaly dual grade laser as well, mine isn't even self levelling!!

I was thinking I'd fab a small guage to attach to the dipper so I could see when it was plumb from the cab. It can't throw it out that much can it? I mean, half the time the bloke on the staff is holding it pissed anyhow!

Lots of our pipework is laid at 2% and we dig it smack on .... wouldnt work for that.

 

[GazCro]

Lots of our pipework is laid at 2% and we dig it smack on .... wouldnt work for that.

I'll have to disagree to a point with you there cos i manage. I do still check exact with the staff but it's not a complete replacement for another man or getting out yourself to check just that you can cut out 80% of the checking

 

[DaveDCB]

That’s the boy

Obviously I always grade upside down
I sometimes put my normal receiver on the other side as well if I’m being fussy, but I find it doesn’t matter so much and the one works fine . I personally can not justify i-dig as most of my work is ‘make it fit’ plus I have a full time dumper op so grabbing the lazer staff to check while I load is no hardship

 

[doobin]

This was my first attempt yesterday. Full disclaimer- grabs are more my thing.

 

[Brendan]

Been looking at getting one for a while but never got round to it.
If it's on a grading beam it will be near enough bang on. For use on a dipper would imagine you would need to pick a set position for dipper and bucket and set to that for every.
Main issue for me, is I only run the micro so for some of the trenches it would need to be on boom

 

[Furniss]

I'll have to disagree to a point with you there cos i manage. I do still check exact with the staff but it's not a complete replacement for another man or getting out yourself to check just that you can cut out 80% of the checking

Maybe I should give it another go but doesnt seem accurate enough when I use it.
At the moment for sewer pipe work I just speedline up the runs - match the laser axis to the line punch 2% grade or whatever it is in - drop 2cm below invert for a bed (depending on ground) and then have someone follow me along with staff getting it bang on, then when we bed the run up its a doddle to put an even bed down the trench.

 

[Keif]

 

[TiltyShaun]

Got to be honest, drain laying with the idig has become fun and easy. Don’t even need to get the laser out!!

 

[Furniss]

Got to be honest, drain laying with the idig has become fun and easy. Don’t even need to get the laser out!!

Shut up

 

[Keif]

Got to be honest, drain laying with the idig has become fun and easy. Don’t even need to get the laser out!!

What does the idig set up cost?

 

[Furniss]

There was an offer here on the forum for 5.5k fitted.............too late