We have one instrument newer than 14 years old (excluding the robot). They are all carried on the tripod like a transit. We regularly send them in for adjustment and have had no problems with worn out tribrachs.
I'm changing the policy in my office. Over the shoulder, somewhat vertical, was SOP when I got here. Now it goes in the case to move. At the very least, take the gun off the tribrach and carry it by the handle.
When I started out, I was taught to pack it up for every move. Also, when you take the gun out of the case, CLOSE and LATCH the case. When closing the case, be mindful of not trapping a bunch a weeds and debris in it as well. A gun goes in a case to keep it clean and protected, not to get dirty.
Check the manuals on your levels also. The modern ones, especially digital ones, are supposed to be packed up to move. I don't enforce this though.
There are really good arguments for treating it like a newborn baby. However, it isn't one. It is a tool. Tools can be repaired and replaced should the occasion arise.
I have done it every way but upside down over the years. One of the better ways to do this if not removing it from the tripod is to carry it in front of you with the instrument actually being on one arm and the tripod being supported by the other arm. Very little strain put on the connection that way. Next best is in a nearly vertical position. That is awkward and could contribute to tripping, so be very careful. Some say to carry the instrument in one hand and the tripod in the other. The problem with that is you may inadvertantly hit something with the instrument. An example I recall from some survey mag years ago was that the fellow carrying the instrument by its handle accidentally swung it into the corner of a retaining wall. It hit just hard enough to jar it out of his hand, where the remainder of the damage occurred.
99.5% of the time IT's IN THE BOX! the other 0.5% of the time, I'm wishing I had put it in the box.
:good:
I agree. Set up the tripod first with the optical plummet tribrach then clip on the instrument.
That's about it:
The damages were in the thousands and a new policy was born.
We used to carry the 4 leveling screw transits on the legs. Big 3-1/2" threads on the tripod. It was a hard habit to break.
The modern guns are too heavy to carry like that.
I wish somebody made a SUPER light gun, that was accurate, and had a reflectorless range out to 1/2 mile to a tree, and could be carried on the shoulder. But, naw, nobody does yet.
Rule: Box the Gun.
Eye Lefttit in the box!!
Sorry to paint with such a wide brush but I find it amusing that you all are so hard core on boxing it to move it, but then roll around with it boxed in the bed of a pick up.
The problem with always having the box along is that it ruins the old joke about the lady surveyor and the missing item that she had left in the box. No need for the strange hand signals.
We carried the theodolite on the legs across the shoulder all the time back in the day. I've never done that with a total stations, though. They're too heavy to think it's ok. The station does have a carry handle built right in so I've moved many times on a traverse with no box. Pop it off the top and go. Mostly my new gun I carry in the box.
We had what you'd call the "transit man roll" for emergencies. Keep the gun off the ground at all times. Dive under it if you see it going down. LOL
