Brad Ott, post: 334816, member: 197 wrote: That looks like someone who is not paying for the instrument themselves.
"That looks like someone who is not paying for the instrument themselves."
??
That's exactly how I was taught to carry anything more modern than a transit - as vertical as possible.
Saw it attempted once. I was the rodman on a job when the crew chief first was going to carry the TS and legs the regular way then decided, "Heck it isn't that far. I'll just toss it up on my shoulder." Problem was he had already unscrewed the TS from the legs. He lifted and the TS flew over his shoulder onto the pavement. Not a pretty sight. I still have nightmares to this day. The look on his face was not one to be forgotten. He wasn't fired but the T1000 had several thousand worth of damage to it.
Yeah. I carry my instrument like that the majority of the time. On the shoulder. Only time I case it is if we are heading into really rough terrain in the mountains. That makes sense and is actually easier and safer to transport. But when on a job site and jumping around all day, it's on the shoulder.
Not anyone working for me. I do carry a level like that though. The data collector goes in the case if it isn't attached to the robot rod.
Firing offense for me. FNGs are warned when they start. I'd rather it be returned to the box between setups, but if it's a short trip then I would ask that the total station be removed from the tripod and carried with its upper handle so as not to affect the calibration of the mechanicals and gizmos contained therein.
Level? No problem.
Actually good info here. I worked for three different PLSs and that's what was trained before we started our own firm. It's actually intriguing that there is such a divide in thought here. Honestly trained from day one to make sure everything is secure, spread the tripod and shoulder it as vertical as possible. Been doing it that way for 16 years now. I have my instrument calibrated and services every winter. I've never, to the best of my knowledge, had an issue with a total station or a robot by using this method. Although I'm getting older and the robots are heavier. I find myself casing more no than ever due to discomfort. Had a bad accident a few years ago and now have plates holding my collar bone and shoulder blade together. No intent on starting an argument but really find it fascinating that this is so polarized. Maybe it's a regional thing? Most of the folks I see in our area are doing the same thing. To poke at the picture, I've never left the DC on the legs. Never worn a hard hat without a vest to accompany it.
Alan Cook, post: 334719, member: 43 wrote: Do you chance moving your instrument this way?
I'll do that with my robot for short distances, though I try to keep the gun closer to level. Otherside I'll rebox and either drive it or move it in my folding cart.
I'll do that for short distances on small lots. But that is my limit. And I make sure not to unscrew the TS.
I do that all the time. I do mostly small lots however. No if I was in the woods, I'm boxing it up.
Personally, I don't like this. It looks...sloppy.
The instrument (especially a robot) is just too valuable to me to put at risk carrying it this way, and the tripod is certainly not designed to make this an easy way to carry it, making it clumsy and uncomfortable. I carried an empty tripod this way the other day and dropped it, with legs flying in all directions, much to the amusement of a few onlookers!
And if he is headed toward the next setup with this, it means he'll be stomping those legs into the ground with the instrument still mounted. I just see no good side to this.
I will only carry the robot detached by its handle, and won't carry anything else at the same time. That means two trips for the tripod, then the instrument, but this is for small lot surveys.
For longer distances, it goes in the box (or sometimes a backpack) which stays in the truck or in the folding cart (like Jim Frame's - he posted a photo a couple years ago and I promptly bought one - it's been great, thanks Jim!)
The data collector should be visible, i.e. front leg over the shoulder. In that back position it can unknowingly come looses and crash.
I only carry that way if a short distance on pavement or yard. Most of he time thought the box needs to be advanced to, so why not just put the head in it.
Paul in PA
I was taught not to do this, but I do that sometimes without the data collector hanging from the legs. Also, I keep the instrument vertical by holding onto the legs. Shorten the legs so the do not couch the ground or the back of your leg by accident while walking and it will also make it easier to carry the instrument vertically. I also keep the nuts tight on the tripod head so I do not have to worry about the legs flopping down.
I do not like the way it looks in the picture. There is too much stress on the screw. If I'm going far or crossing difficult terrain it goes in the case.
For short distances, I do this. But, it is a lot more vertical. I am lucky in that I can usually have the truck near me. If I have to walk into a site, I usually have to lug a few other tings with me, so the instrument case will be with me anyway. The one thing that really bothers me about the picture that no one else mentioned is that the instrument case is open on the tailgate. I was always taught to close the case after securing the instrument on the legs. I started surveying in South Florida, so I would assume this was to keep sand and such out of the case. It is something that has stuck with me ever since, robot case, level case, gps case, everything gets closed as soon as possible.
Guilty as charged. I do pay for my own instrument, and I have not had any problems dong this for the past 30 years.
Dtp
