LF Tips on setting up a precision prism carrier/ traverse kit with level vial on tripod efficiently

@gary_g?ÿ

ditto, but this setup was freezing and thawing due to 40 degree temp swings, so I went with the sure thing of 2x2 hubs driven to grade.?ÿ they're firmly cemented in place for the remainder of the project now

@jitterboogie sounds like it should work good. Ever notice how much the instrument level changes with the temp change?

@on_point?ÿ

every single setup. Wind, moisture, heat, cold, stupid kids grabbing the legs, etc....

with the Leica gear esp when they're displaying gon, the changes are often funny and fascinating

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I had an IM with a super power. He would spread the legs around the point. Horizon level the head over the point, stamp in the feet. Screw on the instrument, level it and do a slight adjustment to it.

He never had to swing any legs, never had to get over the point. He only had to place the tripod up and the head was centered and plumb over the point.?ÿ I never saw anyone else that could do it, I sure can't.?ÿ

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He should be in the circus with an act like that

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Thank you everyone for sharing your experience and wisdom! your comments have been tremendously helpful.

For a bit of background info I've been learning the trade for coming up on six years working for my uncle who is an LS with over 40 years of experience. I had no education prior to that. Truthfully I didn't even know what he did for work. He was in his early sixties at the time and winding down. At that point he was down to a one-man show after decades of large projects with several crews. He called me up one day to see if I wanted to help him in the office a couple days a week. My only useful skill at that point was I was decent with computers (I had a freelance job revolving around fixing them and helping people learn to use them). That first week I think I worked just the two days, but that was the only time. Every week since I've been working full-time learning all the aspects of the business both field and office. I guess he decided he enjoys working too much to retire, because he's ramped back up again hiring people and taking on massive projects. I typically did title surveys with his and office drafting. He taught me how to set up the tripod and plumb the instrument over it forever ago. Whatever random order I did things in was deemed acceptable aside from the occasional comment on a particular slow setup here and there. For what he and I did the precise carriers were very rarely used, they were typically for the crews doing construction work. Prior to my making this post I think I only had to play a role in setting them up on one project and I did it acceptably, but without any sort of system, just a billion random adjustments.

I was told the Friday before making this post I would be subbing in as the i-man for our top crew chief. This guy is THE guy. He'll never have to worry about employment because there there are so many companies that would love to have him, but he likes working for our company?ÿ and we pay him very well for his skills. Anyway, I was to be working with him one-on-one for the first time and needless to say I was very anxious to not come across as incompetent. So I took an extra set of legs, a tribrach, and a carrier home for the weekend and reached out to all of you fine folk. After reading I got to practicing. It was odd at first unlearning whatever methods I'd acquired, but you guys have this down to a science.?ÿ?ÿ

I want to mention some of the bits that stood out as particularly useful for me personally.

2. Become a bombardier, with the head of the tripod against your chest guess is over the point, just roughly approximate.

This is an absolutely phenomenal tip and something I'm embarrassed I've never thought of. I always positioned the tripod over the point at arms length and it usually worked okay, but there's too much variation in that. This way you can get way more consistent results by having it at your chest and looking down through it.?ÿ

There is a counterintuitive technique that I use. After setting the tripod down over the point and stepping on the legs, use the leveling screws to point the optical plumb sight on the carrier at the point. The carrier wonƒ??t be level. Next adjust the leg lengths to level the carrier. Surprisingly it wonƒ??t move optical sight off the point much at all. Finally loosen the carrier and slide it to the point and then fine adjust the level. You always chase leveling and centering around each other, but I find that this reduces that chase.?ÿ

I was aware of using the tribrach screws to help position the crosshairs of the OP over the point, but was told that's more of something down when you're struggling with problematic, unlevel terrain. I also used it to occasionally salvage a "cliffhanger" scenario when I botched the earlier steps and couldn't get the instrument over the point without sliding it way to the side. This method, especially for a precise carrier and especially for a precise carrier with an inverted OP is a game-changer for me. I also want mention that having one particular tribrach screw in directly facing your chest as a reference point when making all adjustments helps tremendously because now adjusting that one or the other two together makes the crosshair move "up/down" or "left/right" along the "y" and "x" axes in way that's prevents disorientation.?ÿ

Once I am set up in the snow I cover the feet with snow, it keeps the sun from heating them up and melting out of level.?ÿ

This is a wonderful idea. Something I don't deal with often, but I have used this in the past and it's worth reminding people. Similar principal works on asphalt. Dirt, water, reflective paint, or anything handy to keep the areas under the feet cool help with it sinking on hot days, especially if the asphalt is new.?ÿ

Follow Dave Karoly method, but at item 2 if you want assurance, drop a small stone to check head is near enough plumb. If it isn't move ALL THREE legs by same amount for distance head needs to move (that way if the head was near enough level at the start it will stay level. The follow rest of Dave's procedure.

Oh! don't forget to measure target height while you are feeling pleased with yourself for setting up in record time.

Moving all three legs instead of just one is something I've often forgot about chasing the bubble. This is a great tip to keep in mind.?ÿ

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Also the tip about setting hubs under the feet if it's going to be there for awhile and the ground is thawing is a damn good idea. It also aids in placing the feet if you're coming back to that points.?ÿ

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Again, than you all so much. I've read all the comments and will continue to do so and spend more time perusing the forums. I feel much more confident about my setups now and that's a bit less anxiety for me and I greatly appreciate that.?ÿ

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Over the years, I've noticed about three slightly different methods and each is useful in particular situations.

1.?ÿ I'll refer to as the Karoly as Dave has already explained it in detail.

2.?ÿ Essentially the same as 1, but set one leg first and then use the other two and the optical/laser plummet to get over the point.?ÿ Set the remaining two legs and adjust only those two legs to get the bulls eye very closely centered.?ÿ Fine tune with the screws.?ÿ Shift tribrach as needed (should be slight) and then use the screws to level again.?ÿ Check/shift/relevel as needed, but shouldn't be more than twice with practice and if everything is in adjustment.

3.?ÿ Same as 1 above, but instead of relying on eyeballing being nearly over the point, use a plumb bob to make sure before setting the legs.

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1 is my preference and works most times.?ÿ 2 can be useful if your just having one of those days where you keep missing the alignment over the point by eye.?ÿ 3 can be very helpful on significant slopes or with the fixed leg tripod Larry Best mentioned.

I had an IM with a super power. He would spread the legs around the point. Horizon level the head over the point, stamp in the feet. Screw on the instrument, level it and do a slight adjustment to it.

He never had to swing any legs, never had to get over the point. He only had to place the tripod up and the head was centered and plumb over the point.?ÿ I never saw anyone else that could do it, I sure can't.?ÿ