measuring wheel

Yes, I have one in the truck all the time, and use it frequently for rough distance measurements. I have the Keson model that runs about $75 at Hayes Instruments. For me it works good, but it probably would not last very long with a crew.

I would not be without one as a solo surveyor. Just another tool in the toolbox.

Carry one as and when required, mainly use it more measuring up areas and marking out rough chainage when doing photographic dilapidation surveys.

I'd say, get one with a brake, if you find and obstacle, squeeze the break and side step and keep on rolling

I have one from when I did a lot of roadwork. You also want to get an upside down paint can holder handle, saves a lot of bending over.

They are in the garage, as they are seldom used for my current projects.

Paul in PA

Rendezvous 2013 - Philadelphia

I had one once, thought it may be useful. Tried it a couple times, but like above though - I can pace just as accurate, if not more so. I can adjust my pace for slope, a wheel you can't

I gave it to a CAD guy who I got a lot of accident surveys from via his lawyers. He did the prep work, I did the real stuff. Worked out good in the long run.

I don't think one belongs in a surveyors tool box. Use your hand held, set a way point where you are, and stake out to it.

Like others have already said rough measurements is fine and just like pacing.
When I first started surveying I notice the pacing. Having been through two groin muscle pull my paces are significantly shorter. 42-44 steps per 100 feet is about me depending on uphill or downhill. I figure most of you guys which are bigger than me would about 30 to 33 for a 100 foot stretch.

One time on a job we were supposed to measure 1000' in all directions from an intersection. A wheel would have been great that day.

Do you have line of sight down the road?

I'm assuming from your name you have a robotic instrument, set it up, pace out a rough distance and then refine using the robot.

It will be a: quicker b: cheaper and c: more accurate than a wheel.

Just my $0.02

The wheel is for quickly measuring curvilinear distances such as lineal feet of striping for pay quantities, or gutter, etc.

My son found one at a garage sale for elcheapo.

We laid down a distance on pavement and across the yard and checked it with the TS.

It is really good on pavement and not too bad across the yard.

Really good for long distances when counting is too much to keep up with while watching traffic, critters and other distractions.

First used one back in the late 1970s to measure curb and gutter at the Texarkana Mall that a hand from Bald Knob, Arkansas brought to work.

Sure beat the cloth tape and all that bending over to strike a keel mark.

Measuring along curved or irregular object is a snap.

Many times I have had someone hold it out the door of a truck while driving (with no traffic!) and measured several hundred feet to find corners or things such as site distances. They are inexpensive and quite handy when used properly.;-)

I also swear by the upside down paint can holder but can we give it a name?

> I also swear by the upside down paint can holder but can we give it a name?

Sure, give it a name. "Paint Mate from down under Mate".

Steve,

I have done that several times with mine.

It is a great tools for rough recon when looking for corners in the road, when working alone.

It is definitely not for accurate measurements.

Sometimes it is a great tool, when used properly.

Jimmy

For some tasks they are the best tool. I just had 230 of landscape curbing done. There isn't 20 feet of tangent in the whole thing. Measured three times with the wheel and wrote the check.
Carry the tools you need to do the tasks you do. Don't be afraid to think outside the box...

http://www.engineersupply.com/Rolatape-Professional-400-Series-Measuring-Wheel.aspx?gdftrk=gdfV22645_a_7c983_a_7c3827_a_7cES1025_d_32_d_400D

I use one all the time when scoping out a larger property, especially when there is no occupation to help. It's not always that accurate, but with my bad hip, sometimes my pace can be off quite a bit.

If we find ourselves not finding what we should, there is always the 300' tape in the truck too!

That is the one that we have and use all the time. Great for recon with 1 person so you don't have to drag a cloth tape.

I will caution you on teh rolotape version that has teh solid hub wheel. It is advertised to easily go through brush and such. We found it horrible. It was too heavy, and the wheel did not roll well. All the finish came off the wheel, and it basically fell apart within 2 years. The rollatape listed in the link is the one we replace it with and has been great.

Yes I have robotic Total station. but this site is not all straight roads. and the set out does not need to too accurate. Just 50 feet from this wall, or 80 feet from that tree, or pole or every somany feet from this junction. Its just that I never thought of a wheel before. I borrowed one from a contractor, and plan to try it out tomorrow. If it works out I intend to add one to my toolbox.

Sometimes I use a 300' tape for rough recon, but I can never get the rear chainman to come ahead, lol. (I have a string loop on the hook of the tape which loops around the handle of a sawed-off 8 lb. sledge that I've rested a cone on.)
Wheels are mighty handy.