What would be a good first robot that won??t break the bank?
Is 6-8k a reasonable budget?
A little background I have an excavation company and I??m wanting something that will allow me to re-stake a basement if a few of the stakes get hit and to also stake out the interior walls. I would also like to have the ability to create a as-built of what work was done so I have proof of what I did. Currently I can only keep track of elevations with the laser.
If I??m building a barn pad for a residential job or a farmer, I would love to be able to easily lay out the pad for them and to mark the building corners without having to rely on tape measures anymore.
I??ve used a newer Trimble robot in the past and loved it, but I also know what they cost and It??s just simply not in the budget right now.
I will be grateful of any information you guys can provide me and I??m sure once I buy one I??m going to have questions but I??m looking forward to learning
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Thanks
There is nothing you can buy new for that price. I think that you are going to have to go to the $10-$12k region to get something used that isn't completely worn out. Remember that you are going to need the instrument and a matched data collector to have a working system. Plus tripod, rod, & glass.?ÿ
I've been using a Topcon PS for some years. I've recently posted (again) about my frustrations with it. But it is quite reliable and rugged. For your use the things that frustrate me (it is slow) might not be as big of a deal.
Nevertheless, in the end, I think you will find that the surveyor fees you have been paying are good value.?ÿ?ÿ
Look for a Topcon LN100.
Then contact me for training.?ÿ
I have no problem buying used especially for the first one but at the same time don??t want to invest in something that isn??t going to last at-least a few years without needing work because I have a feeling getting an older unit serviced may be an issue. ?ÿ
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I??ll look around and see if I can find a LN100 would that be a similar machine to the Trimble RPT600?
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With all of my Jobs the builder pays to have the surveying done so they find the cheapest company they can to come out and stake the house and most of the time it works out ok but there??s been several occasions where they don??t do a very good job staking because we have to spend a couple of hours laying out the house before we can start digging that??s part of why I??m wanting to get a robot so I can easily reset the stakes rather than going through the hassle of figuring out which company staked it and deal with getting them back out there. ?ÿI??ve also ran into situations where we dig a footer based off the stakes and they pour them then come back to pin the footers so they can lay block and the footers are wrong and need to be fixed. If I can show proof, we dug them to the stakes It??ll make it easier for me to get paid for the extra work.
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I know there??s going to be a learning curve, I may take you up on the training. I feel like it??ll be worth it in the end its just a matter of figuring out what system will be best for me.
Look for a Topcon LN100.
2nd this. ?ÿI have a LN-100 and do what you describe, all day, every day using it and Magnet Field Layout software. I haven??t checked prices lately, I think they have a newer model out now, LN-150 I believe.
After doing some more research I agree it seems like the LN-100 would do everything I need. Is there any supporting software I need to buy to either load plans onto the data collector or to turn the as-builts into useful data I can show customers?
Magnet Field software on the data collector will import and export dwg and dxf files directly but doesn??t have extensive file/drawing capabilities. ?ÿIf you need to manipulate drawing files, or turn your recorded as-built points into a meaningful redline drawing you will need some other piece of software, I use Carlson Civil/Survey. ?ÿLearning CAD of any variety has a learning curve all of it??s own in addition to the learning curve of how to use the equipment properly and effectively. ?ÿ
Magnet Field Layout (Layout is a construction oriented version of Magnet Field) has a useful routine to enter a building plan directly on the data collector without needing a cad file, but it is really only useful for smaller or less complicated structures.
With what you are looking for my recommendation would be is to look for local surveyors in your area and see if they have any extra gear that is in there equipment storage closet and see if you can buy it from them directly, With buying from them you can have them demonstrate the equipment and make sure it is what you want and need. As far as the footers being off from the stakes that they set for you I would request as part of your initial stake is that they set offsets online on your 2 longest lines (batter boards) so that you can stake to a line so that you have a check to there initial staking to verify that everything is within tolerances for the project that you are working on. As a rule that I always use make sure that you have at the very minimum an angle check from your setup of something that is perpendicular from your baseline (one of your other corners) once you learn where these checks are and how to check them in your data collector than you will be fine. Checks and more checks are always important but remember you still have to understand the fundamentals of right angles even when using a total station
Getting involved in doing your own layout with no prior training is risky business.?ÿ You are better off leaving that to the professionals who are licensed and insured.?ÿ You also mentioned documenting your as-built conditions and if it came down to legal actions, I doubt your own as-built locations would amount to much in terms of evidence.?ÿ Video would be an option to accomplish that.
Equipment is not something you maintain every few years.?ÿ Instruments need to be cleaned and adjusted at least yearly.?ÿ You would also need a CAD package and coordinate geometry software to calculate the proposed structure locations and determine where the offset stakes belong.
It's not as simple as just buying a robot, learning how to use it and then hitting the ground running.?ÿ Like they say in the legal circles, he who represents himself has a fool for a client.
