Straddling the tripod legs

I was taught not to, but that sometimes it is necessary to get the shot.

I know of, at least, one surveyor that would throw a hissy fit and remember it for nearly 25 years.

> .... is this now OK to do?

Yea..but only if the straddler knows what the heck he is doing. So far, the only straddler permitted on my crew is me and I do not see that changing while I am upon this earth.

I can remember times past when I had to do that, because I could keep my big feet farther away from the tripod feet (than vice-versa).

That was one of the main rules when I was first given the privilege of running the instrument. To this day, I only do it if I have to. However, I haven't had to worry about this for a LONG time. 😐

I will neither confirm nor deny that I have ever done this.

If you set up correctly according to the work that has to be done for that setup, leg straddling would never be an issue.

sometimes, conditions and location preclude that.

never say never

I try not to do it, sometimes, it just turns out to be "the easy way" to get the reading.

There was a time you'd get a good hollerin' if you did that, just like if you got caught using your plumb bob to hammer in a tack.

I'll bet dollars to donuts that the model on page 15 never touched a survey instrument before the day of the photo shoot and will never touch one again.

I was told to try not to but there have been times when I just couldn't help it.
Someone at that other site once quoted a former mentor of his after being caught straddling: "boy, you ain't ridin no horse there!".

I was told not to, but i do it all the time, who cares.

As long as you don't bump the setup.

Straddling should be avoided, but sometimes you need to. I think it is OK as long as you know why it should be avoided. Sometimes you need to stand on the instrument case. I have turned angles with the help of a very tall helper, I am short. Steep ground is where that was done, can even get good angles that way. Sometimes you watch the T-2 roll down the hill in it's metal dome case, that should also be avoided but the only time I saw it happen the case was dented but the insturment was fine.
jud

the data collector is on his blind side. not a speck of paint missing from the tripod feet. what else is wrong with this pic?

I did not see the article but when I was in the field and being taught we always had to consider the chain. Nowadays with the edm, there really is no concern other than the instrumentman steppin' near the leg. Still no problem with me because I run the gun....it's the problem with the folks that get near the gun and have no idea their foot maybe too close for comfort to the legs.

He is not set up on anything.

data collector is not plugged in to the gun

> the data collector is on his blind side. not a speck of paint missing from the tripod feet. what else is wrong with this pic?

He has a pretty big mitt-full of that knob in his right hand. Thats a fingertips-only operation. And what is the left hand doing? It should be behind his back, I'd say.

The hard hat should be turned backward. The brim is striking the instrument.

His shirt appears to be of the office puke variety. Too lightweight for field work.

Web link to picture

Those who don't have the paper copy at hand can go to this link and advance to page 15.