Realistically, how many acres a day can you topo (1-ft contours)using an ATV and GPS. The property is approximately 500 acres of hilly farmland, used for cattle and hay. The slopes are moderately steep and approximately 150 acres are wooded (no leaves).
don't waste your time --fly it or better still lidar it, probably could get it all done for 35-50 bucks an acre--expand the limits and get all drainage and utility info surrounding for next to nothing---tdd
I would say around 2 days for the open areas, with the GPS mounted on the ATV. That is probably being generous. Be sure to charge like it is normal conventional, unless you will be getting the design work and layout as well.
Gotta pay for the equipment somehow. I have used the above procedure numerous times. Just be sure to watch the data collector for loss of lock, and things like that.
Good luck!
I did a 80 acre farm field in December of 99 with a Polaris 6 wheel ATV. We had a Trimble 4800 mounted on the fron rack and I sat in the box with the TSC1. Another surveyor drove.
We collected ground shots at a 50' interval and we drove a grid N-S in about 3 hours and then did another grid E-W in another 2 hours. We also picked up a couple small swales by driving the C/L and picked up points at a 10' interval.
The TIN turned out great as did the contours which were 1'. This project had about 5 arces of woods on the north end but the owner wanted to preserve them so we just outlined the woods.
The following year we did a 90 acre field using a Yamaha Grizzly and the 4800 in about 4 hours.
Both fields were smooth for the most part and had been harvested of crops.
Now I would mount the receiver to a Seco door rack on my F-150 and do it the same way. It's alot warmer plus I would download the points right into a laptop while onsite and see if there are any holes that needed filling.
I would try to get the wooded areas with GPS where ever possible. The open areas should take 2 days. I would also check on flying it.
ditto on the flight; use your field time to establish ample control
and like ted says: let flight pick up all peripheral areas of interest, it's always some little seemingly unimportant shot out on the fringe that seals the deal on some analysis/comp you gotta run
I already got prices flying it, but based on walking the property, and what I'm hearing here, I think I can do it efficiently with an ATV and GPS. Plus, I'd like to make a little more money than the aerial company. This project has already been short listed, so schedule and price are the two main issues.
I thank everybody for their input, I appreciate it.
Mike
I'm leery about using GPS in the 'woods'...now that being said, I don't know how dense the woods are.
But you are certifying it to 1' contours...which means you need some good vertical information.
150 acre of woods means you might not be able to get all of it GPS, what happens if you need to do some conventionally? What does that do to your time and budget?
don't believe that time and budget crap
in the long run there is never a timeframe--never ever, as far as cost its all relative--learn to sell your services and product--
REMEMBER---YOU ALWAYS HAVE TIME AND BUDGET TO DO IT RIGHT THE SECOND TIME----TDD
YOU CAN'T SNOW THE SNOWMAN---
don't believe that time and budget crap
> YOU CAN'T SNOW THE SNOWMAN---
What about the Penguin?
You went to Catholic School, didn't you Tedd?
Dugger
don't believe that time and budget crap
ST BARNABAS--AS A YOUNGSTER
Shoot me an email, we have a photogrammetrist in our Nashville office. There is almost no way it is possible to ground topo 150 acres cheaper than you can fly it.
don't believe that time and budget crap
I KNEW IT!--PROLLY STILL GOT THE SCARS ON YOUR KNUCKLES FROM THE RULER;-)
When I had my own business, I would consider aerial mapping companies my competition and did not believe good contours could come from such a method. I can recall steering some clients away from aerial mapping and to be honest It may actually have been more to benefit me not them. Then I joined a highly regarded mapping company as the field surveyor. It didn't take long for me to see how wrong I was. On your project of 500 acres of hilly going with 150 acres in trees, I am claiming there is no way you can do it on the ground and represent you are doing the best for your client in any way. Quite simply, the quality of the maps, the price for the final project and the schedule are all better if it's flown. Especially if you get someone with LiDAR. If your potential client has any moxie at all, this job will likely go to a company who teams with a good mapping company. Worst case is for you to get the job on low bid and not be able to deliver. Right now sun angle is a problem with photogrammetry but not LiDAR. You should call around. Nothing a client likes much better than knowing you are taking care of them with state of the art procedures even when you aren't making as much. Could lead to much more as their project goes from preliminary to design and construction. Anyway, good luck.
Agreed.
what i said !!!!
when i started surveying Moses was on his way up the mountain !!
OBTW--THE ELEVENTH COMANDMENT WAS ON THE BACK--
THOU SHALT NOT DOUBT THE WORD OF DURAVISION...
PERFECT !! TDD
Agree totaly, used to use a lot of photogrametry for larger jobs...then along came Lidar and I had to do a lot of ground survey to check the info, totaly blew me away how it could come up with such good info. Like the other guys have said, check it out, there are certain areas the firms want to prove themselves, and will give a good price for the product delivered! Specially this time of year, and if there are any thickly vegitated drainages....the four wheeler won't help you in a 150 acre woods, or a creek bottom!!
