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Last Post by a-harris 6 years ago

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RPLS#

(@rpls-2-2)

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When I flop the scope on my trimble s5 I can hear some?ÿ noise that is possibly bearings grinding or maybe just not be lubricated well.

I've never really noticed the noise or thought anything of it, but I hired a new party chief that I've known for a long time and he is telling me that the noise is not normal. He claims that the area between the scope and main body of the gun needs to be cleaned regularly, he slides the edge of a paper towel in that tiny gap beside the scope to clean the spindle that the scope rotates on.. I took the instrument to the trimble dealer for a "clean and calibrate". I was invoiced about $450 for an "instrument service" plus $280 for a "grease bearings" the tiny gap between the scope and spindle still have some visible dirt in there, but the exterior of the gun looks real clean. I'm not sure what bearings they greased but the noise is still the same. I just don't know if I should be concerned or not. The instrument is 3 years old, and it's the first time I've taken it in for service. I'm going to drive back to their shop to ask them about it tomorrow, but I thought I would check with you guys to get some insight. Thanks

?ÿ

Posted : September 28, 2020 7:55 pm

bill93

(@bill93)

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Does it turn repeatable horizontal and vertical angles?

I'm not sure what bearings they greased

The relative bearings??ÿ (old joke from my pals who served in the Navy- send the new guy to get some "relative bearing grease")

Posted : September 28, 2020 8:20 pm

RPLS#

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@bill93 yeah, we havn't had any precision issues out of it. It's always been pretty great.

Posted : September 29, 2020 6:38 am

rover83

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Unless the S5 is radically different from the rest of the S-series lineup, the bearings are inside the housing, and sealed or well enough protected that a small amount of grit on the exterior should not make a difference. A little noise after extended use is not unusual, especially after three years without any service. That being said, the shop should be able to explain why that is the case.

As long as it functions and is within adjustment specs, I'm not sure I would worry about it. I had a manual (non-robotic) S6 with a similar issue, and an older Leica TC1100 series whose scope took noticeably more effort to plunge. Both had been used extensively in adverse weather on remote projects.

Posted : September 29, 2020 7:06 am

a-harris

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Particles of built up debris from simply outside can cause noise around the areas that keep the elements from entering the interior parts of any instrument and is usually the location any small noise that you hear when the scope and top plate of and instrument are turned.

If you are not satisfied with your service, contact them and get them to answer why the same problem exists after their cleaning and service.

?ÿ

Posted : September 29, 2020 9:24 am