Hello all, I have ran into some problems with our Trimble 5603 Total Station. We purchased it around 2001 and it has seen very light use since then. We have sent it in every 2 years for calibration/cleaning/battery replacement. Always very careful during transport.
Initially our problem began last year. The horizontal movement stopped working completely. They took it apart and found the plastic "cogs" had come loose. They re-installed the "cogs" and the gun ran fine other than sounding a little coarser than normal in the horizontal movement.
A year later the gun is now squealing (sounds like metal to metal or binding) from time to time when you rock the horizontal movement. I sent it in for repairs and they found that the "cog" had started to fall off again? They replaced the "cogs" and the horizontal movement is now smooth, but the squeal is still there if you move the horizontal movement very quickly.
They say the problem lies in the lower unit, which is not serviceable. Apparently there are metal band clutches that become dry causing the squeal.
The entire lower unit is $1000 in parts.
Apparently many choose to ignore the sound and continue to use the gun.
Has this happened to you?
I'm confused.....if they put the lower unit together, why can't it be taken apart? If the clutch bands are dry, why can't you use a syringe and apply some grease?
$500 to get it put back together and calibrated with the new "cogs". $1730 if the entire lower unit is replaced.
JRL
Wow! I've been running 5603's for about the same amount of time and have yet to hear of this problem so I don't have any advice. I don't know where you are located, but I have had excellent service from the Duncan-Parnell office outside of Atlanta, Ga. If anything, a second opinion might be helpful. Give Richard a call there. He's a good guy, knows his stuff, and won't screw you.
770-931-0844
Good luck.
Get it fix while they still service it
I'll trade you a T1 for that POS, as is, straight up. The T1 is real quality and will never break down. Interested?
Once it's in my hands I'll have the lower unit replaced. No doubt problems with the lower unit are causing the cog wheel problems. Fix the lower unit once, or fix the cog wheel every few months.
For the record, I've been using and around 5603's and their twin brother, the Geodimeter 600, since 1997 and I've never seen the problem you describe.
I've been using Geodimeter/Trimble since 1996 and have never experienced this issue either. I was suprized to hear that the entire lower unit was not something that could be serviced.
Ended up biting the bullet and had the lower unit and the cogs replaced.
I was advised by another service company that these 5603 units can be had for $2500 to $3000 these days with the economy as it is.
E-Bay has 3 5600 robots, 3 R8 GPS Rovers and all the fixins for $40,000
They may part with one of the guns seperately if you wanted to try and trade them....JRL
I think you can get about $8000 if you are not in a panic. Trimble salesman are probably giving $3000 trade in value on a new S6. Times are tough for Trimble salesmen.
