We bought a $750 Topcon laser level and compare it to an $850 EZG "smart" level. This video is meant to help you guys figure out which one is right for you.
That made my head hurt. I had to do math equations in a spreadsheet today. It was painful. You teach and show us the neatest things. Thanks. Enjoy your weekend!😊🙏
@@Dirtmonkey there's a crypto scam leaving posts on this video. Crypto is like water, lol. It's the top post. Delete and block these scumbags. Dirt Monkey rules!
We use 2 Smart Levels like shown here. It's essential to store them upright with the hose angled down off the reading brick, otherwise air bubbles will enter the hose and throw off the measurements and make the measurements jumpy. Bleeding the bubbles is also a pain. Keep the hose angled down in the case, with the case up so the handle is on top. Nice video!
Thank you for another interesting video Stanley! We have been using Topcon RLH4C lasers for several years. Replacing the ls-80 receiver with a LS-100D receiver was a significant improvement for us. The LS-100 receiver shows the difference in actual digits (for us in millimeter), as well as displaying green, red and yellow led lights for level, above and below, respectively. Getting a grade rod that allows for extension downwards and not only upwards also helps. First you can attach the receiver to the final level on the rod and then extend the rod downwards for the excavation and move it upwards for the gradual build up of material.
I use a u level which is a smart level with Unilock branding. It’s great for estimates and setting base for pavers. It’s also great to use around corners, you don’t need line of sight. We also use it a lot on decks for setting footings and posts
I use a Bosch everyday its not perfect for sure ive had guys marks off over an inch. In my opinion its all about a good receiver. But we had a pm for a pool company came out witb a zip level. Great for grade but hard to mark levels on a stake for forming. Great video!
Stan, I have seen the Lazer level used in videos from RU-vidr like Dirt Boss and Dirt Perfect, and Letsdig18 on dirt work projects like ponds, foundation work, drainage. Also septic tank job y'all done an amazing demotion.God bless y'all from South Carolina viewer.
Thanks for showing off all the cool tools. Probably buy a Bosch for next spring, been borrowing one and it is simple and effective. But I look forward to a Bluetooth model..when they come out! Growing up with a contractor father, I dragged hundreds of feet of water lines for the water level he used. It has its limitations but definitely works for many applications, we stretched and used it for grading to fencing, foundation settling to keeping trusses in line. The oil filled one is definitely cool, especially since it does the math for you!
If you can get the laser up higher and get your lowest benchmark on the 2nd or 3rd section of the rod you can slide your sections down the number of inches you need for your upper courses and keep your benchmark for less math.
I went up to Utah to get a laser level implement for a tractor that does everything by itself and on the auction the laser wasn't included but a dude stopped us before we left and have us that yellow box for free haha, it was great that was like 2 years ago
We use a TopCon dual slope and I love it. Doing a job now where we need 1.8% in both directions and I can set the thing up one time and shoot the whole job. We do a lot of ADA stalls and the dual slope makes setting forms so much quicker and more accurate. Dual slope with a telescoping tripod is hard to beat for what we do.
I wish you were in Michigan Stan..I have to find an entity here to take care of a pretty steep ravine with a pond drying up at the bottom. Which is now all muck and cattails. The cement deck, under the wood deck is separating. It’s now about 2 1/2” separated…anyways, thanks for the vids Sir
It’s called an altimeter level. I’ve used both quite a bit. The altimeter works awesome in old houses in finding settling, whether in the foundation or in the framing.
Stan I think iwould prefer the self leveling laser compared to the corded one my guys would have it tangled or cut in no time at all. That deck above your work site is scary post rotten and not tied in properly to the ledger board
@@littlejackalo5326 doesn't matter they would still destroy it tube or cord is it gravy or sauce ask a Italian get a different answer depends on who you ask
Hwy hey Stan, what is going on my friend. I completed all my lawns after school today, it was crunch time for sure, so tired now. But the lawns look amazing, i took the lawns nice n low for fall and also this impending rain e will be getting, they say we will have minor flooding with lots of downpours and wind.i do have o say, this was a very successful lan care season. I made a good amount and didn’t over do myself with the amount of lawns i have. All i run now is the high lift blade, it does a great job really crunching up the leaves and grass really fine. What are your thoughts on gator blades. I herd their really good as well. Anyways stan, you have a great night, god bless and go get em, your pal and fried, Alexander costa. Happy three day weekend.
FYI - A 100 ft level (or any device) has a radius of 100 ft (assuming you use the device as your zero point). If you are creating a circle, it would define a 200 ft diameter.
You need a direct reading rod. A direct reading rod had a tape that allows you to set a zero elevation or set the actual elevation on the rod and reads opposite of a standard rod. You can get them in 1/10ths or inches
Old school water level clear tubing filled with water and two pieces of rod bent over to hang it. That is how most of the work was built in Manhattan New York city. Total cost maybe 20 bucks in material.
I've been using the Zip Level since 2012. One of my colleague's picked up a Smart Level in 2019. Was very disappointed sent it back got hit with a restock fee and shipping ended up losing over $200.00. Last year he purchased the Zip Level. Zip Level takes all the guess work out. Highly recommend this product.
Thats a nice looking skidsteer which is your favorite brand now? If you could only get one would you rather have a skidsteer or excavator? Awesome video man.
@@Dirtmonkey awesome thanks man. Thanks for your time to reply. I know your a busy man but its awesome getting a reply. I'm 29 in east tn been mowing for years and working full time trying take the chance on something new with equipment like that.
Not sure how long you have had the EZ level/U level. but we purchased 2 to replace a Zip level that is corded also but uses gas instead of mineral oil. Both EZ levels have been buggy and inconsistent, but still do great job for quotes. The Zip Level was much more reliable however it was much easier to puncture a hole in the cord and much more expensive to fix. Curious on your experience. seems the guys still bring a laser lever for a reason.
Hey Stan! Happy Friday! Hope you have a great weekend! I have recently been looking into trucks and have found ram trucks very interesting. Would you recommend me diving deeper into them or should i look for other brands? I would be pulling a lawn care rig. Which version of the 2500 do you have? Tradesman?
They're all the same. I've bought dozens of Fords and Rams, and only a few Chevy/GMCs. They all suck. Every last one of them. But Ram is the way to go. They're all trash, and they all make model years that have some systematic issue that leads to catastrophic failure. The model years that they don't have a systematic issue, they fail for some other reason. Buy the one that's the cheapest, that has the best features, and that has the options you want.
I like my Rams- they have been good trucks with small issues here and there but nothing to big. I would buy another one. Mine are 3/4 ton gassers. But I would also look at Ford. My 2 ford gassers are good vehicles.
What ya think about California banning small engines including lawnmowers weed eaters generators and golf carts. With electric mowers out now you think other states will follow
instead of a normal grading rod I use a "laser grading rod" (that has a two coloured section with plus and minus numbers from a centered 0 position printed on). Makes it easy enough to simply read out the difference for me (using metric here in Austria by the way so no fractions... not used to them to be honest) And I can use it in vertical laser position as well to check a distance from a wall before (for example) building store shelfing in the store. However this tool is a nice system to work inside of areas you can't use lasers and especially around corners when you have to get the whole storage rack leveled out for example... just too pricy for the use I have for me as I am doing this as part of my job in the store and not to earn money with 😏
Stan I am looking for a snow blower and I need some advice. I’m looking for a heavier residential snow blower I have three in mind and I was curious in your opinion on them since you’ve tested so many I was looking at the ego 2 stage snow blower,the husqvarna st224, and the toro power max 826.are these good ones or should I keep looking are there any brands that you like that are good for residential driveways
I haven't tried the husqvarna. The Ego is awesome, Ariens have worked good for me and the toro is also an excellent choice. all 3 will do what you want when you want.
And one more thing that nooooobody thinks about. If you are using your laser near A WINDOW it will reflect of the glass and completely read wrong. So cover the glass or move the laser! Little tip !
If you're working with other contractors and they're using equipment where you need to shoot grades everybody has to stop what they're doing so that the cable doesn't get crushed
If you can't move a tripod or do simple math you're not much of a contractor and I don't think it's ideal to be dragging a line through a job site especially if there's no grass and the conditions are wet and muddy not very practical.
