Spectra Precision Laser GL412 and GL422

When I got to the construction site I was leveling and excavating, my partner called in sick. I knew I should have just call it a day but something in the back of my mind knew I just couldn’t waste the time. So I took my precision laser and set off to do the job that requires two people. I leveled my laser, checked the grade and began to work, or rather tried to work.

I wasted so much time running from what I was doing to the laser, to check the grade and level, that I wasn’t getting much done on the site. After two hours of struggling, grunting and running I decided to call it quits. As I drove home I thought to myself, wouldn’t it be brilliant if they made a precision laser that had a receiver and a remote? That way when you are working you can check or change the grade from where you are. I thought I was a genius for thinking up that idea.
When I got home I sat on my deck for a little longer daydreaming about the functions I would put in this laser. I called my friend and explained to him my brilliant idea in details. And he started laughing. He laughed so hard I heard the phone drop on his end. When he finally pulled himself together he told me that Spectra makes the exact machine I just described and “thought up”. I went online to TigerSupplies.com to double check that he wasn’t pulling my leg.

Boy was I embarrassed. Tigersupplies.com carried it. Here I was bragging about my brilliance and this idea has been around for years and has been perfected into the Spectra Precision Laser GL412 or the GL422.

The Spectra Precision Laser GL412 (single grade) and GL422 (dual grade) transmitters are cost effective, automatic self-leveling lasers that do three jobs—level, grade and vertical alignment with plumb. Both the GL412 and GL422 feature a 2-way, remote control with a built-in back-lit grade display. You can do everything with the remote control that you can do at the laser keypad, including grade reverse on both axes, up to 330 ft away from the laser. The ability to make grade changes from anywhere on the job greatly reduces setup time and speeds operation, especially when multiple job grade breaks are needed.

Additionally, the Spectra GL412 and GL422 Grade Lasers self-plumb in the vertical position, to allow an even wider range of applications such as anchor bolt installation, plus form, tilt up and curtain wall plumbing. Both units also incorporate automatic temperature and grade compensation for high accuracy in any weather or geographical location.

On both models, the laser beam can be turned off electronically on up to 3 sides of your choice. This capability eliminates interference with other crews on the job site by keeping the beam from straying into other work areas.

The Spectra GL422 offers two additional advanced features: pointing mode for “Over the Top” pipe laying applications and grade match where the laser can be used to measure the existing grade value between two known elevation points. Use this versatile laser with a Spectra Precision Laser HL700 Laserometer at an operating diameter up to 800 m (2,600 ft), or use it with the CR600 machine-mounted laser receiver for fast and easy machine control display.

Spectra Precision Laser HL700 Laserometer
The Spectra Precision Laser HL700 Laserometer uses new technology to measure and display beam location and is ideal for use with the GL family of transmitters. The HL700 features a digital readout of elevation that shows exactly how far you are from on-grade allowing quick elevation checks without moving the rod clamp. The large 127 mm (5 inch) reception height speeds up beam pickup in grade match and alignment applications. An anti-strobe sensor stops construction lights from setting off the receiver, and makes it easier to identify true laser beam signals. The protective over molded housing withstands a drop of 3 m (10 ft) onto concrete. The highly visible LED display and dual sided LCD’s allow you to work anywhere.


Spectra Precision Laser CR600 Receiver
Another receiver option is the Spectra Precision Laser CR600 Receiver. In addition to use as a handheld and rod-mounted receiver, the CR600 can be used as a machine control mounted receiver with 270-degree reception and a highly visible
display for use on a backhoe, small excavator or skid steer. Rugged, accurate and easy to use, the CR600 provides high, low or on-grade information for all your grading and excavation applications.

360 Degree Site Display Machine Control Receiver with MD360R Wireless Remote Cab Display

I run a very safe working environment, when I operate construction sights. I double check on every possible danger before I allow my team to enter the site and work. Even with all the extra trouble I go through to prevent and hinder accidents, they still occur.

One of the members of my team was lightly injured the other day, when checking the grade on a job site. He had walked over to one of the lasers to have a look at the grade level and to make sure everything was running smoothly. The driver of the crane did not see the fellow walk across the sight, so he went on digging. And when he pulled the crane up to check on the level himself he saw the other guy standing there. But it was too late the crane had already flung the dirt and rocks in his direction. My colleague stumbled and hit the ground hard. He ended up in the hospital for a couple of days while they monitored his health. There was no permanent or lasting damage.

This got me thinking. I have a very safe work environment and yet one of my workers still got hurt. I had just bought a Pipe Locator the other week to ensure the safety of my team, was there anything else I was missing? I searched the web and found exactly what I was missing.

I found the AGATEC 11-0348. It is a MR360R Machine Control Receiver with the MD360R Wireless Remote Cab Display. The MR306R is mounted to the machine via rare earth magnets providing stability and accuracy when digging in rough terrain. The MR360R features full 360 degree coverage with a 9.75" capture window allowing user to have coverage virtually everywhere on the job site within 650ft from the laser transmitter. The wireless MD360R provides the operator with an in-cab display of what is showing on the MR360R laser receiver. This allows the operator to continue working from the cab and eliminates the need for co-workers to be in harm's way on the job site to check grade.

The MR360R sensor and the MD360R display communication via radio communication so there are no cables running from the receiver to the display. The MD360R display is also clear so that the operator can see through the display eliminating viewing obstacles in the cab when using the display. MD360R mounts to a machine cab via suction cup mount and is powered by machine's 12V source. It also has a 5 degree plumb indicator which ensures user of plumb when checking grade. Wireless radio cab display allows user to see grade results from the cab of the machine providing quick response time to grade changes.

In addition it offers accurate grade control information for all visual machine control applications. The large 360 degree detection windows pick up any rotating laser from any angle and ensure coverage on any job site. The MR360R's built in vertical indicator monitors angle of the excavator dipper stick, signaling if it is plumb or under or over extended. The MR360R receiver has a plumb LED indicator to indicate plumb. LED indicators show position of the cutting edge in relation to the laser reference beam. The MR360R's memory stores the last signal received and LED arrows will indicate which direction to move to get back in contact with laser reference beam.