As with all purchasing decisions, you have to factor in your budget when choosing a tripod for surveying. Yes, portability, durability, and other tripod features are important considerations. But you don’t have to break the bank just to get all of these essential tripod features. Some of NEDO’s aluminum surveying tripods , for instance, weigh a little over 8 pounds—which is as easy to carry as a healthy newborn baby. 3. Stability Survey grade, 3D laser (LiDAR) scanners (airborne, terrestrial, car & boat mobile scanners), and Cavity Monitoring Systems (CMS) Once the tripod is positioned and secure, the instrument is placed on the head. The mounting screw is pushed up under the instrument to engage the instrument's base and screwed tight when the instrument is in the correct position. The flat surface of the tripod head is called the foot plate and is used to support the adjustable feet of the instrument.

Positioning the tripod and instrument precisely over an indicated mark on the ground or benchmark requires intricate techniques. Besides that, you might want to consider getting a tripod for surveying with an included bag and/or shoulder strap. Dutch Hill’s aluminum surveying tripods come complete with polyweb carrying straps. So once you fold them up, you can simply hold their straps and bring them wherever you need to. 5. Clamps Being specialists in rail surveying and the sole UK distributor for Amberg equipment we are able to supply a large selection of rail surveying and monitoring equipment. Northwest Instrument’s contractor-grade tripods make use of this kind of clamp, so they’re easy to set up and store away. Plus, they’re ideal for frequently changing setups.As was previously mentioned, surveying tripods have to be lightweight so that you can easily carry them wherever the job takes place. Of course, you don’t have to sacrifice durability when you choose to have a lightweight tripod. Aluminum tripods made by well-established surveying equipment brands are designed to be both lightweight and sturdy enough for outdoor use. Wood is a popular material for traditional surveying tripods. Known for its temperature resistance, wood will neither contract nor expand when exposed to extreme temperature changes—unlike other materials. That makes wooden tripods extremely stable, especially when working in extreme weather conditions.

The reason for adding the 100 metres is so that you avoid any negative instrument heights, as these can sometimes cause people issues when adding and subtracting numbers. A surveyor's tripod with a shoulder strap. The head of the tripod supports the instrument while the feet are spiked to anchor the tripod to the ground.Fixed length legs were also seen on older instruments. Instrument height was adjusted by changing the angle of the legs. Widely spaced tripod feet resulted in a lower instrument while closely spaced legs raised the instrument. This was considerably less convenient than having variable length legs. This type of tripod clamp comes with a screw at the center or on the side. After adjusting the tripod to your preferred height, you can tighten the clamp’s screws by hand until you reach a sufficiently secure tightness. But aside from the tripod’s lightweight aluminum material, you might want to consider its size and folded length.

Working in harsh outdoor conditions call for durable equipment. That’s why most surveying tripods are built to be durable enough to withstand the toughest field conditions. Another popular choice of tripod material, fiberglass surveying tripods marry aluminum’s lightweight feature with wood’s temperature resistance. This kind of tripod is well-known for its ability to withstand harsh outdoor elements, making it ideal for prolonged use outdoors. For even more comfort, the laser scanner can be lifted with a cordlesspower drill. A proper screw bit to replace the crank is supplied as a standard.Needles to say that the Industrial Line elevating tripod is equipped with a twist proof elevating column with centric clamping and combitripod shoes for all-terrain use. But as with all other products, not all surveying tripods are similar. Since they’re made of different materials, they come with different features as well.If you don’t want to lug around a heavy load throughout the day, you might want to factor in weight when choosing a tripod. Aluminum is, by far, one of the most lightweight kinds of surveying tripods. While it doesn’t offer the temperature resistance of wood and fiberglass, it’s the best portable choice for most setups that last for less than an hour. There are only a few kinds of tripod heads on the market: dome, flat, and threaded base. While they slightly differ in shape and appearance, they all perform similarly. Choosing among these three is all a matter of preference.

Materials for older tripods were predominantly wood and brass, with some steel for high wear items like the feet or foot points. Again, as with most buying decisions, another thing you have to consider (apart from the cost) is the brand. While there are tons of sturdy tripods from lesser-known brands on the market, you can surely get your money’s worth when you invest in a tripod made by a trusted brand. The right tripod choice is decisive if the indicated accuracy of an instrument is to be reached. The classification "heavy duty" and "light duty" is widely based on ISO Norm 12858-2.Remember! Telescoping legs are great for added height, but you still want to make sure the tripod is sturdy without being too heavy. Having dual clamps on each leg helps ensure stability while also enabling you to adjust the tripod as needed. You may also need to consider added safety features when using an extended-length surveying tripod. Also, it’s alway a bonus when the carrying bag and/or strap is well made and comfortable. Makes all the difference during a long day in the field. Keep the level clean and dry: Wipe the level and its accessories with a soft, dry cloth to remove dirt and moisture. Avoid using harsh chemicals or abrasive materials.