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How-To Guides
Survey Equipment How-To Guides
Step-by-step instructions for setting up, operating, and maintaining precision survey equipment in the field.
From setting up a rotary laser for grade to checking calibration and pairing a machine receiver, these guides cover the field procedures crews actually use — written for the jobsite, with the exact button sequences for each brand.
Setup & Calibration
How to Calibrate a Rotary Laser Level: Field Check & Service GuideHow to check and calibrate a rotary laser level in the field. Two-peg test method for Topcon RL-H5A, Spectra LL500, Leica Rugby. When to send in for factory calibration.Read Guide →How to Check and Adjust the Level Vial on a Survey InstrumentHow to check and adjust the circular and plate level vials on optical levels, theodolites, and total stations. Field adjustment procedure and when to send in for service.Read Guide →How to Perform a Two-Peg Test on an Optical LevelStep-by-step guide to the two-peg test for checking optical level collimation error. Setup, rod readings, calculation, and adjustment for Topcon AT-B4, Leica NA724, and Spectra precision levels.Read Guide →How to Set Up a GPS Base Station for ConstructionStep-by-step guide to setting up a GPS base station for RTK rover positioning: point setup, antenna height, correction format, and base verification.Read Guide →How to Set Up a Machine Control System on an ExcavatorStep-by-step guide to setting up a machine control grade system on an excavator. Sensor installation, calibration, design file loading, and accuracy verification for Topcon X-53x, Trimble GCS900, and Leica iCON systems.Read Guide →How to Set Up an RTK Base Station for ConstructionStep-by-step guide to setting up an RTK GPS base station for construction surveys. Known point vs. autonomous setup, radio and cellular correction broadcast, and rover initialization for Trimble, Topcon, and Leica base stations.Read Guide →How to Set Up the Spectra Precision LL500 Rotary LaserStep-by-step setup guide for the Spectra Precision LL500 rotary laser. Tripod setup, receiver pairing, and grade work. Authorized Spectra dealer guide from Express Tools.Read Guide →How to Set Up the Topcon RL-H5A Rotary LaserStep-by-step setup guide for the Topcon RL-H5A rotary laser: tripod placement, leveling, receiver pairing, and grade work. From Express Tools — authorized Topcon dealer.Read Guide →How to Set Up the Topcon TP-L6G Pipe LaserComplete setup guide for the Topcon TP-L6G pipe laser: manhole setup, grade entry, target alignment, and common troubleshooting. Authorized Topcon dealer guide.Read Guide →How to Set Up a Total Station on a Known PointStep-by-step guide to occupying a known control point with a total station. Centering, leveling, backsight orientation, and residual checks for Topcon, Trimble, and Leica instruments.Read Guide →
Field Operations
How to Calculate Pipe Grade for Sewer InstallationHow to calculate minimum pipe grade for sewer installation. Grade formulas, code minimums, and how to enter grade into Topcon TP-L6G and Spectra DG813 pipe lasers.Read Guide →How to Lay Out a Control Traverse on a Construction SiteStep-by-step guide to establishing a control traverse on a construction site using a total station. Traverse design, field measurement, closure check, and control hub placement for Topcon, Trimble, and Leica instruments.Read Guide →How to Read a Survey Rod in Feet and InchesHow to read a Philadelphia rod, fiberglass grade rod, and direct elevation rod in feet and decimal feet. Understanding rod graduations, target settings, and converting decimal feet to inches for construction use.Read Guide →How to Set Grade with a Pipe LaserStep-by-step guide to setting grade with a pipe laser for sewer and drainage installation. Elevation setup, grade entry, target reading, and accuracy verification for Topcon TP-L6G and Spectra pipe lasers.Read Guide →How to Set Out Building Corners with a Total StationStep-by-step guide to setting out building corners using a total station. Control setup, coordinate stakeout, batter board layout, and accuracy verification for Topcon GT, Trimble S-series, and Leica TS instruments.Read Guide →How to Shoot Elevations with a Digital LevelStep-by-step guide to shooting elevations with a digital level. Setup, bar-code rod reading, HI method, data recording, and accuracy verification for Topcon DL-500, Leica Sprinter, and Trimble DiNi digital levels.Read Guide →How to Transfer Elevation Across a Job Site with a Rotary LaserStep-by-step guide to transferring elevation benchmarks across a construction site using a rotary laser. Backsight setup, height of instrument calculation, and elevation transfer for Topcon RL-H5A, Spectra LL500, and Leica Rugby.Read Guide →How to Use a Data Collector with a Total StationStep-by-step guide to connecting and using a data collector with a total station for construction layout and survey. Bluetooth pairing, job setup, stakeout workflow for Trimble TSC7, Topcon FC-6000, and Leica CS20.Read Guide →How to Use a Digital Level for Differential LevelingStep-by-step guide to differential leveling with a digital level: rod readings, benchmark transfer, and closure check. For Leica, Topcon, and Sokkia digital levels.Read Guide →How to Use an Optical Level for Differential LevelingStep-by-step guide to differential leveling with an optical level. HI method, turning points, closing the loop, and error tolerance for Topcon AT-B4, Leica NA724, and Spectra precision levels.Read Guide →How to Use a Rotary Laser for a Concrete Slab PourHow to set up a rotary laser for concrete slab pours: laser placement, screed guide setup, elevation control, and verification. Step-by-step from Express Tools.Read Guide →How to Use a Total Station for Construction LayoutStep-by-step guide to total station setup and construction layout: instrument setup, backsight, coordinate geometry, and stakeout for CX series, GT series, and S series.Read Guide →
GPS & Total Station
How to Find Northing and Easting Coordinates on a Job SiteHow to find northing and easting coordinates on a construction job site using a total station, GPS rover, or from plan sheets. Understanding State Plane coordinates, local systems, and coordinate display on Trimble, Topcon, and Leica equipment.Read Guide →How to Set Up Machine Control Grade on an ExcavatorMachine control setup guide for excavators: GPS receiver mounting, sensor calibration, design file loading, and grade checking. For Topcon 3D-MC2 and Trimble GCS900 systems.Read Guide →How to Troubleshoot a GPS Rover That Won't Get a FixStep-by-step troubleshooting guide for GPS rovers stuck in float or autonomous mode. Satellite count, correction signal, multipath, and hardware checks for Trimble, Topcon, Leica, and Spectra GNSS rovers.Read Guide →How to Use a GPS Rover for Construction StakeoutStep-by-step guide to GPS/GNSS rover stakeout for construction: base station setup, rover configuration, RTK initialization, and stakeout workflow. For Trimble, Topcon, and Leica rovers.Read Guide →How to Use a GPS Rover for Construction StakeoutStep-by-step guide to using a GPS/GNSS rover for construction stakeout. Point setup, RTK initialization, pole plumbing, and stakeout navigation for Trimble, Topcon, and Leica GNSS rovers.Read Guide →How to Use Machine Control on a Motor GraderMotor grader machine control guide: reading the cab display, setting design surface, automatic blade control, and common operator errors to avoid.Read Guide →
Maintenance & Care
How to Clean and Maintain a Total StationStep-by-step guide to cleaning and maintaining a total station in the field and shop. Lens cleaning, axis checks, tribrach maintenance, and service interval recommendations for Topcon, Trimble, Leica, and Sokkia total stations.Read Guide →How to Extend Battery Life on Survey Equipment in Cold WeatherHow to maximize battery life on total stations, GPS rovers, and data collectors in cold weather. Storage, charging, field handling, and backup power strategies for Trimble, Topcon, Leica, and Spectra survey instruments.Read Guide →
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