Systems Features and Basic Operation

Purpose

The Level Best Laser Grading Box is a cost-efficient method for fine grading. Various capacities sized to fit the skid steer or tractor with a choice of automatic control systems are available.

The Laser Grading Box is intended to operate with an automatic control system providing accurate grade control. If desired, the Laser Grading Box can be operated without an automatic control system in one of two ways:

Without any Valve/Manifold - The cylinder can be connected directly to the tractor or skid steer and the Laser Grading Box operated using the tractor or skid steer valve. Flow to the hydraulic cylinder is restricted to improve control. However, movement of the cutting edge can be coarse.

With the Valve and No Control System - A switch can be installed to operate the electric valve from the tractor or skid steer, providing fine control of cylinder movement. However, raising and lowering of the cutting edge is dependant upon operator attentiveness and accuracy.

For the most accurate control and ease of operation, an automatic control system is used and recom- mended. This manual is for a skid steer or tractor- mounted, single cylinder Para-Level Laser Grading Box with customer-supplied laser controls.

NOTE: It is the responsibility of the dealer or owner to select, install, and properly operate an automatic control system on this Laser Grading Box within the guidelines of this manual.

Laser-guided depth control provides unmatched measurement of plane from a single Rotating Laser. Grade information from a Rotating Laser is processed and automatically directs the grading box’s hydraulics to maintain the elevation of the cutting edge.

Most automatic control systems can operate automatically or manually.

•In manual control, the operator watches an indicator on the Laser Sensor or Control Panel and uses the controls to keep the box “On

Grade”.

•In automatic control, the automatic control system controls the box’s hydraulic cylinder to keep the box “On Grade”.

Components

The control system consists of 4 components:

Rotating Laser – Provides a reference Plane of Laser Light over the job site (refer to Figure 1). Light plane may be level or set at an angle to match the slope of the ground.

Laser Sensor – Mounted at a specific height on a mast on the Laser Grading Box, it determines the difference in depth based on the Plane of Laser Light.

Figure 1. Plane of Laser Light with Components of the Automatic Control System