Thoughts on transit level vs. green laser & receiver when leveling septic leach field trenches.

I'm trying to decide on if a transit level or a laser level (with receiver) would work best while installing my leach field trenches. Both have acceptable tolerances at 30+ feet and around the same price... My leach field will be (6) trenches, total size of field is 60' by 33'. Which would be best to use in order to simply check level along the trenches? The laser and receiver would be a bit more expensive, but I could find other uses around the house for it, the transit level, probably not.

A laser is the best way, easy to do by yourself and much faster. You can rent them as well if you don't really need to own one.

Not sure what you guys have for a laser level, but I gave up on using my rotary laser due to it taking too long to set up the tripod and holding the stick. I have a tool called a Zipp level, which I find to be fast and reliable an accurate enough for my cause. Like on a trench if if I wanted to check one side of the trench against the other side for degree of slope or levelness. The zipp level gives me a digital readout in inches. You can buy the tool online through Northern Tool and Amazon for under a $1000.

I can have a basic modern laser set up in about 3 minutes and be shooting grade in under 5 I would get a decent brand like leica or spectra

For big construction jobs, and for doing jobs to drawings, you usually use the rotary laser. I'm just saying for casual residential work, take a look at the Zipp level. When I had the rotary laser, it came in a big carry case that had to be stored out of the rain or locked up. It was then heavy to carry around. It was always a concern of it getting wet or dusty. With the zipp level I can keep it in the cab of the mini excavator by my feet. Hop out and pull the digital box and line out and take a few quick readings, then wind it back in and put it away. Very easy. Images is of one of my guys checking slab grade.

PeterG said: For big construction jobs, and for doing jobs to drawings, you usually use the rotary laser. I'm just saying for casual residential work, take a look at the Zipp level. When I had the rotary laser, it came in a big carry case that had to be stored out of the rain or locked up. It was then heavy to carry around. It was always a concern of it getting wet or dusty. With the zipp level I can keep it in the cab of the mini excavator by my feet. Hop out and pull the digital box and line out and take a few quick readings, then wind it back in and put it away. Very easy. Images is of one of my guys checking slab grade. Click to expand... Looks like it's plugged into the house? Back to the OP, laser level can be rented as mentioned before and would be my recommendation.

No. It does not use electricity. It's a 100' reel box with a cord line and a digital readout. Say you want to check the grade near you, then compare to a grade out of line of sight. You can't do that with a laser. Most people who have never heard of it don't think it would work. I love using it to do bids. I can go to a customers house and know that if I'm building a four foot tall wall it will be this high up the slope. When looking at a paver patio grade I can quickly tell from the house foundation six inches below the siding, where 1.5 percent grade will take me 25' out compare to the current grade of the lawn. I don't know how it works, but it's not a water level and it's very accurate. It won't take the place of a rotary laser for certain types of jobs, like setting foundation forms, but for many jobs, it's excellent. ZIPLEVEL PRO-2000 High Precision Altimeter with Unipod, Protective Boot, Anchoring Stakes, and User Guide​ Brand: Technidea Corporation

AzIron said: I can have a basic modern laser set up in about 3 minutes and be shooting grade in under 5 I would get a decent brand like leica or spectra Click to expand... We don't use lasers much anymore but the ones we have are self leveling and easily shooting grade in 5 mins from taking it out of the truck.

CM1995 said: We don't use lasers much anymore but the ones we have are self leveling and easily shooting grade in 5 mins from taking it out of the truck. Click to expand... Some of us are nostalgic for the 90s and like our lasers better than new fangled gps

AzIron said: Some of us are nostalgic for the 90s and like our lasers better than new fangled gps Click to expand... Seinfeld is one of the best shows to ever grace our airwaves - the 90's were awesome.

Well I have never heard of the Zipp, it looks interesting. I moved from a transit to a medium quality non slope laser lever, to some top end lasers. At first I did not like the cheaper lasers. The better rechargeable and 12 volt units can run off your truck. They are simply amazing. I have them tested and calibrated and the Leica is a straight shooter. There is a tolerance range that is acceptable from the factory mine is in the upper 20% range. Battery charge last 3 days and the receiver can change slope on the fly and tells me how much grade is out to about 3" up or down. Every thing is now a 1 person job, I can dig footings, set corners, and control grade alone. It is nothing for me to work 500' runs and stay within a 1/4". Leica setup is about 5k, Spectra is around 7500. All the laser screed guys run the spectra they have fast spin speeds and are accurate. I tend to use my Leica for on the fly slope adjustment. All the crews look at me as if I am the surveyor. I can hold grade in some cases better than a total station. All the form crews use the 800 to 1200 units, which work fine. They typically work in a 300' area, or 150 each way. I go with high end unit because I am paid to get the grade right. When working on slabs my laser sits at 10' up on a heavy tripod. Twice high winds have hit and blown it over. Took it and had it checked and it is still spot on. Lucky I guess. That will really ruffle your feathers. I make sure and lay the ladder down once I get started because it will blow over first. For footings, I set the corners with the laser then put up the forms top a string line then just measure from the top of the board to the bottom of the trench using a tape. When forms stake are not needed I just use a tight string and dig the line. Only need the laser for about an hour on setup. The pipe line guys have one that shoots a beam straight threw their pipes and it is pretty cool. Done several field lines with the Leica use a stick and pop it on .05% and no problem. Everyone says flat but I give it just a little

I can definitely second the leica product we have the 610s and they take a lot of abuse and just work I have problems with heat waves before I have tolerance problems

Thanks everyone, I ordered a cheaper green rotary laser and receiver, specs end up being .100" deviation over the extents of my field which is good enough.