I want to establish grade in both front and back yard of my house.

I'm looking for a 360 deg, self leveling, laser kit.

I will probably use this a total of 4-10 times which is why renting doesn't make sense for me.

This seems like a decent value, but it's still 430 bucks : CST/berger LL20 Self-Leveling 360-Degree Exterior Line Laser with Cone Technology [Link: amazon.com]

Bosch GLL3-80 3 Plane Leveling-Alignment Laser [Link: amazon.com] has 3 planes, but it doesn't come with detector, which is another 100-200 bucks.

Then there is this mystery item: [Link: ebay.com]

I know I can get manual leveling ones for less, but I like the idea of self leveling because bubble levels at a distance of 100-150 feet can be quite inaccurate.

I also realize that some of the 360 laser beams are not rotary units. Instead they have a cone. I think I'm good with that as it's less expensive, and there are less moving parts, therefore one less thing to break.

I'm OK with buying used, refurb, demo, whatever units, so if you see something or know something, please let brother know.

How large is your lot and how accurate does it need to be?

You could rent a transit or level and a rod- it would accomplish the same thing.

I have a Dewalt 3 axis that works great indoors. The only thing I know about outdoor laser is that it should be a green laser because it works much better in the daylight.
I could be wrong but make sure you investigate that.

Get a real mans laser level. Look into Johnson Level. Yes, you want a green laser.
We have one of theirs and it gets used on every job.

Dude, do you see how cool this is?
My yard could be an 8x6 cell and this thing would still be awesome.

To answer your question, I have an acre. I want to slope ground away from the house but need to make sure I retain the rainwater on the property without affecting neighbours.
Same thing on the front.
The whole acre will be fairly well utilized, therefore 4-6" mistake 100-150 away could be a costly one.
It doesn't rain much here in New Mexico, but when it rains, it pours.
Because of that, water run off is a big concern, washing dirt roads away and running into people's garages and such.

Read the title; it says want, not need :-)

How about this:

[Link: homedepot.com]

...fill with water, and do it like the Romans did it.

Will take 2 people but at $15 bucks might be worth it.

I did see that.
Either way I'll need a receiver/detector. That's why that Bosh unit is a more expensive proposition, because it doesn't come with a detector.

Don't make me send Ernie on you brother; gime a model # I can lookup.

Chris, you're killing me with no part numbers.

Is this the beast you're talking about?: Johnson Green Beam Rotary Laser 40-6547
[Link: tigersupplies.com] ?
With detector, that bitch is $2,600 !

I can't drop that kind of a coin on a backyard toy.

That is fun to play with and show my 9 year old the physics behind water seeking it's own level.
If it rained here more often, I could use my tractor to grade my yard and wait for rain to see how I did; but since it rains here like 3 times a year, that would take a while.

BTW, I already have a transit that I bought at Ritchie Brothers auction some 12-14 years ago. It should/could be this: CST/Berger 28x SAL Automatic Level Kit [Link: homedepot.com] .


It works, but it requires two people and it's not as cool.

Gonna install a big cistern? That would be a good plan.

If you want cool surveying equipment, get a theodolite-

[Link: tigersupplies.com]

No Ernie necessary........

Here it is

[Link: amazon.com]

I also now see they have red laser enhancing glasses which I didnt see when I bought the laser 4/13

[Link: amazon.com]

Says the man that just dropped 16 large on a backyard toy ;-)

Sorry I'm not one who uses it and am somewhat removed from that area of the business; didn't have the model number. I just texted the guy who's in charge of keeping it safe. It's the 6544 model. Evidently cost me about a grand. I consider that fair given my stress level if I walk in and see something not lined up perfect.

We had another one from Johnson that supposedly was the top dog but that walked off a site while the guys were on their "union break". All I know is it gets used on every job...I'm sure you could find many uses for it after your backyard project...lining up speakers, keypads, displays, acoustical panels, WAPs; shit I could go on and on, if you want your devices lined up properly and in relationship to others aspects of a residence you need one of these.

I ran across a GREAT idea on a construction site out of the country. It was in a HUGE theater where there's about an eight foot drop from the front to the back of the theater. Near the floor at the back, and correspondingly around the room, was a horizontal arrow and the word TOPO painted on the wall.

RENT one after you put up stakes at different places around the property, high enough to ensure that they're at least at the height you need. Some night, set up the laser and go nuts marking everything. Start at one side of the house and make some kind of reference mark near the corners. Go around the corner, set up the laser again, make more marks, mark the stakes, etc. After that evening's work you can use the hose thingie (don't have model number but bet Hazard Fraught has one that's also a combo ball peen hammer) to locate other heights later.