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That fancy leveling system I was dead set against actually saved my butt
I've been running a 50 ton Grove for 8 years and always bragged about doing everything by eye. Last week on a job near the river in Portland the ground was so soft my usual tricks had the boom listing 3 degrees. Bought a used Trimble laser level after that mess and got through the rest of the week without any scares. Anyone else had a tool they mocked turn into a must have?
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amymason1mo ago
Your usual tricks had the boom listing 3 degrees" - man, that hits close to home. I told myself for years my eye was good enough. @benwilliams, I caved after the ground tried to turn my 50 tonner into a leaning tower of crane. Now I feel like a dummy every time I flip that laser on and realize how much I was guessing.
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benwilliams1mo ago
You used to think those leveling systems were overkill too? Totally get it. I was the same way for years, running a 60 ton Link-Belt and swearing by my bubble levels and a good eye. Then I had a job on a sloped parking lot near an old strip mall where the ground was way worse than it looked. After the second time I had to reset the outriggers cause the cab was tilting funny, I borrowed a buddy's digital level. Now I actually check it every time before I even start the crane. What finally made you cave and buy one?
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