Figure 44. Motor grader
under laser control during
final grading of ice. Trans-
mitter is mounted on ro-
bust, portable tower.
were actually level (750 to 1000 ft and 6000 to
Most laser systems will operate in a 300-m-
10,500 ft) at relative elevations of 95.2 ft and 96.2
(1000-ft-) diam. circle and thus allow a single
ft relative to the arbitrarily assigned 100-ft master
surveyed position (the position of the laser
datum. The grade on the sloping segment (1000
transmitter) for each 1000 ft of distance along
to 6000 ft) was only 0.020%, essentially undetect-
the runway.
able.
Long-wavelength bumps (i.e., greater than
the wheelbase of the grader) will be removed
Final ice grading
although they are most likely undetectable
Far and away the most efficient means of pro-
by the grader operator, no matter how good
ducing a final grade is to use a laser-guidance
he/she is.
system (Fig. 44). This is not, however, a substitute
Even on sunny days, there is very little vis-
for good operators. Coupling an experienced op-
ible contrast when working on ice, and it is
erator with a laser system has significant advan-
difficult for an operator to "work by eye"
tages when producing an ice runway surface:
and arrive at a level surface.
Figure 45. Custom built chisel-tooth grader blade used during finish grading of runway.
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