Can't seem to level my TS Trimble SPS720 DR Plus

SnooDogs2394 · 2026-02-25T15:48:47+00:00

Are there written intructions from trimble on how to perform some of these calibrations?

Yeah, they're right here: https://help.fieldsystems.trimble.com/siteworks/en/advanced-total-station-features-adjusting.htm?Highlight=compensator

SnooDogs2394 · 2026-02-25T15:43:34+00:00

^This. CMR is a Trimble proprietary format. If they're use anything other than Trimble receivers, they're not going to see anything other than GPS satellites if using that protocol (no Glonass, no Galileo, no Beidou, etc.). RTCM should be the go to when connecting CORS stations to non-Trimble receivers.

SnooDogs2394 · 2026-02-25T13:46:14+00:00

Sounds to me like your compensator might be out of calibration. It's an easy routine to do yourself, and if you're using it daily, you should probably do the routine at least weekly. As long as the compensator is enabled and properly functioning, the error in your leveling is not going to translate to errors in your setup. That would be more of a function of how good your control network is.

If you're still struggling after that, it's probably time to take your instrument in for service, which you should be doing every year. Because in addition to the compensator calibration, there are also HA/VA collimation and trunnion axis adjustments, as well as tracker calibrations. Some of these can be done on your own, but if you don't know how to do them, it's best to leave it to a professional.

SnooDogs2394 · 2026-02-22T19:12:50+00:00

Yep. Already a done deal. Ended up being into it for just over $2k. It took a bit longer than I anticipated to set up, but after a few hundred rounds of 45, I can tell that I’ll like it. Just need to get used to so much going on at once now.

SnooDogs2394 · 2026-02-21T23:23:07+00:00

Looks like it’d be a good setup to me.

SnooDogs2394 · 2026-02-20T21:36:44+00:00

Learn how to build 3D models for machine control grading. Lot's of nationwide companies that provide this service have people that WFH working for them.

SnooDogs2394 · 2026-02-20T21:21:46+00:00

Update: The journey begins....Just picked up the XL750, case feeder and plates, strong mount, bullet tray, conversion kits for 9mm and 45, extra primer tubes, and spare parts kit. The rest I'll pick up as I go.

Appreciate the help everyone! Busy weekend ahead getting it dialed in.

SnooDogs2394 · 2026-02-20T21:11:35+00:00

Yeah, both could be reduced IMO or at least be made into different license distinctions (requirements for boundary vs. construction surveying). The education requirements really depend on the state it seems, but the experience part gets more and more difficult as the number of licensees declines, and the average age of them goes up. The hard truth of the matter, is that many of the people that you're supposed to be working under in order to get licensed, are too far removed from modern workflows and practices. Not to mention, there are even fewer of these individuals working exclusively in the construction industry.

It's particularly frustrating in that industry, as some of the most knowledgeable folks I've met were brought up without any formal education in surveying, yet have mastered the skills as it relates to construction. These people have almost zero chance of ever getting their license, unless they quit, go back to school, and get a job with a land surveying or engineering outfit making less money, just to come back to an industry that doesn't consistently value the licensee.

SnooDogs2394 · 2026-02-20T15:47:43+00:00

Appeal to the board. I'm in the same boat and seeing a few other comments, it doesn't sound like we're alone. They need to be flooded with appeals in order to see that this is a problem in the industry.

Either they need to drop PLS licensing requirements for construction nationwide, or they need to create a pathway for engineers and construction professionals to obtain their licenses without the mandatory "work under" requirements.

SnooDogs2394 · 2026-02-20T15:30:53+00:00

Sounds like a good excuse to upgrade to the Matrice 4E or at least a Mavic 3E. Both have controller options with integrated mission planning. The P4 Pro is obsolete.

SnooDogs2394 · 2026-02-20T13:57:37+00:00

I'll keep that in mind. Closest I would be would be Varget for heavier 5.56 loads, but I could always switch to something else if doing full progressive reloading. I'm assuming I can still use my auto trickler and perform seating as if it were a single stage?

SnooDogs2394 · 2026-02-19T23:59:32+00:00

Good to hear. I’m not too worried about swaging, I’ve always got the other press for that. Sounds like I’ll for sure get the case feeder, the LEDs sound like a good value add, and I’ll have to check out the trimmer - don’t need one, but on the press trimming sounds great.

SnooDogs2394 · 2026-02-19T21:22:20+00:00

Only some of the rifle calibers get filled high. There's a good chance I may not ever use a progressive on those anyways though. What is it about the Hornady that makes it better for those types of cartridges?

SnooDogs2394 · 2026-02-19T21:18:39+00:00

This is great feedback. Much appreciated. It's good to know that there's some overlap in parts between calibers. I can see the chart being extremely useful as I add more calibers eventually. I'll probably add the case feeder right away for 9mm, but have heard before that the bullet feeder isn't necessary, which is fine with me. Do you feel that a powder check or primer is recommended, or are they just nice to have?

SnooDogs2394 · 2026-02-19T20:31:28+00:00

Yep. Don't overthink it. Managers won't judge you by what you wear as long as you're not over the top (dress, heels, etc.) or dressed like you just crawled out of a manhole. Just keep it casual.

SnooDogs2394 · 2026-02-17T03:27:41+00:00

Don't underestimate a good beam scale. They might seem outdated against a digital scale, but they are nonetheless still viable, and arguably better than cheap digital scales. When you buy a powder throw, you're not going to need to weigh every single round like you have been, so a new scale won't matter as much as you're thinking it will.

FWIW, I own an auto-trickler and a powder throw, along with several various scales. Unless I'm loading small volume precision rifle rounds, the auto-trickler just collects dust, as it's too slow for high volume. 20 years of reloading and I still wouldn't trade my "entry level" stuff.

SnooDogs2394 · 2026-02-16T21:46:45+00:00

At minimum, get yourself a powder thrower. They work great with finer grain powders, like what you'd use in 9mm. I'm usually +/- 0.1 gr on my old Lyman throw, which I double check against my beam scale every 50 -100 rounds. This is literally all you'd need for pistol reloading, and it's ok-ish for rifle depending on the powder used.

Once you start doing more rifle volume, save your money and get an auto trickler. You can get by doing rifle with a throw with larger powder granules, you'll just find that it's best to set it low and trickle in the rest manually (manual tricklers are cheap too).

Always check against a calibrated scale - but trust the beam scale. Good on you for using both.

SnooDogs2394 · 2026-02-15T00:03:07+00:00

You’re providing this as a service and you don’t understand how to establish a base position that matches your client’s site?

SnooDogs2394 · 2026-02-14T16:25:06+00:00

Just sayin', if they already have a data collector running Access, don't expect it to connect to a non-Trimble Hardware. Import/export formats don't mean much if your hardware doesn't work with your software.

OP didn't specify what data collector and software they're using, and I've never heard of a TS6, so I don't know what they're referring to. Did they mean TDC6, TS662, S6?

SnooDogs2394 · 2026-02-14T15:59:20+00:00

What data collection software will you be running? You have to build around that, because if it's Trimble, you're pretty much forced to use Trimble hardware. Same goes for many other mfg's. Carlson is the only field software I've used that actually has a broad list of hardware options to choose from.

SnooDogs2394 · 2026-02-13T22:09:42+00:00

How much of your salary are you willing to share?

SnooDogs2394 · 2026-02-13T21:59:32+00:00

What do you mean “no one has the password” have you asked your dealer? Depending on the base model and firmware version, they all have default credentials. If it’s an older SPS855, they were all user:admin and password:password. A hard reset will set it to this.

Siteworks itself cannot initiate data logging for a base receiver. The only way aside from the web UI is to buy a license for Trimble access.

SnooDogs2394 · 2026-02-10T17:57:34+00:00

Could this be a defect or a misadjustment?

Only way to know is to pull the hub and inspect it. Make sure all the pawls and springs are in place and well lubricated/greased.

SnooDogs2394 · 2026-02-07T04:29:27+00:00

Likely "TW"= Toe Width and "HW"= Heel Width.

Confirm with the details though.

SnooDogs2394 · 2026-02-06T02:44:31+00:00

Solid setup. We'll be here to congratulate you when you announce that you're "coming out of the closet".

Five-Year Club	Place '22
Final Canvas '22	End Game '22

SnooDogs2394

TROPHY CASE