Inst ruments and Equipment
before a hole is drilled for
mav alter this condition so
op€rator may be seriously
:ssan' to place the spad in
eliable. The blocking may
heavv ground may displace
the position of such stations
t*'hen a station is placed in
Iuard against a falt of loose
ould contain the following:
(about I in. in diameter).
khammer to airline.
ln)').
r manila rope.
ng off tape or instrument
ng slass are carried- on the
t made in the back of the
I paees to the back should
uares of tracing cloth to be
:tracins cloth is held between
ot
red and the usual drawing
have available a pantograph
sizes of steel straightedges,
pment. and a calculator. A
satisfactory. A variety of
g various levels and stope
tric [unctions and logarithms
Chapter 2
Adjustment of Instruments
Modern instruments seldom need more than casual checking of the
adjustments. They are so well constructed that only the expert tech-
nicians employed by th6 manufacturer need attempt major adjustments
or repairs. Instruments used for mine surveying may possibly receive
somewhat rougher treatment and thus require more frequent testing
for adjustment.
Accidents in isolated areas may necessitate makeshift emergency
re.p-.airs. Adjustments and rriinor repairs within the limits of the .n[ir...
rvill be outlined.
Adjusting Yard
It is convenient to have an area equipped for making adjirstments.
This does not require any great amount of equipment or space. Select
a level spot near the engineering office in the shade, on the north side of
the building. otherwise, the work must be done on a cloudy day.
Establish two points at least 500 ft. apart, with the instrument
station located very closely by tape halfway between and on the same
line. This line must be on fairly level ground. Fasten two horizontal
scales permanently at the end points, on wide stakes or batter boards
or the sides of buildings, at approximately the same elevation as the
height of the instrument. A short piece of whiteface tape is quite
satisfactory for the scale. It should be graduated to at least O.Ot ft.
Some pocket tapes have one side graduated to 1/16 in. and would thus
be quite suitable. The scale is used to adjust the vertical line of colli-
mation (line of sight perpendicular to the horizontal axis).
At exactly equal distances (not less than 100 ft.) on either side of the
instrument station and nearly in line with it, place two additional
stakes. These points are used for adjusting the telescope level by the
two-peg method. If convenient, locate the instrument station near the
side of a building or pole. This location should provide height and
space to observe an elevated point at about 45o above the instrument.
18 Adjustment of Instruments Adjustment of I ns tumez : :
Near the base of the building or pole, locate a horizontal scale. If lens for mineral idenuEc
possible, a readily identifiable point may be permanently established for minimum of spurs and pr
the elevated sight. In this way one man without help can check the Shellac is recommender
vertical line of collimation and the standards (the elevation or hori- But DuPont cement o: sln
zontal axis). Generally there are fine n
The distances given are minimums. A rough rule for distances is that the cross hairs. After fa
they should exceed the maximum occurring during the use of the fasten it. Hold it in pa
instrument: (This cannot apply to triangulation or stadia surveys.) hardens. After compietil
One of the 250-ft. distances can be used for adjusting the side reverse procedure to retul
telescope. And if a vertical scale is made available, the arrangement of the replaced cross hain
becomes suitable for the top telescope.

Replacement of Hairs n/ Testing and adjustmenr

In addition to the adjustments commonly made to the transit, level, to avoid confusion and u:
and alidades, one field repair that occasionally may be necessary is ments disturbing eariier c
replacement of the cross hairs. Ordinarily, cross hairs would be about Prelimina{y to makins
the last part of an instrument to sustain damage. However, carelessness the following sug€esrion-( -

is responsible for some of this. A helper, or even an experienced 1. Be sure an adju:trae

instrumentman who knows better, likes to withdraw the eyepiece tube faulty field procedure o: I
and poke his finger into the telescope barrel. The result is usually no 2. If possible, choo': a
cross hairs. It is useless to say this sort of thing should not be permitted. 3. Check tripod for lo**
Another piece of carelessness (and generally it is just that) is letting is firmly tightened to tn!(
water drop into either end of the telescope. Many steeply inclined 4. Set up on firm grou
openings allow little choice for an ideal location of the station. Water-, apart and press shoes iru
diipping on an almost vertically positioned telescope will eventuafly nearly level. Loosen a::,d
seep past even the best lens mounting. The effect on the cross hairs for adjustable-lee tripcd.
(especially if spider web) is disastrous. v 5. After leveline up. lc*
An isolated location or special job may require immediate temporary screws should be firrn bu:
replacement of the cross haird. This task under field conditions is 6. Be absolutelv cer-ai.c
tedious but by no means impossible. Removing and replacing the before attempting the actr.
cross hair reticle may prove far more irritating than the actual'mounting 7. Set instrument cu:s:
of the spider web. erature. Bubbles should t
After^removing the eyepiece, loosen the four capstan-headed screws Their movement mav i:e s
holding the reticle. Remove two screws (say the horizontal ones) changes in temper"tur..
and carefully turn the reticle longitudinally about the remaining 8. Consider the actu: l
screws. Insert a slender, pointed stick of soft wood through the eye-' adjustment. Most tests for
piece end of the barrel and carefully screw it into the threaded recess 9. Tramping arouno th<
for the capstan-headed screw. Upon removing the remaining vertical Transit. Adjustmenr tc
screws, withdraw the reticle. order.
Wipe out the interior of the telescope barrel carefully and put it in a Plate l-euels. The ir.stn
warm spot to dry (if water was the original cause of the trouble). bubbles with one pair of is
To replace the cross hairs, use the thinnest, strongest spider web bring the bubbles to lhe
available. Most engineers-at least mining engineers-carry a hand motion and turn the in-<t

:,: ..=:::::,':=, ..==4

 A dj trs t ment of Inst ruments
cate a horizontal scale. If
perrnanently established for
rithout help can check the
rds (the elevation or hori-
ugh ruie for distances is that
ing during the use of the
lation or stadia surveys.)
sed for adjusting the side
available, the arrangement
tirs -
made to the transit, level,
,1'
onallv may be necessary is
, cross hairs would be about
oage. However, carelessness
lr. or even an experienced
s'ithdraw the eyepiece tube
rl. The result is usually no
rine should not be permitted.
rall,v it is just that) is letting
)pe. \{any steeply inclined
:ation of the station. Water-
cd telescope will eventually
te effect on the cross hairs
rquire immediate temporary
;k under field conditions is
.emoving and replacing the
ins than the actualmounting
four capstan-headed screws
; (sav the horizontal ones)
inall_r' about the remaining
'soft w'ood through the eye-'
*'it into the threaded recess'
ovins the remaining vertical
rrrel carefully and put it in a
rl cause of the trouble).
rnnest. strongest spider web
ne engineers-carry a hand
Adjustment of Instruments 19
lens for mineral identification. Use this lens to select a web with a
minimum of spurs and projections. (Use the eyepiece as a magnifier;)
Sheltac is recommended by many for fastening the web to the reticle.
But DuPont cement or similar quick-drying cement is quite satisfactory.
Generally there are fine marks on the reticle to indicate the position of
the crosi hairs. After fastening one end, stretch the web tightly and
fasten it. Hold it in position by tweezers until the gluing material
hardens. After completing the replacement of the cross hairs, use the
reverse procedure to return the reticle to its position. For adjustment
of the replaced cross hairs, see the following section.
Adjustments
Testing and adjustments should be made in the order given below
to avoidionfusion and unnecessary repetition caused by later adjust-
ments disturbing earlier ones.
Preliminary to making adjustments, instrument manufacturers make
the following suggestions :
1. Be sure an-adjustment is actually necessary; the trouble may be
faulty field procedure or testing.
2. If possible, choose a cloudY duy.
3. Check tripod for loose shoes and clamps, and see that instrument
is firmly tightened to trrpod. Use sunshade.
4. Sdt up on firm ground out of the sun. Spread tripod legs rvide
_ apart and press shoes firmly into the ground_. Tripod-head should be
nlarly level. Loosen and retighten tripod clamps at head and joints
l
for adjustable-leg tripod.
5. After leveling up, loosen and retighten leveling screws. Leveling
screws should be flrm but not excessively tight. '
6. Be absolutely certain that adjustment is necessary by rechecktng
before atterripting the adjustment.
7. Set insirumint ouiside until it has reached the ambient tem-
erature. Bubbles should be given time to come to their final position.
Their movement may be sluggish, particularly if they are subjected to
changes in temperature.
8. Consider the actual effect on the field work before making an-
adjustment. Most tests for misadjustment givt twice the apparent error.
b. Tru*ping around the instrument should be kept.to a minimum.
Transit. AdJustments to the transit should be made in the following
order.
plate Leuels.'The instrument is carefully leveled after aligning the
bubbles with one pair of leveling screws. After clamping both motions,
bring the bubblei to the centers of the tubes. Unclamp the ypp-er
motion and turn the instrument 180' about its vertical axis. If the
 20 Adjustmen t of In s t rument s
Adjustment of Ins t r-wnn,
bubbles remain centered, no adjustment is necessary. To make an
adjustment, unclamp the upper motion and with u, uilusting pin turn
the capstan-headed screw -tb raise or lower the bub6te-tu5e casing.
Bring the bubbl. B
F|f*uy_back toward the center. The adjustment is
made for each bubble. instrumentmen prefer first to bring the
. Yuly
bubble halfway back with thd leveling screws ind then to center with
the adjusting screws. And some ,rerr?o not clamp the motions.
It is well at this point to emphasize
-will proper size of adjusting pin. A
damaged.
_or wrong-sized. pin q"ictty ruin the
"uprtun-rreaded
screws. Also, lock nuts, if present, must be slightly loosened. t
After centering the bubbles, revolve the tr-ansit back 180" to its
original position to check the adjustment. Repeat the procedure until
the desired degree of refinement is reached.
Cross Hairs. Two adjustments may be required: (1) See that the
vertical hair is perpendicular. with both motions clamped, sight the
vertical hair on a distant object (a projecting .orn..). Move the :

telesc_ope up and down, rotating about its horizJntal axis; if the cross
hair follows the-point throughout its length, no adjustment is needed. H-,
,lr
If not, loosen the screws holding th_e leticte and, by gently tapping /1',
against one screw, rotate the cross hair ring in the rlgtr, ai..itionl
After bringing the cross hair vertical, retighten the screws ind check the
8-+ t
/l'

operation. This adjustment can be dispensed with for short sights by

sighting with the intersection of the tw6 cross hairs.
(2) the vertical line of collimation perpendicular to the hori-
-Bring
zontal axis of the telescope. (This adjuitmint reduces errors in
horizo.ntal angles, but the errors are completely compensated for by
lepelting the angle with a plunged (inverted)- telescbpe.) Refer to
Fig. 22a. Use the instrumeni station and two scales deicriUea for the
?t A and carefully level. Clamp one of the
adj rsting ya-.d.. set up
motions and sight B with the other (seiect a graduation near the
center of scale B). Keeping motions clamped, plunge the tele-
-both
:cop-e
and record the reading for c or D (this depinds bn tfr'e direction
in which the vertical cross hair is displaced and is immaterial so far as
t-20' ,.

the procedure is concerned). Unclamp one motion and revolve the DA

telescope around its aertical axis and sight B. clamp the motion and
plunge. telescope to D or c. The adJustment is made by slightly
Ioosening_ the four-capstan-headed screfus of the cross hair'ringlani Fr-
moving the vertical cross hair one-fourth of the distance between C
urg ? (say to E from D). This is accomplished by alternately loosening. Standards. To adiust
and tightening opposite screws. Tighten the screws and recfieck. Lac[ (Fig. 22b). Set up tire t:
of adjust.me_nt here may be compensated by repeating the horizontal and read point ,B cn :he
angle. and plunging the telescope.- It is obvious it at o,ity even-number and read C on the scalt
repetitions should be used. to C. It is made bv r
horizontal axis. Rereat
 Adj us t ment of Inst ruments Adjustment of Instrument s 2t
i necessary. To make an )D
n'ith an adjusting pin turn
lr the bubble-tube casing.
center. The adjustment is
B
A
1;
en preler first to bring the
rs and then to center with (")
r clamp the motions. Verlrca / Co/lmalnn
er size of adjusting pin. A
' ruin the capstan-headed
sliehtly loosened. I,A
:transit back 180" to its ll
Repeat the procedure until ,r
lr
It
required: (1) See that the ,t
It
notions clamped, sight the It
lr
ning corner). Move the ,r
orizontal axis; if the cross I rl I

L no adjustment is needed.
:le and. by gently tapping
ing in the right direction. 0,c
en the screws and check the
(b)
ed u ith for short sights by
,ss hairs. Standards
perpendicular to the hori-
rstrnent reduces errors in
rletelr compensated for by
ned ) telescope.) Refer to 4314
u'o scales described for the
b.o 54
; lerel. Clamp one of the
:ct a eraduation near the
clamped, plunge the tele-
,is depends on the direction tZo'_+ _ /oo' +/Oo
and is immaterial so far as DA c B
re motion and revolve the (c)
B. Clamp the motion and Two-PegMe/hod
:ment is made by slightly
Frc. 22. Adjustment of instruments.
of the cross hair ring and
of the distance between C Standards. To adjust the standards, use the station ndar a building
hed br alternately loosening.
6Fig- Zzi). Set up tire transit and_sight point ,4. Depress.ihe.telescope
: sc..i* s and recheck. Lac[ l,
.ni..ad point,A on the scale. Plunge-the teles99P., sight depress
,\' repeating the horizontal and read b on the scale. Adjustment is one-half the distance from ^B
ous that only even-number to c. It is made by raising or lowering th. uaj"-:t?Ple end of the
horizontal axis. Repiat until? and C coincide and fall directly below ,{.
22 Adjustment of Instruments Adjustment of Insrnn't
Lack of- adjustment in the standards is also compensated for by the two stations. Ca.:
rep.eating the angle and inverting the telescope between repetitions. similarly on A. Thrs
After adjusting the standards, check the vertical line ofioltimation. and B. Now' mo\ e I
Thesg two adjustments must be alternately repeated if one is altered. (in this case l). The:
T9le19ope Leuel. To make the axis of the telescope bubble parallel than one inch frorr t.lr
to the line of sight, use the two-peg method, with the 100-ft. staiions in almost against the roi
lhe adjusting yard. Set up the telescope halfway between A and B may be accomplishC
(at c in Fig. 22c) and carefully level. Sigtrt and iead on a rod at A, reading at A. plus the I
using the telescopg level for leveling. R{eat on ,B but relevel, using at B. The horizontd
the telescope level. The difference between the rod readings wifl bE and the telescope iere
the true difference in elevation between the stakes. Now sel up tele- until the bubble i-. cea
scope at D, on line with A and.B, a distance from, say A, of an even Referrine to Fis. t'.
multiple of AC (for convenience only). Level the telescope carefully 4.287.
and read the near rod (r4). If the telescope level is in adjustment, the From the predous exary,k
rod reading from D plus or minus the true difference in elevation
should equal the reading at .B from station D. But the reading at B True cifrea=
Readir_e a: c'i€
from D is not equal to this amount. By similar triangles the eiror is
found and applied to the ,B reading from D. The following calculations True rca:::g a
explain Fig.22c.
Acua- :ee-- -g
C
Rod.B from 4.Zlg
RodlfromC 3.g54 Error
True difference in elevation between B and A . O.lU
RodlfromD 4314
Add true difference in elevation 0.364

If in adjustment, ,B would be
^Srf
But rod,B from D is 4.953

Difference from true reading o.275

By similar triangles:
20:x::200:0.275,
* :o'27!j 20
200
:0.0275,the correc tion at A.
Rod ,B should read:
4.953 - 0.275 - O.O275 : 4.651.
The adjustment is made by setting the horizontal cross hair on 4.651
and adjusting the level tube until the bubble is centered. If the line of
sight had been below the computed reading, the corrections would be
added.
A modification of the two-peg method preferred by some engineers
is as follows. The transit is set up as beforefmidway (by taping) between
Adj us t ment of Ins t ruments
also compensated for by
pe between repetitions.
ertical line of collimation.
epeated if one is altered.
telescope bubble parallel
rith the 100-ft. stations in
ralf*'a1' between A and B
I and read on a rod at A,
at on B but relevel, using
the rod readings will be
stakes. Now set up tele-
r from, say A, of an even
vel the telescope carefully
level is in adjustment, the
ue difference in elevation
D. But the reading at B
nilar triangles the error is
The following calculations
. 4.2t8
. 3.8s4
and .-t 0364
. 4.3t4
. 0.364
. 4.6n
. 4.953
"r^
rection at A-
4.651.
izontal cross hair on 4.651
: is centered. If the line of
, the corrections would be
cferred by some engineers
rid*'ar' (by taping) between
Adjustment of Instruments 23
the two stations. Carefully level on .B with the telesgoPe- level and
similarly on A. This gives the true difference in elevation between A
and B.- Now move tf,e transit to the station with-highest elevation
(in this case .,{). The transit is moved close to A so that the rod is less
ihun one inch from the eyepiece. Level the telescope with the eyePiece
almost against the rod urd estimate the-rod reading. (Illt
may be lccomplished by lookirg ihto,rgh the objective end.) Tlis
"arefully
,.uiirg at A,pfus the tru6 differen-ce in e1&ation,-gives the true reading
at B. ]fn" horizontal cross hair is sighted on the true reading at B,
and the telescope level is raised or lowered with the adjusting screw
until the bubble is centered.
Referring to Fig. 22c, we see that rod A opposite the eyepiece reads
4.287.
From the preoious examPle,
True difference in elevation 0.364
Reading at eyepiece for A . 4.287
True reading at B 4.651
Actual reading on .B from z{ with telescope level 4.926
Error .
0.275
Therefore, the telescope level must be adjusted.
Index Error. This adjustment makes the vernier on the vertical
circle or arc read ,..o *ir"n the telescope level is in adjustment. First,
level the transit by the plate levels; next, center the teles"oPg. 19v91
bubble. Slightly ioor.n^ the screws holding. the vernier and lightly
tap the ,..rrlt until it is adjusted. - Upon retightening the screws, test
the freedom of movement f6r the circli against the vernier'
To make adjustments on an optical traniit, follow the manufacturer's
instruction booklet.
Levels. Of the three types of levels, one, the self-leveling instrument,
will not be dealt with, ri.r". the adjustments are delicate and best done
at the factory; in an emergency, ttie manufacturer's instructions should
be consulted. The remaiiing two are the wye level and the dumpy
two adjust-
'"'*r, Leuel.The cross hairs in a wye level Tay-lequire instrument,
*.rr[r. First, test the horizontal haii. After leveling the
sight a poini and turn the level about its vertical axis. If the cross
hiir faili to stay on the point, loosen the reticle and tap it slightly to
bring the hair horizontal.^This is a permanent adjustment. Atemporary
adjultment is achieved by rotatirrg tt. telescope in the Yyts' Second,
test the intersection of the vertical and horizontal cross hairs for
exact
24 Adjustment of Instruments Adjustment of Instrunt
position in the axis of the collars. Unlock the wyes and sight the elevation, find the trur
intersection of the hairs on a point. If the intersection moves off the moving the cross hair
poin-t wlren the telescope is rotated in the wyes, move the cross hair ring
one-half the distance. Make both vertical and horizontal adjustments.
Lere" a
After adjusting the cross hairs, test the level tube. Again there are Rd. ra
two adjustments. First, test the bubble tube to determine if its axis is Rx, ra
in the same plane as the Iine of sight. After centering the bubble,
rotate the telescope a few degrees in the wyes. If the bubble fails to DiFerq
stay centered, move the lateral-motion screws on one end of the tube.
Lcrei a'
Finally, see that the bubble tube axis and the line of sight are parallel. Roc ra
This is the same adjustment made on the transit by the two-peg method. Roj rcz
But with the wye level the telescope can be reversed in the wyes; this
simplifies the adjustment. Unlock the wyes, clamp the instrument, Difrac
and center the bubble in the tube. Then, very carefully, lift the telescope
from the wyes, turn it end-for-end, and gently return it to the wyes. lr{ean c,

If the bubble fails to return to the center, take up one-half of the distance
at the adjustable end of the tube. Rx, ra
The final adjustment is the wyes. Lock the stirrups in place and turn Corra:
the telescope over a pair of leveling screws. Bring the bubble to the
center of the tube; now turn the telescope 180" about the vertical axis. Ro: rei

If the bubble moves off center, bring it halfway back by adjusting one Ad-l:s:
of the wye supports.
Dumpy Leuel. Test and adjust the cross hairs in the dumpy level in Alidade. Alidades ,r

the same way as the transit and wye level by rotating the reticle. proceed 25 fe[]o\A's :
See if the bubble tube axis is perpendicular to the vertical axis by Cross Hairs. S* t'
centering the bubble over a pair of leveling screws and turning the ihe transit.
level 180' about the vertical axis. If the bubble moves off center, it is See if the intersrr
brought halfway back by adjusting the end of the level tube. the alidade collars. a
To make the line of sight parallel to the axis of the bubble, use the alidade telescope sr:13
two-peg method. This is very similar to the second method given for u'hich must be looscit
adjusting the transit level tube. See Fig. 22c. The two points A and B Striding Let'el. Pia;
are at least 200 ft. apart. Set the level with the eyepiece almost against the bubble u'ith rh: -
the rod at A and read the rod through the objective end of the telescope. oubble moves of cc:
This may be done by sighting a pencil on the rod. or estimate the tangent Scre\\. \clr t
center of the eyepiece for reading the rod. Now point to B, center end of the lerel :ur€.
^
the bubble, ara record the roJ reading. The difference between l'err,ier Cont ro"' tr-e:
readings at A and B is the difference in elevation including the plus or the vernier reads -1,i' r

minus adjustment error. Next, take the level to B and repeat the the striding ler ei ;url
procedure. From ,B the result is also the difference in elevation ier el bubble rr ith [i,. ca
minus or plus the error of adjustment. The mean of the two differences Se i-f-lnde.rirg .-{';,:;

in elevation is the true difference in elevation between points A and B. iaclu rer's i nstra;:,- ri
Knowing the height of the instrument at ^B (because it is the last station
occupied; ,4 would have done just as well) and the true difference in
Adjus t ment of Ins trument s Adjustment of Instruments 25

r the and sight the

\^ryes elevation, find the true reading for A and adjust the cross hair to it by
intersection moves off the moving the cross hair ring. Curvature effect is disregarded.
s, move the cross hair ring Example
d horizontal adjustments. Level at A:
rcl tube. Again there are Rod reading on A . 4.429
: to determine if its axis is Rod reading on B . 4.847
ter centering the bubble, .
,es. If the bubble fails to Difference in elevation of A and ,B 0.418

E on one end of the tube. Level at B:

re line of sight are parallel. Rod reading on ^B
. 4.666
sit bv the two-peg method. Rod reading on z{ . 4.3s4
reversed in the wyes; this
:s, ciamp the instrument, Difference in elevation, of A and .B - 0.312

carefully, lift the telescope o'418 0'312

rtly return it to the wyes. Mean of differences : f : 0.365.
/.
up one-half of the distance
Rod reading on ,B . 4.666
: stirrups in place and turn Correction to A . . 0.365
. Brine the bubble to the
Rod readingat A . 4.301
EO" about the vertical axis.
rav back by adjusting one Adjust cross hair to 4.301.

rairs in the dumpy level in
r rotaling the reticle.
Jar to the vertical axis by
rg scre\Ys and turning the
bble moves off center, it is
rf the level tube.
rxis of the bubble, use the
: second method given for
:. The trvo points A and B
te evepiece almost against
iectire end of the telescope.
the rod. Or estimate the
Nou' point to B, center
The difference between
ation including the plus or
evel to ^B and repeat the
€ difference in elevation
nean ol the two differences
n betn'een points A and B.
)ecause it is the last station
and the true difference in
Alidade. Alidades will not ordinarily need adjustment. If they do,
proceed as follows:
Cross Hairs, See if the cross hair is vertiOal in the same way as for
the transit.
See if the intersection of the cross h'airs coincides with the axis of
the alidade collars, as in the same adjustment to the wye level. An
alidade telescope generally has a telescope clamp on the objective end,
which must be loosened by turning the knurled riqg.
Striding Leuel. Place the striding level on the telescope and center
the bubble with the tangent screw. Carefully reverse the level; if the
bubble moves off center, move the bubble halfway back with the
tangent screw. Now center the bubble with the adjusting nuts on one
end-of the level tube.
Vernier Control l*uel. The vernier level bubble should center when
the vernier reads 30' (this is generally zelo for an alidade vernier) and
the striding level bubble is centered. Adjust by cente{ng the vernier
level bubbli with the capstan screw or nuts, depending on the instrument.
Self-Indexing Alidade. To adjust this instrument, see the manu-
facturer's instructions.