1. TOTAL STATION SET UP PROCEDURE
SETTING OUT
TOTAL STATION
SET UP PROCEDURE

2. Temporary Adjustment
Set up tripod approximately over observation station
Ensure tripod head is approx. level
Fix Total Station to tripod head ensuring instrument is central on tripod head.
Attach battery (and switch if required for setting up)
Use plumb-bob / laser plummet to help centre vertical axis over Station by moving the whole tripod/instrument assembly – ensure tripod head remains level. On sloping ground adjust length of tripod leg to ensure tripod head is level. Press equally on each tripod leg spur to stabilise tripod in ground
Extend /contract tripod legs to centre vertical axis over station. Vertical axis should be within 5mm of centre of station.

3. Temporary Adjustment
Use thumbscrews to level instrument – observe pond level.
Check vertical axis is still within 5mm of station. If not extend/contract legs to centre vertical axis over station and repeat levelling operation.
Use further levelling sensors to exactly level instrument.
Digital – adjustment of level as normal i.e. No need to rotate instrument.

4. Temporary Adjustment
Fish plate level needs to be set parallel with two thumbscrew axis, adjusted, then rotated through 90 and adjusted using third thumbscrew on it’s own.
Return to original pair of thumbscrews and check if out of level, adjust if necessary.
This process needs to be repeated until the instrument is level in all orientations. Turning the instrument through exactly 90 will speed up this operation.

5. Temporary Adjustment
Check the vertical axis is exactly centred over station using the optical plummet / laser plummet.
If not centred undo holding bolt and move the whole instrument forward/backward and left/right until centred.
Check instrument has not moved out of level. Adjust level if necessary by repeating levelling operation using digital levelling sensors / fish plate level.
Adjust telescope to eliminate parallax.
Index vertical axis (if necessary) by turning telescope through vertical circle.