I started using a cheap laser level to check my cutterhead pitch on the fly

We were fighting a stubborn sandbar on the Ohio River, and the old sight-line method just wasn't cutting it. I grabbed a $40 level from my truck, rigged it to the ladder, and got the angle dialed in within 5 minutes, which saved us hours of guesswork. Anyone have a better method for quick pitch checks?

3 comments

3 Comments

shane35722h ago

That's a solid fix for a tough spot. Been there with the sight-line method failing when the river just won't cooperate. Sometimes the cheap tool you have on hand is the exact right tool for the job. Getting it done fast is what matters, not how fancy the gear is. Sounds like you got the whole operation back on track without a huge fuss.

jake_wells1220h agoMost Upvoted

Totally agree about the cheap tool being the right one. I once used a zip tie and a stick to fix a sensor bracket when the proper clamp broke. It held for months until we finally ordered the part.

murray.robert18h ago

My old foreman would fire you for that zip tie fix. He ran a tight ship at the Port of Houston and insisted on proper parts every time. That temporary sensor reading could be off by a few percent, messing up the whole batch. Shane357's sight-line method might fail, but at least it's a real method, not a stick and a plastic strap.