Built for the Machine, Built for the Cut
The Spectra Precision CR700 is a professional-grade machine control receiver engineered specifically for active earthmoving operations. Designed to mount directly to excavator booms, dozer blades, motor grader moldboards, and scraper cutting edges, the CR700 delivers continuous, real-time grade detection so operators can maintain precise elevation control throughout every pass — without stopping to check grades manually. If your crew is moving dirt at production speed, the CR700 is the tool that keeps them on grade from first cut to finish.
Overview & Jobsite Applications
Unlike handheld or grade rod receivers built for manual checking, the CR700 is purpose-built for machine-mount use in demanding construction environments. It integrates with rotating laser systems to provide visible and audible on-grade, above-grade, and below-grade signals directly to the operator's cab display or in-cab indicator. The result is fewer passes, tighter tolerances, and reduced rework on grading, site prep, utility trenching, and finish grade operations. The CR700 is equally at home on a 50,000-pound dozer on a highway embankment or a compact excavator digging a detention pond.
Key Specifications
- Receiver Type: Machine-mount laser receiver for rotating laser systems
- Detection Range: Up to 2,000 ft (610 m) diameter from transmitter
- Accuracy: ±1.5 mm grade detection sensitivity
- Display: High-visibility LED indicator bar with above/on/below grade indication
- Signal Output: Compatible with in-cab remote displays and grade indicators
- Power: 12–24V DC machine power input
- Operating Temperature: -20°C to +60°C (-4°F to +140°F)
- Protection Rating: Sealed housing rated for heavy equipment vibration and wash-down environments
- Mounting: Universal machine-mount bracket system included
Key Features
- Wide-band laser detection window captures laser beam through dust, light rain, and heat shimmer
- Audible and visual on-grade signals for eyes-on-the-work operation
- High-contrast LED display readable in direct sunlight from operator's seat
- Robust die-cast housing withstands heavy equipment vibration and impact
- Quick-release mount for fast transfer between machines on the jobsite
- Compatible with Spectra Precision rotating laser transmitters and third-party laser systems
- Remote display output for in-cab grade indication without cab exit
Job Applications
Site Grading & Pad Preparation: Mount the CR700 to a motor grader blade or dozer push frame to maintain consistent subgrade elevation across large commercial or residential pads. Eliminate rolling with a story pole between passes.
Excavation & Trenching: Attach to an excavator stick or boom bracket for depth-controlled trenching on utility, drainage, or footing excavation — keeping cuts on grade without constant hand-level verification.
Road Base & Embankment Work: Use with a rotating laser and grade rod system on highway and subdivision road construction to hold tight tolerances on base course elevation across long runs of cut-and-fill.
Pond & Detention Basin Shaping: Maintain consistent bottom elevation and side slope grades on retention pond excavation, where over-digging means wasted haul cycles and rework costs.
Compatible Accessories
- Spectra Precision HV302 Rotating Laser Transmitter
- Spectra Precision HL760 In-Cab Remote Display
- Universal Machine Mast & Bracket Kit
- Spectra Precision CR700 Replacement Mount Assembly
- Protective Receiver Cover for CR700
Related Guides
- How to Set Up a Machine Control Laser System for Dozer Grading
- Choosing the Right Machine Receiver for Your Equipment
- Rotating Laser vs. GPS Machine Control: Which Do You Need?
- Spectra Precision Receiver Compatibility Chart
Frequently Asked Questions
- What laser transmitters are compatible with the Spectra CR700?
- The CR700 is designed for use with Spectra Precision rotating laser transmitters including the HV302, HV402, and GL422N series, and is also compatible with most industry-standard 635nm rotating laser systems. Contact Express Tools for a full compatibility list specific to your transmitter model.
- Can the CR700 be used on multiple machines?
- Yes. The CR700 ships with a quick-release universal machine-mount bracket that allows the receiver to be transferred between excavators, dozers, and graders quickly. Additional mount kits are available so you can dedicate one receiver to each machine and swap as needed.
- Does the CR700 require an in-cab display to operate?
- No. The CR700 has its own high-visibility LED indicator bar and audible alarm that operators can read from the seat on most machines. However, for larger cab environments or when the receiver is mounted in a position with limited sightlines, the optional HL760 in-cab remote display provides a clear dashboard-mounted readout.
- Is the CR700 suitable for use in rainy or dusty conditions?
- Yes. The CR700 features a sealed, ruggedized housing rated for heavy equipment wash-down environments and extended outdoor use. Its wide-band detection window is designed to maintain laser signal acquisition through light rain, airborne dust, and atmospheric heat shimmer common on active earthmoving sites.
Frequently Asked Questions
What laser transmitters are compatible with the Spectra CR700?
The CR700 is designed for use with Spectra Precision rotating laser transmitters including the HV302, HV402, and GL422N series, and is also compatible with most industry-standard 635nm rotating laser systems. Contact Express Tools for a full compatibility list specific to your transmitter model.
Can the CR700 be used on multiple machines?
Yes. The CR700 ships with a quick-release universal machine-mount bracket that allows the receiver to be transferred between excavators, dozers, and graders quickly. Additional mount kits are available so you can dedicate one receiver to each machine and swap as needed.
Does the CR700 require an in-cab display to operate?
No. The CR700 has its own high-visibility LED indicator bar and audible alarm that operators can read from the seat on most machines. However, for larger cab environments or when the receiver is mounted in a position with limited sightlines, the optional HL760 in-cab remote display provides a clear dashboard-mounted readout.
Is the CR700 suitable for use in rainy or dusty conditions?
Yes. The CR700 features a sealed, ruggedized housing rated for heavy equipment wash-down environments and extended outdoor use. Its wide-band detection window is designed to maintain laser signal acquisition through light rain, airborne dust, and atmospheric heat shimmer common on active earthmoving sites.