The SitePro 11-815-T is a professional-grade 15-foot, five-section telescoping aluminum grade rod graduated in tenths of a foot — the standard unit of measure for contractors running builder's levels, rotating lasers, and total stations on commercial and residential construction sites. Lightweight enough to carry single-handed and compact enough to toss in the bed of a truck, the 11-815-T handles the daily grind of grade checks, footing elevations, slab pours, and drainage layout without slowing down your crew.
Overview & Jobsite Applications
Tenths graduation is the language of civil and construction work. When your plans call out elevations in decimal feet — 101.4, 98.7, 103.25 — a rod marked in tenths lets you read and record shots directly without converting fractions. The 11-815-T collapses to a manageable length for transport, then extends to a full 15 feet for deep-cut shots on grading or utility work. The high-contrast graduated face is easy to read through a level eyepiece or a laser receiver mounted on the rod, reducing misreads on busy jobsites.
Key Specifications
- Model: SitePro 11-815-T
- Length (extended): 15 feet
- Sections: 5-section telescoping design
- Graduation: Tenths of a foot (0.1 ft intervals)
- Material: Aluminum
- Face: High-contrast graduated markings, laser-readable
- Base: Flat base for stable placement on grade
- Compatible instruments: Builder's levels, optical levels, rotary lasers, total stations
Key Features
- Five-section telescoping design collapses for easy transport and storage
- Tenths graduation reads directly with decimal-foot plans — no conversion math
- High-contrast face reduces misreads in bright sunlight or low light
- Lightweight aluminum construction reduces arm fatigue on long setups
- Locking sections hold elevation under load for accurate rod readings
- Flat base sits stable on soil, concrete, and hard surfaces
- Compatible with standard laser detector rod clamps
Job Applications
Footing & Foundation Elevations: Set your builder's level over the benchmark and shoot rod readings at each corner to confirm footing depths are consistent before the concrete truck arrives. Tenths read directly off your plans.
Slab-on-Grade & Flatwork: Use the 11-815-T with a rotary laser to check screed elevation across a large slab pour. The laser-compatible face pairs cleanly with most detector clamps for hands-free grade checking.
Site Drainage & Grading: On cut-and-fill grading work, 15 feet of range covers most residential and light commercial elevation differences. Walk shots quickly and record tenths directly into your field book or data collector.
Utility & Pipe Slope Layout: Establish invert elevations and confirm pipe slope on storm, sewer, and irrigation installs. Decimal-foot graduation aligns with pipe slope calculations already in tenths.
Compatible Accessories
- SitePro Laser Detector Rod Clamp — secures your laser receiver at any height on the rod
- SitePro Grade Rod Carrying Case — padded protection for transport between jobsites
- SitePro Builder's Level Package — optical level kits that pair directly with this rod
- Rotary Laser Level Kits — rotating lasers compatible with tenths rod and detector combo
Related Guides
- How to Read a Grade Rod in Tenths
- Builder's Level vs. Rotary Laser: Which Tool is Right for Your Job?
- Setting Footing Elevations with an Optical Level
- Grade Rod Maintenance and Storage Tips
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the difference between a tenths rod and a 16ths rod?
- A tenths rod is graduated in decimal feet (0.1 ft increments), which matches how civil and construction elevations are expressed on plans. A 16ths rod uses fractions of an inch and is typically used in carpentry and building layout. For site grading, utility work, and anything tied to a benchmark elevation, tenths is the standard.
- Will this rod work with a rotary laser and detector?
- Yes. The 11-815-T has a flat, high-contrast face that accommodates standard laser detector rod clamps. Slide your detector onto the rod, clamp it at the desired height, and use the tenths graduation to read your elevation offset directly.
- How short does the 11-815-T collapse for transport?
- The five-section design collapses to approximately one-fifth of the extended length — roughly 3 feet — making it easy to fit in a truck bed, job box, or survey vehicle without strapping down a full-length rod.
- Is this rod accurate enough for total station work?
- For general construction layout and grade checking with a total station, yes. The 11-815-T is designed for contractor-grade accuracy on builder's levels, rotary lasers, and total stations used in construction applications. For precise geodetic survey work requiring sub-millimeter accuracy, a calibrated invar rod would be more appropriate.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a tenths rod and a 16ths rod?
A tenths rod is graduated in decimal feet (0.1 ft increments), which matches how civil and construction elevations are expressed on plans. A 16ths rod uses fractions of an inch and is typically used in carpentry and building layout. For site grading, utility work, and anything tied to a benchmark elevation, tenths is the standard.
Will this rod work with a rotary laser and detector?
Yes. The SitePro 11-815-T has a flat, high-contrast face that accommodates standard laser detector rod clamps. Slide your detector onto the rod, clamp it at the desired height, and use the tenths graduation to read your elevation offset directly.
How short does the 11-815-T collapse for transport?
The five-section design collapses to approximately one-fifth of the extended length — roughly 3 feet — making it easy to fit in a truck bed, job box, or survey vehicle without strapping down a full-length rod.
Is this rod accurate enough for total station work?
For general construction layout and grade checking with a total station, yes. The 11-815-T is designed for contractor-grade accuracy on builder's levels, rotary lasers, and total stations used in construction applications. For precise geodetic survey work requiring sub-millimeter accuracy, a calibrated invar rod would be more appropriate.
