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Overview
The David White LT6-900 Meridian Transit-Level 10ths Package (Model 44-D8834-1T) delivers professional-grade leveling and angle measurement capabilities for contractors, municipalities, and construction professionals who require metric-compatible decimal measurement systems. This complete surveying solution combines the proven LT6-900 transit-level with a 13-foot measuring rod graduated in decimal tenths, providing everything needed for elevation surveys, site layout, and grade verification work. Built with David White's renowned optical precision and housed in rugged aluminum construction, this transit-level offers 20x magnification with a 42mm objective lens for clear target acquisition at distances up to 200 feet. The package includes a lightweight aluminum tripod with quick-clamp legs and a protective hard case, making it ideal for municipal public works departments, landscaping contractors, foundation specialists, and drainage engineers who need reliable leveling equipment that transitions seamlessly between imperial and decimal measurement protocols.
Key Specifications
- Magnification: 20x optical power
- Objective Lens: 42mm diameter for optimal light gathering
- Telescope Length: 8.5 inches with internal focusing
- Horizontal Circle: 360-degree graduated circle with vernier scale reading to 10 minutes
- Vertical Arc: ±45-degree graduated arc with angle measurement capability
- Level Vial Sensitivity: 8 minutes per 2mm division for precise leveling
- Stadia Ratio: 100:1 for distance calculation
- Minimum Focus Distance: 6.5 feet
- Instrument Weight: 4.2 lbs (transit-level body)
- Tripod Height Range: 37 to 62 inches with adjustable legs
- Rod Graduations: Decimal tenths markings with high-contrast graphics
- Operating Temperature Range: -4°F to 122°F (-20°C to 50°C)
What's in the Kit
- David White LT6-900 Meridian Transit-Level with 20x magnification telescope
- 13-foot aluminum measuring rod graduated in decimal tenths (0.01 ft increments)
- Lightweight aluminum tripod with quick-clamp leg locks and adjustable height
- Heavy-duty protective hard case with custom foam insert for instrument
- Plumb bob with string for instrument centering over survey points
- Dust caps for objective and eyepiece lens protection
- Adjustment tools including hex keys for calibration maintenance
- Operator's manual with setup instructions and care guidelines
- Shoulder strap for convenient rod transport
Job Applications
- Foundation Layout and Elevation Control: Establish precise benchmark elevations and verify foundation depths with decimal accuracy, eliminating conversion errors when working from civil engineering plans that specify elevations in decimal feet format commonly used in municipal infrastructure projects.
- Storm Water Management and Drainage Design: Calculate precise slope percentages for drainage swales, parking lots, and retention basins where tenths-graduated rods provide direct decimal readings that match engineering specifications without manual conversion from fractional measurements.
- Site Grading and Earthwork Verification: Monitor cut-and-fill operations with quick elevation checks across large sites, allowing operators to verify grade compliance efficiently when working with site plans that specify elevations in decimal notation rather than feet-and-inches format.
- Municipal Street and Sidewalk Construction: Ensure proper cross-slopes and longitudinal grades for ADA-compliant sidewalks and roadway surfaces where municipalities specify tolerances in decimal percentages, making tenths-graduated rods essential for compliance verification.
- Utility Line Installation and Trenching: Maintain proper gravity flow gradients for sewer and storm drain installations where pipe inverts are specified in decimal elevations, allowing direct comparison between field measurements and plan documents without conversion calculations.
- Agricultural Land Leveling and Irrigation: Design and implement precision agricultural grading for flood irrigation systems where subtle elevation changes of 0.1 feet significantly impact water distribution across fields, requiring the decimal precision this package provides.
Compatible Accessories
- David White 7550 Fiberglass Extension Rod (25-foot): Extended-reach measuring rod for deep excavation work and tall structure elevation checks
- GeoMax Heavy-Duty Wooden Tripod: Upgraded hardwood tripod with superior stability for windy conditions or uneven terrain
- Seco Thumb Release Bipod Rod Clamp: Hands-free rod holding system for one-person surveying operations
- Replacement Sunshade for 42mm Objective Lens: Reduces glare and improves target visibility in bright outdoor conditions
- Transit-Level Maintenance Kit: Includes lens cleaning solution, microfiber cloths, and lubricant for field maintenance
- Magnetic Laser Detector/Receiver: Attaches to rod for use with laser levels in bright ambient light conditions
- Prism Pole Adapter Bracket: Enables use of prism targets for total station measurements using the same tripod setup
Related Guides
- Complete Buyer's Guide: Choosing Between Optical Levels, Transit-Levels, and Laser Levels
- Understanding Leveling Rod Graduation Systems: Tenths, Eighths, and Metric Comparisons
- How to Set Up and Calibrate Your Transit-Level for Maximum Accuracy
- Site Grading Fundamentals: Performing Elevation Surveys for Construction Projects
FAQ
- What's the difference between a transit-level and a standard automatic level?
- A transit-level like the LT6-900 measures both horizontal and vertical angles in addition to level lines of sight, making it versatile for layout work, angle measurement, and plumb line projection. Standard automatic levels only establish horizontal planes for elevation measurement. The transit-level's ability to turn precise horizontal angles makes it ideal for setting building corners, establishing property lines, and transferring alignment points—tasks that automatic levels cannot perform.
- Why choose a tenths-graduated rod instead of a standard fractional rod?
- Tenths-graduated rods display measurements in decimal format (0.1 ft increments) rather than feet-inches-fractions, eliminating conversion calculations when working from civil engineering plans, municipal specifications, or CAD drawings that specify elevations in decimal feet. This reduces transcription errors and speeds up fieldwork since readings can be recorded directly as shown without mental math or conversion charts. Decimal rods are particularly valuable for grading work where slope calculations require decimal inputs.
- Can this transit-level be used for measuring distances as well as elevations?
- Yes, the LT6-900 features stadia crosshairs with a 100:1 ratio that enables distance measurement when used with the included rod. By reading the interval between the upper and lower stadia hairs and multiplying by 100, you can calculate horizontal distances with reasonable accuracy for layout work. While not as precise as electronic distance measurement, stadia provides sufficient accuracy for many construction applications and requires no batteries or additional equipment.
- How often does this instrument need professional calibration?
- Under normal construction site conditions, the LT6-900 should be checked for calibration every 6-12 months or after any significant impact or rough handling. You can perform basic two-peg test calibration checks in-house following the manual's instructions. Professional calibration is recommended annually for contractors doing precision work or when the instrument consistently fails field calibration tests. The rugged construction and quality optics of the Meridian series typically maintain accuracy well with proper care and storage in the provided hard case.
