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Articles written by: John Dappert:
Another
of Mike Frey's innovative constructions was this adaptation of a Polaris Ranger
6X6 into a survey device. 
The
rear mini-bed was removed from the stock Ranger, and a new fabricated flatbed,
with winches to raise and lower the installed Spectra Precision laser receiver
was installed. The laser receiver is identical to that found on the Wolfe
Tile plow, but instead of automatic controls to control the depth of the tile, a
read-out of elevations from a 
dash-mounted
digital console 
is
given the operator. This saves much time moving a rod and receiver by
hand, as a continuous readout can be seen as one travels across the prospective
tile field. The Frey Excavating team can set up a field quickly,
determining where mains should be located according to the grade of the
field. 
The Polaris does double duty as a personnel carrier, as people can be transported quickly from one area of a tile project to another, since the vehicle can carry three people in it's ample front seat.
Measuring wheels are also stored on the bed, so flags can be set at the proper locations showing the spacing of the tiles where the Wolfe plow will run.
The large black tube carries the rod and receiver, in case hand measurements
would be needed for some reason.
The laser sending unit 
is
also on a trailer
designed and made by Frey Excavating. It has a telescoping pole with graduated
readouts,
and can be elevated by a hand crank quickly, allowing for a quick set-up.
Since the laser sender is self-leveling,
should a wheel on the trailer shift during the day due to freeze or thaw, or
wind hitting the unit, automatic corrections are quickly made, so the grade is
secure throughout the installation without constant attention to the laser unit.
Another use for ATV's on this project was in mapping. Kincade Ag Service
did our tile mapping by driving an ATV with GPS and computer guidance
equipment. 
It not only gave us files with specific latitude and longitude
for re-locating the tile at a later date, but also measured the tile runs for
billing, since the contract called for specific fees per foot, depending upon
the size of the tile.
The mains and laterals are leveled after installation with the small Case dozer owned by the Frey tiling team. (This last link goes to the Successful Farming @gOnline Correspondents section, where an article on Tile Drainage can be found)
To see a map of a tile field made by the GPS survey equipment, click on Sample Tile Map .