Caring for your land surveying equipment can be an arduous task, but keeping a regular maintenance schedule can make the process simple, and over time, even enjoyable from a methodical perspective. Although, it can be difficult to start a proper maintenance schedule if you don’t know what to look for, and so today, we are hoping to give some helpful tips and ideas to get you properly maintaining your land surveying equipment.
As you read through this article, it is worthwhile to consider formulating a list of required maintenance items so that when it comes time to prepare a schedule you will have a good foundation of ideas to build your maintenance schedule.
Consistent survey equipment maintenance helps preserve the accuracy and reliability of your instruments while extending their overall lifespan. Even small amounts of dust, moisture, vibration, or rough handling can affect sensitive components over time, resulting in measurement errors or unnecessary wear.
Routine land surveying equipment maintenance also reduces the likelihood of unexpected repairs and costly downtime. By identifying minor issues before they become major problems, you can keep projects moving without delays while protecting your investment in professional equipment. Whether you use total stations, GNSS receivers, levels, or other surveying instruments, regular maintenance helps ensure dependable performance every time you head into the field.
The best place to start your maintenance planning is the instructions and warranty information provided with your land surveying device. Every piece of land surveying equipment will require different maintenance items, and the manufacturer will know and provide the correct information for your unique device.
Typically, however, you should pay attention to any moving components or legs used with your device. As well, you should handle it with extra care due to its sensitive internal components, and keep it cleaned. It is commonly accepted that a great place to keep a lint-free (ideally microfibre) cloth is inside the carrying case provided with your land surveying equipment. This case should be utilized at all times that you are not using the equipment, as it will help ensure the device is not lost or damaged during transit.
A consistent daily routine helps prevent avoidable damage and keeps your equipment ready for accurate measurements. Before and after each job, consider the following checklist:
Proper cleaning and storage are two separate parts of a good maintenance routine. Cleaning removes the dirt and moisture that can affect sensitive components, while proper storage protects equipment between jobs and during longer periods of inactivity.
Use a soft brush or microfiber cloth to remove dust and debris from the instrument housing. For lenses and optical components, only use cleaning products and cloths recommended by the manufacturer to avoid scratching sensitive surfaces.
A dedicated survey equipment cleaning kit should contain the appropriate soft, lint-free materials and manufacturer-approved products for the instruments you use.
Before putting equipment away, follow these basic cleaning steps:
When transporting equipment between job sites, always use the protective carrying case supplied with the instrument. Keeping equipment securely stored reduces the risk of impacts that could affect calibration.
Whenever possible, avoid leaving surveying equipment in vehicles or environments exposed to excessive heat, freezing temperatures, moisture, or heavy dust for extended periods.
For regular storage, choose a cool, dry, stable environment and avoid large temperature swings that can contribute to condensation. Humidity should be kept low enough to prevent moisture and condensation, particularly around optical surfaces, connectors, and battery compartments.
A storage temperature around 0°C to 30°C (32°F to 86°F) in a dry environment is recommended for lithium-ion batteries, while the instrument itself should always be stored within the temperature limits specified by its manufacturer. Because storage requirements can vary between models, the manufacturer’s specifications should take priority.
Avoid moving cold equipment directly into a warm, humid environment. Allowing equipment to adjust gradually to the surrounding temperature can help reduce the risk of condensation forming inside or around sensitive components.
Lithium-ion batteries require particular attention during long-term storage. Avoid storing them either fully charged or fully depleted. Instead, store them at a partial charge according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.
For off-season battery storage:
For example, Leica guidance recommends approximately 40% to 50% charge for long-term battery storage, while Trimble specifies no more than 60% to 70% for certain battery packs.
Different instruments have different maintenance priorities. Use the table below as a quick reference, but always confirm specific cleaning and calibration requirements with the manufacturer.
|
Equipment Type |
Cleaning Frequency |
Storage Consideration |
Calibration Interval |
|
GNSS receivers |
After field use, particularly after exposure to dust or moisture |
Store dry in a protective case; protect ports and batteries from moisture and temperature extremes |
Follow manufacturer guidance; periodic verification against known points is recommended |
|
Total stations |
After field use and whenever exposed to dust or moisture |
Store in the protective carrying case in a safe, dry environment; avoid temperature extremes and condensation |
Typically periodic professional calibration; annual service is commonly recommended, with additional checks after impacts or extended storage |
|
Levels |
Regularly and after exposure to dirt or moisture |
Keep dry and protected from impacts in the manufacturer’s case |
Follow manufacturer-recommended calibration and field-check intervals |
|
Data collectors |
Regularly, especially after dusty or wet fieldwork |
Store in a protective case away from excessive heat, cold, and moisture |
Follow manufacturer guidance; check after repairs or other events that could affect accuracy |
For GNSS receivers, regular checks against known points are useful for identifying equipment or configuration issues before production work. Total stations may require professional calibration to address alignment, collimation, and distance-measurement accuracy.
Some land surveying equipment should be properly calibrated at routine intervals, which means regular visits to certified professionals are not unlikely. A professional inspection is also a useful opportunity to get feedback on the condition of your equipment and identify issues that may not be obvious during routine maintenance.
Ask the technician to check:
In addition to scheduled calibration, performing routine field checks against known reference points can help verify that your equipment is producing consistent measurements between professional service appointments.
For GNSS receivers, these checks can form part of a broader GNSS receiver maintenance routine. Total stations may require professional total station calibration to verify alignment and measurement performance. Always follow the manufacturer’s recommended calibration schedule, as servicing requirements vary depending on the instrument and how frequently it is used.
Professional survey equipment servicing is recommended when you notice:
While basic cleaning and visual inspections can be handled in-house, calibration, internal repairs, and complex servicing should always be completed by qualified technicians.
Take the time to ensure the position of your equipment is optimal. Find level ground whenever possible, and position the stand before adjoining it to the land surveying equipment, in case it’s not properly balanced on the terrain.
Furthermore, when you purchase land surveying equipment from certified professionals, they will often offer to perform the maintenance for you. This ensures your equipment is not in-transit for too long, and is still being inspected and maintained by trusted experts in the field.
Calibration frequency depends on the manufacturer’s recommendations, the type of equipment, and how often it is used. Many surveying professionals schedule professional calibration annually while also performing regular field checks throughout the year to verify accuracy.
Use a soft microfiber cloth or brush to remove dust and debris from the instrument housing. Optical components should only be cleaned using manufacturer-approved lens cleaning materials, and equipment should never be submerged in water or cleaned with harsh chemicals.
With proper survey equipment maintenance, regular calibration, careful transportation, and professional servicing, quality surveying instruments can provide reliable performance for many years.
Basic cleaning and visual inspections can be completed by the operator, but calibration, internal repairs, and other technical work should be performed by qualified service professionals to avoid compromising measurement accuracy.
Common signs include inconsistent measurements, physical damage, loose or unusually stiff components, moisture inside the instrument, or performance issues that persist after routine maintenance. Professional inspection can help identify and correct problems before they become more serious.
Store lithium-ion survey batteries at a partial charge rather than fully charged or fully depleted. Keep them in a cool, dry environment within the manufacturer’s recommended temperature range, and check them periodically during long-term storage so they can be topped up before the charge becomes too low.
Bench Mark Equipment & Supplies is your team to trust with all your surveying equipment needs. We have been providing high-quality surveying equipment to land surveyors, engineers, construction, airborne and resources professionals since 2002, establishing ourselves as the go-to team in Calgary, Canada, and the USA. We provide a wide selection of equipment, including global navigation satellite systems, RTK GPS equipment, GNSS receivers, data collector systems, and more. Speak to one of our team today, by calling us on 888-286-3204 or emailing us at [email protected].
