CHAPTER 6 CARE AND ADJUSTMENT OF SURVEYING EQUIPMENT To a great extent, the accuracy and quality of your surveys will depend upon how well you take care of your surveying equipment; therefore, the first part of this chapter  reviews  the  proper  instrument  handling, stowing,  and  maintenance  practices  that  you  studied  in the EA3 TRAMAN. While to some readers this review may seem redundant, taking care of your equipment properly  cannot  be  overemphasized. In  this  chapter  we  also  discuss  instrument adjustment and repair. As used in this chapter, the term adjustment means bringing the various fixed parts of an instrument into proper relationship with one another. It is different from the ordinary operations of leveling the instrument,  aligning  the  telescope,  and  so  forth. CARE OF INSTRUMENTS As you know, every instrument is accompanied by a  user’s  manual  that  tells  you  not  only  the  proper operation and components of the instrument but also its proper  care  and  maintenance.  Study  this  user’s  manual thoroughly  before  you  even  attempt  to  use  the instrument.  Some  suggestions  for  the  care  and maintenance  of  surveying  equipment  are  discussed  in the  following  paragraphs. HANDLING, CARRYING, AND STOWING Always  exercise  care  in  handling  instruments,  such as the transit, level, theodolite, or plane table. When removing an instrument from its carrying case, NEVER grasp the telescope. Wrenching the telescope in this manner could damage a number of delicate parts. When you set up an instrument, make sure that it is securely fastened  to  the  tripod  head.  In  tightening  the  various clamp screws, leveling screws, and adjustment screws, bring them only to a firm bearing. Overtightening these screws may strip the threads, twist off the screw, bend the connecting part, or place undue stresses in the instrument.  NEVER  leave  an  instrument  unattended while it is set upon a street, near construction work or in any other place where it can be damaged. When you carry an instrument mounted on a tripod, place the instrument and tripod on one shoulder with the tripod legs pointing forward and held together by your hand and forearm. If you are walking along a sidehill, you should always carry the instrument on the downhill shoulder. This leaves the uphill arm and hand free to catch  yourself  should  you  trip  or  stumble.  Before climbing  over  a  fence,  you  should  first  place  the instrument on the other side with the tripod legs well spread. Also, when carrying an instrument, you should ensure that all clamp screws are only lightly clamped so that the parts will move if the instrument is struck. Avoid carrying  the  instrument  on  your  shoulder  through doorways or beneath low-hanging branches; instead, you should carry it under your arm with the head of the instrument to the front. Every  transit,  theodolite,  or  level  comes  equipped with a carrying box or case. The instrument and its accessories can be stowed in the case in a manner that ensures  a  minimum  of  motion  during  transportation. The  instrument  should  ALWAYS  be  stowed  in  the carrying case when it is not in use. Bags are provided for carrying stakes and hubs. These are usually canvas bags equipped with a shoulder strap  and  closely  resemble  a  newsboy’s  bag.  A newsboy’s bag, in fact, makes an excellent carrying bag for stakes and hubs. So does a Navy seabag, equipped with  a  shoulder  strap. Various types of leather or canvas bags and sheaths, such as chaining-pin quivers, plumb-bob sheaths, and sheaths for Abney and Locke levels, are provided for various  items  of  equipment.  Most  of  these  can  be attached to the belt. Leather pouches, also usually attachable to the belt, are available for carrying small tools, marking equipment, turning-point pins, and the like. In time you will learn various conveniences, such as carrying your supply of surveyor’s tacks stuck in a rubber ball or in a piece of softwood attached to your belt. CLEANING  AND  LUBRICATION All surveying instruments, equipment, or tools must be  thoroughly  cleaned  immediately  after  you  have  used them; for example, after each use, you must dust off the transit or theodolite and wipe it dry before placing it back in its case. Remove all dust with a soft brush before wiping dirty components with a clean cloth. When the 6-1