Underground Utility Locators

[Ravenvalor]

Are there any good underground utility locators on the market that cost less than $2,000.00? I have the Ideal #62-135. Bought it about 25 - years ago and it works okay but it would be nice to upgrade to something more accurate and perhaps that has radar capabilities for non-metallic lines.

Thanks for the advice.

 

[Fred B]

I wish. GPR is going to be way more expensive. Even a "good" tracer is going to be more expensive. Was recently in the market for one, 6-7G was a "good" one that I've used in the past. GPR going to cost 15-20G.

 

[SSDriver]

In my area(CA) you call 811 for dig alert. It's required for utility locating and its free. Do they not have something similar in your area?

 

[zbang]

Often they don't or won't look for privately-owned lines, only those connected to a utility (no good for finding the lines out to the well, for instance).

 

[mtnelect]

In my area(CA) you call 811 for dig alert. It's required for utility locating and its free. Do they not have something similar in your area?

True ... In California it's the law. You have to call at least three days before you dig or install a ground rod. All the utilities are notified and each use a different color to mark their location.

 

[hillbilly1]

I use a Greenlee 501, works only on deenergized lines though. I have put it up against the much more expensive utility tracers, and it was just as accurate in finding de-energized lines.

 

[Hv&Lv]

True ... In California it's the law. You have to call at least three days before you dig or install a ground rod. All the utilities are notified and each use a different color to mark their location.

It’s the law in all 50 states.

 

[hillbilly1]

And you can’t work off another trades locate, I know of a foreman that did that, and hit a water main. Company still got the bill for the damages, even though the locate company missed the line, and because he didn’t have his own locate.

 

[readydave8]

And you can’t work off another trades locate, I know of a foreman that did that, and hit a water main. Company still got the bill for the damages, even though the locate company missed the line, and because he didn’t have his own locate.

That happened to a friend of mine