Lasers for Earthmovers — Cut, fill, finish.
Three product groups for one trade. Grade rotating lasers set the reference plane. Machine-mounted receivers let the operator read grade from the cab. Laser automation systems take it further — driving the blade hydraulics to match the grade automatically. Pick by how hands-on you want the operator to be.
Three product groups, three jobs
Pick where you want the laser to do its work — at the staff, on the machine, or controlling the blade itself. Most earthmoving fleets run a grade laser plus one of the other two.
Grade Laser
The reference plane on a tripod. Sets datum and slope across the whole site. Read with a millimetre receiver on a staff for setting out, checking RL, marking finished surface levels.
Use when: setting out, checking levels, doing cut/fill calcs, working off a known datum.
Machine Receiver
Bolted, clamped or magnetised to the dipper arm or grade pole. The operator reads height directly from the receiver LEDs (or from the in-cab display on D models). Fewer trips out of the cab.
Use when: the operator wants live grade information while cutting or filling — bulk through to finished trim.
Laser Automation
Receiver talks to the blade hydraulics through a control box. Operator sets the cut, the system drives the blade to the laser plane automatically. Final-trim quality on every pass.
Use when: finish-trim grading, smooth pads, repetitive runs that benefit from hands-off precision.
Grade rotating lasers
Six rotating laser levels with grade — entry-level Manual Grade through to flagship Digital Dial-a-Grade. All Class 2 or Class 3 red-beam (compatible with machine receivers and automation), every model IP66 rated for outdoor work.
For machine work, stick with red-beam — green-beam lasers are not compatible with machine receivers or automation. The DGL1010GM is the most capable: 500 m radius / 1000 m diameter and Dial-a-Grade direct entry. See the full Grade Lasers page for a deeper comparison of the methods.
Machine-mounted receivers
Seven machine receivers — magnet, clamp, or both. Wired in-cab displays on the D models, wireless display on the MR825WD. Pick by how your machine mounts and how much information you want in the cab.
Laser automation systems
Single-ram (MCR900) for skid-steer blades and land planes where the whole height is one ram. Dual-ram (MCR910) for blades with two independent rams — more precise compound grade across the cutting edge.
Both kits include receiver(s), control box and cables. Most setups need an auto-electrician and a hydraulic expert to integrate cleanly. We tailor systems to your specific machine — call 1800 769 858 for a custom quote, or see the full Machine Automation page for technical detail.
Earthmoving jobs a laser pays for itself on
Where a laser earns its keep on machine work — most of these are jobs you’d otherwise do with a staff-and-mate or check repeatedly with a tape.
Bulk cut and fill
Coarse-mode receiver setting and live grade information from the cab. Move dirt to a target RL without stopping every five minutes to check with a staff.
Finished pad grade
Switch the receiver to fine mode (±3–5 mm) for the trim pass — or run automation for a smooth, hands-off finish. Every pass tracks the same laser plane.
Drainage swales & batters
Set a fall on a single grade laser, run a swale or a batter at a precise angle. Dual grade for compound batters that fall in two directions.
Road sub-grade
Hold a long, consistent grade across hundreds of metres of sub-base. Class 3 lasers (DGL1010GM) cover up to 500 m radius — one set-up for an entire access road.
Dam construction
Set a benchmark off the wall, hold the dam floor and batter to design RL with the laser plane, no string lines or repeated staff checks.
Set-out and datum transfer
Hand-held mm receiver on a staff transfers RL anywhere on site off a known peg. Solo set-out, no calling out heights to an off-sider.
The RedBack difference
Anyone can sell a grade laser. Few back it properly.
Specialist range, not filler
We sell laser levels and measurement tools — that’s it. Every product on this page is one we’ve used and chosen because it works for earthmovers, not because it fills a catalogue page.
Built to last, built to be repaired
Solid construction, built for the long term. RedBack provides in-house repair and calibration services for all RedBack lasers and most other laser brands.
Real support, real people
Call us and you’ll speak to someone who knows the products. No scripts, no call centre, no runaround — just straight answers from people who’ve worked with these tools for 25 years.
Accessories for earthmoving
Tripods and staffs for setting up the rotating laser, plus a hand-held mm receiver for ground checks alongside any machine receiver running on the equipment.
Earthmoving Laser Questions
Do I need a grade laser, a machine receiver, or both?
What’s the difference between machine receivers and laser automation?
Do machine receivers work with green-beam lasers?
Which grade laser is best for big sites?
Can I run automation on any blade?
Can I still control the blade manually with automation fitted?
Speccing a kit, or matching a receiver to a laser?
Talk to someone who’s set up hundreds of these. 25 years of laser-level experience on the other end of the phone — straight answer on the right setup for your machines and sites.
