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Fouss, James

Laser Beam Automatic Grade-Control System
Society: ASABE Main Category: Agricultural & Biological Sub Category: Mechanization Era: 1960s DateCreated: 1968 Agricultural Engineering Building - Ohio State University Columbus State: OH Zip: 43210 Country: USA Website: https://www.asabe.org/awards-landmarks/asabe-historic-landmarks/laser-beam-automatic-grade-control-system-48.aspx Creator: Fouss, James

The first laser grade control was developed by agricultural engineers James Fouss and Norman Fausey of USDA's Agricultural Research Service at The Ohio State University in the mid-1960's. That system controlled the precise depth and grade of subsurface drains by regulating trenching and plow-type drainage machines. Photo cells mounted on the drainage machine automatically raised and lowered the digging device, keeping the cells centered on a laser beam set to the desired elevation and grade.

YearAdded:
2007
Image Credit: Image Caption: Electronic analog computer simulation of the laser‐beam auto‐
matic grade‐control system on the plow.
Era_date_from:
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Innovations

Laser Beam Automatic Grade-Control System

The first laser grade control was developed by agricultural engineers James Fouss and Norman Fausey of USDA's Agricultural Research Service at The Ohio State University in the mid-1960's. That system controlled the precise depth and grade of subsurface drains by regulating trenching and…

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