Hat tip to Practical Action for this simple device for finding and marking lines on contour. This is useful for swaling as well as the use in dead level contours described in the brief I downloaded.

To calibrate, find a level spot and mark where the string attached to the round plumb bob or weight crosses the cross piece. This now indicates level.

To use, place one leg at the starting point and swing the other leg up and down the grade until the string lines up with your calibrated center point. Then swing the first leg around the second and mark the next level point. Place stones or pegs to mark each successive leg position. Simple!

This entry was posted on Thursday, July 5th, 2007 at 6:13 pm and is filed under Sustainability, Permaculture. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.