FIELD GUIDE

From a reading to a record.

Start a job

Enter a name and date in the workspace. Add the location and your name so they appear on the report. Changes are saved in this browser when you leave a job-detail field or record an observation. Check the save message in the sidebar.

Use Try an example job to explore with clearly labeled synthetic data. It creates a separate job.

Record a grade check

Enter the benchmark elevation and backsight in feet.
Enter the foresight reading. Add a target elevation if you want a cut/fill result.
Set the allowable tolerance for your work, then calculate.
Review the result and warnings. Select Add observation to put it in the job.

Worked example

Benchmark 100.00 ft + backsight 5.25 ft = height of instrument 105.25 ft. Subtract a foresight of 4.75 ft to get elevation 100.50 ft. Against a target of 100.25 ft, the difference is +0.25 ft: cut 0.25 ft.

PASS means the absolute difference is within your tolerance. It does not mean an external standard or contract has been checked. No target means the elevation is logged without a cut/fill decision.

Edit a recorded point, recalculate and update it to correct a reading. Duplicate point names are blocked. Undo last change restores the last observation or estimate change in the current session.

Estimate a rectangular excavation or trench

Bank cubic yards = length × width × depth in feet ÷ 27. Loose volume multiplies bank volume by your swell factor. Estimated short tons multiply loose volume by loose density. Volume-based loads round loose volume ÷ truck capacity up to a whole load.

The included factors are examples. Use your material assumptions. A short ton is 2,000 lb. Vehicle payload limits, partial loads, compaction, irregular geometry and site conditions can change the result; the current calculator does not model them.

Keep and share your work

Print / save PDF: opens your device’s print dialog. Choose a PDF destination if available.
CSV: includes recorded readings, targets and notes for spreadsheets. Negative numeric differences remain numeric.
Download backup: saves one complete job as JSON, including readings and the saved estimate.
Restore backup: validates and opens the backup as a separate job. Existing jobs are kept.

Where your data lives

Job records and aggregate usage counts stay in local browser storage. There is no account-based job synchronization or server-side job backup in this release. A different browser, device or website address has a separate storage area. Private browsing or clearing site data can remove your records. Download backups regularly.

Driftless Field does not send job contents, field notes or feedback to an application server. The hosting provider still receives normal web requests and may process access or operational logs; private-preview sign-in is handled by the hosting provider. Feedback is a text file you choose to download and share.

If saving fails

Do not close the page until you download a job backup. Storage can be unavailable, full, or changed by another tab. Invalid stored data is preserved instead of overwritten. Export stored data for recovery downloads the unmodified stored content when available. Reload only after preserving your work.

Current scope

This release supports feet, rectangular quantities and individual device-local jobs. It does not include cloud sync, TIN surfaces, crew scheduling, billing or automatic customer support. Verify readings and assumptions before using results on a job.