Flat pad construction with Ditch Assist — scraper holding a single target elevation across a building pad
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Mode 06 · Leveling

Flat pads at one target elevation.

Ditch Assist™ Leveling uses RTK grade control to hold the blade to one target elevation across the whole pad — grain bins, machine sheds, riding arenas, equipment yards, lay-down areas, and land-leveling jobs where flat means flat. Set the target by entering the finished elevation, matching a known benchmark with BM, or lowering the blade to the finished-height reference and tapping Use Current — then Depth Offset, Nudge, Hold, and the red/green coverage map rough in heavy cuts and finish cleanly.

Required hardware → Get a quote
New to Ditch Assist?

Ditch Assist™ is centimeter-accurate RTK GPS grade control and guidance for field machines — one kit, one Android tablet, any compatible RTK source. Leveling is an included workflow. Buy the kit for this job and every other surface workflow comes with it — surface drainage, terraces, tile drainage, land forming, single-grade work, levees — at no extra cost, no per-mode activation.

What is Ditch Assist? →
What it is

One elevation. One pad. No route, no slope, no design file.

Leveling is the fastest Ditch Assist workflow for a flat surface. If the job has a known elevation point, tap BM and benchmark the GPS first. Then enter the target elevation directly, or lower the implement to the desired finished height and tap Use Current.

Need the finished surface above or below the starting point? Add a Depth Offset. Once grading starts, the Grade Guide shows the implement tip against the target, the blue target line shows any temporary Nudge offset, and the coverage map turns red or green so the operator can see what still needs another pass.

Ditch Assist Leveling guidance screen with target elevation, Grade Guide, and coverage feedback
Ditch Assist Leveling guidance screen with target elevation, Grade Guide, and coverage feedback
Is this the right mode?

Best for / not for.

Best for

One flat target elevation

Operators leveling a single flat surface — grain-bin pads, farmyard pads, lanes, shop pads, feedlot areas, equipment yards, riding arenas, and other lay-down areas.

Different job?

Slopes or staged designs

Jobs that need a constant slope — that is Simple Grading. Jobs with a variable-slope or 3D design — that is Land Forming.

Practical examples

Where Leveling gets used.

Same mechanic — one target elevation — across every flat surface these jobs need.

Grain storage

Grain bin pads

One flat base under the ring, with no low spot holding water against the bin wall.

Yard work

Farmyard pads

Level the yard around outbuildings to one elevation instead of eyeballing it with a shovel.

Access

Lanes

Hold one elevation across the width of the lane so equipment tracks flat instead of leaning to the low side.

Buildings

Shop pads

Flat base under a shop or machine shed before the slab goes down.

Livestock

Feedlot areas

Grade a pen or apron to one target elevation instead of checking grade by hand with a rod.

Leveling mode walkthrough

Complete simple leveling how-to: benchmark, set target elevation, and grade flat.

This is the in-app workflow an operator follows for flat pads, work areas, and single-elevation surfaces: run preflight checks, verify RTK and hydraulics, optionally benchmark to a known elevation, set the target elevation or offset, then use Grade Guide, Nudge, Hold, and coverage feedback to finish the surface.

Preflight and hydraulic checks

Connect to the control module, confirm green GPS status and live elevation, then test Raise and Lower before starting.

Benchmark, target, and offset

Use BM when a known elevation matters, set the target manually or with Use Current, and apply Depth Offset when the finished surface should be above or below the starting point.

Grade Guide, Nudge, Hold, and coverage

Watch blade elevation against target, Nudge Up for heavy cuts, use Hold for manual rough-in, and follow red/green coverage to finish the pad.

What the Leveling walkthrough covers

This walkthrough shows the simple Leveling workflow for creating a level pad, flat work area, or any surface that needs one consistent elevation.

  • 1. Connect and run preflight Connect the tablet to the Ditch Assist control module Wi-Fi, open Preflight Checks, connect to the controller, and confirm green status indicators.
  • 2. Confirm live RTK data Check that latitude, longitude, and elevation values continue updating slightly, even while the machine is stopped.
  • 3. Test hydraulic direction Use Raise and Lower to confirm the implement moves correctly. If motion is reversed, swap the valve cables; if nothing moves, check hydraulic pressure and detent.
  • 4. Open Leveling and benchmark if needed Select the Leveling card. Use BM to match GPS elevation to a known benchmark point, or skip it when the job does not need benchmark calibration.
  • 5. Set target elevation Enter a known target elevation, or lower the implement to the desired starting elevation and tap Use Current so Ditch Assist holds that blade elevation across the area.
  • 6. Apply Depth Offset Add an offset when the finished surface should be above or below the starting point, such as subtracting a cut depth for a foundation pad.
  • 7. Start and read Grade Guide Press Start to activate hydraulic control. Grade Guide shows the implement tip elevation relative to target so the operator can see above, below, or on-grade status.
  • 8. Use Nudge, Hold, and coverage Nudge Up to temporarily reduce a heavy cut, then nudge back down on later passes. Use Hold for manual bulk removal while guidance stays visible, and use red/green coverage to find unfinished areas.
  • 9. Change target or stop Tap Change Target to switch to another finished elevation or stepped pad, then press Stop when the job is complete so Ditch Assist ends and saves the grading operation.
Before Leveling

Before you start the pad.

The fastest leveling workflow still depends on a clean preflight. Confirm the tablet, control module, RTK GPS, and hydraulics before you capture a target elevation or start automated control.

  • Connect the tablet to the Ditch Assist control module Wi-Fi, open Preflight Checks, and connect to the controller.
  • Confirm green status indicators and live latitude, longitude, and elevation values that keep updating slightly.
  • Test Raise and Lower. If direction is reversed, swap the valve cables; if nothing moves, check hydraulic pressure and detent.
Setup video
Automation or guidance

Rough in manually, finish with confidence.

Leveling can be run as guidance-only feedback or full hydraulic automation. Use Hold when you want to move bulk material manually without fighting the valve, then release Hold for the final automated pass to the target elevation.

Manual rough-in with live grade

Use Grade Guide, the blue current-target line, and the red/green coverage map while the operator works the hydraulics manually.

Automated finish to target

Release Hold for the finish pass so Ditch Assist drives the raise/lower hydraulics back to the final target elevation.

For heavy cuts, Nudge Up temporarily raises the target so the machine takes a manageable pass. Nudge back down on later passes until the blue target line is back at the finished elevation.

Ditch Assist Leveling guidance screen showing target elevation, Grade Guide, and coverage feedback
Red areas have not reached the target elevation yet Green areas have reached the selected target elevation Hold pauses valve output while visual guidance stays live
Compare Automation and Guidance kits →
The workflow

Simple Leveling workflow.

Run preflight, set the target elevation, start grading, and use Nudge or Hold when the cut is too much for one pass. Change Target lets you switch elevations for stepped work without leaving the mode.

STEP 01

Benchmark if needed, then set target

Tap the Leveling card. If the job has a known elevation point, use BM first. Then enter the target elevation by hand, or lower the implement to the desired height and tap Use Current.

STEP 02

Add offset and start grading

Use Depth Offset when the finished surface needs to be above or below the starting point. Tap Start and Grade Guide shows the implement tip above, below, or on the selected target.

STEP 03

Nudge, hold, and finish from coverage

If the cut is too heavy, use Nudge Up to temporarily raise the target and take a lighter pass. Use Hold for manual rough-in, then release Hold for the final automated pass. Red areas still need work; green areas have reached target.

STEP 04

Change target or stop

Tap Change Target to switch to a new finished elevation for a stepped pad or another flat area. When the project is done, press Stop so Ditch Assist ends and saves the grading operation.

Ditch Assist Leveling coverage heatmap showing active flat pad grading
Operator visibility

Coverage heatmap

The map that shows what has reached target and what still needs work.

Most pad jobs end with a tape measure, a rod, and someone asking whether the whole footprint is actually flat. The Ditch Assist™ coverage map answers that visually. Areas that have not reached target show red; areas that have reached target show green, so the operator can decide where the next pass belongs without stopping for constant rod checks.

REAL-TIME COVERAGE

Real-time coverage

Every pass writes current RTK elevation to the map. You see where the machine has been and whether that part of the pad has reached the selected target.

CUT/FILL COLOURS

Red and green status

Red means the area has not reached target elevation yet. Green means the pass reached the target, making unfinished sections easy to spot from the cab.

DONE = FULL COVERAGE

Done, stop, and save

When the working area is uniformly on target, press Stop. Ditch Assist ends the grading operation and saves the job so the operator can return to the main menu or start another leveling job.

Nudge, Hold & finish control

Take heavy cuts in practical passes.

When the final target is too deep for one pass, Nudge Up temporarily raises the target so the machine cuts less. Hold pauses hydraulic commands while keeping guidance visible for manual rough-in. Then release Hold and nudge back down to finish at the real elevation.

Nudge, Hold, and active Leveling grade target on the Ditch Assist grade screen
Operator control

Rough in high, then return to final grade.

Leveling is intentionally simple: one target elevation is the whole design. Nudge changes the current target as an offset, and the blue target line makes it clear when the operator is temporarily cutting above or below the final elevation.

SET TARGET

Anchor the pad

Enter the known elevation, benchmark with BM if needed, or capture the current blade elevation with Use Current. That single number becomes the final target for the flat pad.

NUDGE UP

Raise the temporary target

Tap Nudge Up when the cut is too much for one pass. The target rises temporarily, reducing the cut while the Grade Guide and coverage map keep the operator oriented.

HOLD / FINISH

Hold, then finish

Use Hold for manual bulk material removal when needed. For the finish pass, release Hold, nudge back down to the final target, and grade until the coverage map is green.

Equipment

Grade control for the machines you build pads with.

Pad construction usually splits across two phases — bulk earth-moving with a pull-type scraper, then finish work with a land leveler or hydraulic blade. Ditch Assist runs both. Pick yours below for setup and compatibility details.

Pull-type scrapers

Grade Control for Pull-Type Scrapers
Pull-type scraper with Ditch Assist on a pad

Pull-type scrapers carry the bulk earth-moving phase of a pad — useful when the site needs serious cut from the high side or significant fill brought in. Both the Automation Kit and the Guidance Kit add full RTK GPS grade control to any hydraulically operated pull-type scraper. The Automation Kit drives the raise/lower hydraulics automatically — PWM valve, hoses, fittings, and a manual-bypass circuit all included. The Guidance Kit gives live on-screen on-grade feedback so the operator works the existing hydraulics manually — control module and harness only, no plumbing.

Min/max Duty Cycle (DC) settings in the Ditch Assist app tune hydraulic responsiveness for typical scrapers used across Western Canada and the Northern U.S. Turn up DC for larger units, down for smaller. Optional high-flow valve spool upgrades are available for extra-large scrapers — contact us to discuss your specific needs.

Because the kit is portable and mounted on the implement (or tractor), it's easy to switch between tractors throughout the day. Wireless communication from valve to cab means minimal wiring — drop the kit on a different tractor and be back on the pad in under an hour.

Nudge and Hold make scraper work practical when the final elevation is too deep for one pass. Nudge Up to raise the temporary target, use Hold for manual rough-in if needed, then return to automation for the finish pass while the red/green coverage map fills in.

Ditch Assist works seamlessly with any RTK GPS. If you need an affordable solution, ask about the reliable Emlid Reach RS3 or RS4.

Land levelers

Grade Control for Land Levelers
Land leveler with Ditch Assist on a pad

Land levelers are the finish-work specialist on pad construction — their broad cut and even weight smooth a pad to dead flat in fewer passes than a smaller blade, and the long wheelbase tracks beautifully under automated raise/lower control. Both the Automation Kit and the Guidance Kit add RTK GPS grade control to any hydraulic land leveler. The Automation Kit drives the raise/lower hydraulics so the leveler tracks the target elevation automatically; the Guidance Kit displays live on-grade feedback while the operator works the hydraulics manually.

Ditch Assist works with the raise/lower function only. Tilt and side-wing functions stay manually operated. For tilt-capable units, keep the tilt angle constant from setup through to grading — changing it mid-job shifts the GPS height offset and pulls the leveler off the target elevation.

The coverage heatmap is especially powerful behind a land leveler — broad even passes fill the map quickly and visibly, so you can finish a pad with confidence that the whole footprint is on grade.

Wireless valve communication keeps the cab clean and allows fast machine swaps. Works with any RTK GPS; the Emlid Reach RS3 or RS4 is our affordable starter option.

Hydraulic blades & Pulldozer™

Grade Control for Blades and the Pulldozer™
Hydraulic blade and Pulldozer with Ditch Assist on a pad

Hydraulic blades and the Pulldozer™ suit pad work where tight depth control matters — small pads, awkward access, the last centimetre of finish on a tight bid. Both the Automation Kit and the Guidance Kit add RTK GPS grade control to the raise/lower hydraulics so the blade holds the target elevation across the whole pad.

The Automation Kit drives the existing hydraulics automatically — PWM valve, hoses, fittings, and a manual-bypass circuit all included. The Guidance Kit gives on-screen on-grade feedback while the operator works the hydraulics manually — control module and harness only, no plumbing.

Either way, Ditch Assist drives only the raise/lower function — tilt and side-wing functions stay manual. Keep the tilt angle constant from setup through to grading; changing it alters the GPS height offset and pulls the blade off the target.

Nudge gives the operator temporary target offsets for rough-in and finish passes. Use Hold when you want manual hydraulic control with guidance still visible, then finish to the final target and watch the coverage map turn green.

Wireless valve communication keeps cab wiring minimal and allows fast machine swaps. Works with any RTK GPS; ask about the affordable Emlid Reach RS3 or RS4 bundle.

More than Leveling

Same kit. Every other surface-grading job too.

Whichever kit you buy for Leveling — Automation or Guidance — unlocks every other surface workflow in the Ditch Assist app. No extra cost, no per-mode activation. Bin pad in the morning, surface drain in the afternoon, a terrace next week — same kit, same tablet, same operator.

Mode 01

Ditching

Surface drainage runs — survey, design with Slope-IQ™, auto-grade. Curved, multi-grade, long-run.

See Ditching → Mode 02

Terracing

Cut a channel, build a berm. Wide-base farmable terraces with balanced cut and fill.

See Terracing → Mode 03

Land Forming

Variable-slope and all-way designs from OptiSurface™, Ezigrade™, Topcon™ AGForm-3D™, AGD, and LandXML.

See Land Forming → Mode 04

Simple Grading

Single-slope grading or a sloped plane — the fastest path from arrival to graded ground.

See Simple Grading → Mode 05

Tiling

Sub-surface tile drainage with depth-constrained design and Automatic Rock Hit Recovery.

See Tiling → Mode 07

Levee

Drive elevation contours for levees, paddy dikes, and contour berms — lightbar guidance with no automation valve or hydraulic plumbing.

See Levee →
Problem → fix

Where Leveling earns its keep.

Flat pad work: set one target elevation, start grading, and watch the red/green coverage map fill in as the scraper or leveler reaches grade across the footprint. The operator can see what still needs another pass without stopping for constant rod checks.

Heavy cuts: Nudge Up gives the machine a practical rough-in target before the finish pass. Use Hold for manual bulk removal, then release Hold and return to the final elevation when the pad is ready for automation.

One kit, more work: the same Automation or Guidance Kit that levels a grain-bin pad can move back to Ditching, Terracing, Land Forming, Tiling, or Simple Grading when the next surface job starts.

FAQ

Flat pad grade control questions.

Answers for farmers, contractors, and builders comparing RTK GPS leveling, laser leveling, land leveler grade control, and scraper control for pad work.

Flat pads

What is Leveling mode for?

Leveling grades to one fixed target elevation. Use it for grain-bin pads, machine-shed pads, shop floors, equipment yards, riding arenas, lay-down areas, and other flat surfaces.

Laser alternative

Can it replace a laser?

For many flat pad jobs, yes. Instead of setting a laser tripod and checking grade with a rod, the tablet uses RTK GPS elevation to guide or control the implement.

Target setup

Can I capture the current height?

Yes. Drive to the finished-height reference and tap Use Current. If you are working from a surveyed benchmark or datum, use BM to calibrate the benchmark first or enter the target elevation directly.

Nudge

Can I adjust the target in the field?

Yes. Nudge works in Leveling and offsets the current target elevation. Use Nudge Up to take lighter rough-in passes, then nudge back down and finish at the final elevation.

Mode choice

Leveling or Simple Grading?

Use Leveling when the surface is flat. Use Simple Grading for one slope or a 0% surveyed plane when you want design tools, cut/fill context, or volume-style planning.

Auto-Nudge

Does Leveling use Auto-Nudge?

No. Leveling has one fixed target elevation, so there is no staged design to advance. Use Nudge and Hold to manage rough-in passes before finishing at the final target.

Excavator using the Ditch Assist DIG kit for bucket-tip guidance Ditch Assist DIG
Excavator guidance

Have an excavator or backhoe too?

Add Ditch Assist DIG™ as a separate excavator guidance kit for bucket-tip elevation, trench design, and dug-earth mapping. It uses the same familiar Ditch Assist app experience, so operators can expand from implement grade control to excavators without learning a different UI.

See Excavator mode → DIG™ Kit
Emlid Reach RS4 RTK receiver for level pad construction
Optional RTK GPS bundles

Need RTK for level pads?

Leveling holds one fixed elevation across the pad, so receiver height, benchmark setup, and RTK stability matter. If you do not already have RTK, the Ditch Assist-only Emlid bundle can include RS4 / RS3 receivers, base tripod, tripod extender, mount hardware, and the Ditch Assist-to-Emlid RTK GPS cable.

Emlid RTK options →Get a quote
Compatible equipment

Drives the cylinder on every implement you level pads with.

Pull-Type Scrapers (any brand) Land Levelers Hydraulic Blades Pulldozer™
Try it live

See the real app before you talk hardware.

See the Leveling workflow live: benchmark setup, target elevation, and coverage tracking, all in your browser.

Open the app simulator →
Ditch Assist app home screen in the browser simulator