Fisher M-66 Valve and Box Locator $560 Request a quote
Finds buried and paved-over valve boxes and other metal. Works through concrete and asphalt.
$532Curb Box Locators
Our curb box locators find buried and paved-over curb boxes, valve boxes and manhole covers for water utilities and public works crews. Choose an all-metal valve and box locator from Fisher, or one that finds only iron and steel.
6 locators
Schonstedt GA-52Cx Magnetic Locator $1,301 Request a quote
Finds iron and steel and ignores aluminum, brass and copper.
$1,236
Schonstedt GA-72Cd Magnetic Locator $1,419 Request a quote
Shorter GA-52Cx sibling with a screen that shows signal strength and polarity to help find a target's center.
$1,348
Schonstedt GA-92XTd Magnetic Locator $1,375 Request a quote
Pistol-grip magnetic locator with a polarity readout that slides shut from 26 in. to 15.5 in. for storage.
$1,306
Schonstedt Spot Magnetic Locator $1,169 Request a quote
Lighter push-button version of the GA-52Cx stick that finds buried iron and steel, to 18 ft on well casings.
$1,110
Vivax-Metrotech VM-880 Ferrous Metal Detector $1,128 Request a quote
Finds buried iron and steel: valve boxes, manhole covers, survey nails and cast iron pipe.
$1,071All-metal or iron-only: which curb box locator?
All metal, through pavement
The Fisher M-66 picks up any metal, not only iron, so it also finds boxes and fittings that aren't iron. It reads through concrete and asphalt, and a ground control keeps the tone steady in mineral soil.
Iron and steel only
The Schonstedt GA-52Cx, GA-72Cd, GA-92XTd and Spot, and the Vivax-Metrotech VM-880, find only iron and steel, so aluminum, brass and copper don't send you digging. Schonstedt lists curb boxes at 9 to 10 ft, depending on the model.
Finding valve boxes under pavement and snow
The M-66 reads through concrete and asphalt, so a box that got paved over can still be found. In snow, the GA-52Cx's waterproof lower shaft can go right into the drift. Sweep the area, then trace a slow X over the strongest tone to pinpoint the box.
Finding buried manhole covers
Iron manhole covers show up clearly, and on a shallow cover you can trace its edges. The GA-52Cx and Spot list covers up to 10 ft, and the GA-92XTd up to 9 ft. On the VM-880, a cover gives two peaks, plus at one end and minus at the other.
Curb box locators for water and public works crews
Equipping a public works department or a water crew? Tell us the models and how many, and we'll respond with one written quote. We stay in contact after the sale, and when a locator needs work, call us.
Questions
What kind of metal detector finds valve boxes?
A valve and box locator. An all-metal model like the Fisher M-66 finds any metal box, and an iron-only model finds iron and steel boxes and ignores other metal.
How do I find a curb stop?
Find the curb box. The curb stop is the shutoff valve on a water service, and the curb box sits over it with a lid at the surface. An iron curb box shows up on any of these locators, even when it's buried or paved over. To trace the service line itself, use one of our water line locators.
Will a curb box locator find a plastic valve box?
Only if there's metal in it. Some plastic valve boxes have a magnet built in, and the Schonstedt models can find it. A plastic box with no metal won't show up.
How much does a curb box locator cost?
Our curb box locators start at $532 for the Fisher M-66. The iron-and-steel models run from $1,071 for the Vivax-Metrotech VM-880 to $1,348 for the Schonstedt GA-72Cd.
Not sure which one fits your crew?
Call 937-657-2735 or request a quote and tell us what you're looking for.