LASER REFERENCE TRACKING AND TARGET CORRECTIONS FOR WORK MACHINES

A system and method are provided for operating a work machine comprising a laser receiver and an implement for working a terrain. Responsive to movement of the laser receiver, a laser reference is received at a plurality of positions relative to a transmitting laser source, wherein the laser reference corresponds in slope and direction at a defined elevation offset with respect to a target surface profile of the terrain being worked. A plane of the laser reference is determined from data points corresponding to the plurality of positions at which the laser reference is received, and movement of at least the implement is controlled with respect to at least the determined plane of the laser reference and the defined elevation offset.