6 Best Sprayer Boom Height Controllers For Even Coverage That Stop Overspray
Achieve uniform crop coverage and eliminate costly overspray. We review the top 6 automated boom height controllers for optimal precision spraying.
We’ve all been there. You’re spraying a field with a slight crosswind, watching one end of the boom dip into the crop while the other soars high, sending a fine mist drifting toward the fenceline. It’s frustrating, wasteful, and potentially harmful to neighboring plants. Getting that boom height just right, especially on rolling ground, is one of the trickiest parts of effective application.
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Why Boom Height Control Is Crucial for Sprays
Getting your spray application right comes down to one thing: consistency. An automatic boom height controller is your best tool for achieving it. When your boom is too high, you get drift. That’s not just an environmental concern; it’s product and money blowing away in the wind, and it leads to uneven, splotchy coverage.
When the boom is too low, you get the opposite problem. The spray pattern from your nozzles can’t fully develop, resulting in concentrated streaks of over-application and other areas that are completely missed. This "striping" effect can harm your crop in the over-applied zones and leave it vulnerable to pests or weeds in the under-applied ones.
Think about that one low spot in your main field or the terraces you have to navigate. Manually adjusting the boom height in those conditions is a full-time job, and you can’t do it perfectly while also focusing on driving a straight line. An automated system eliminates that guesswork. It ensures every part of your field gets the exact rate you intended, protecting your investment and improving your results.
Raven AutoBoom XRT for Unmatched Precision
Raven is a leader in precision ag, and their AutoBoom XRT system shows why. It uses non-contact radar sensors instead of the more common ultrasonic ones. This is a big deal because radar can "see" through dust and even sense the true ground level through a dense crop canopy, ensuring a consistent height relative to the soil, not the top of the plants.
This system is incredibly responsive, making rapid, smooth adjustments that prevent the boom from whipping up and down on rough terrain. For anyone farming on rolling hills or dealing with variable crop heights, the XRT’s ability to maintain a target height is second to none. It anticipates changes rather than just reacting to them.
Of course, this level of performance comes at a premium. The AutoBoom XRT is an investment. But if you’re spraying high-value crops where precise application is the difference between profit and loss, or if your terrain is particularly challenging, the reduction in waste and crop damage can provide a surprisingly fast return.
TeeJet BoomPilot: A Reliable, Modular Option
TeeJet is a name every farmer knows, and their BoomPilot system lives up to the brand’s reputation for practical, reliable equipment. This system is a great entry point into automatic boom height control because it’s straightforward and modular. You can start with a basic setup and expand its capabilities later.
The BoomPilot uses rugged ultrasonic sensors to measure the distance to the ground or crop canopy. It’s a proven technology that works very well in most conditions. The controller is designed to be user-friendly, making calibration and in-field adjustments simple without needing a degree in computer science.
What makes the BoomPilot so appealing for a smaller operation is its flexibility. It’s not tied to a specific brand of sprayer or display, making it a fantastic retrofit option for older equipment. If you want to upgrade your current sprayer without replacing the entire machine, the TeeJet BoomPilot is one of the most cost-effective ways to get modern performance.
NORAC UC7: Advanced Control for Rough Terrain
If your fields look more like hillsides than flat plains, NORAC is the system to look at first. They have specialized in boom height control for decades, and their UC7 system is engineered specifically for the most demanding terrain. It offers exceptional stability by looking ahead and proactively adjusting the boom.
The UC7 system combines data from multiple sensors with advanced algorithms to create a complete picture of the ground ahead. This allows it to make smooth, anticipatory adjustments, keeping the boom level even when the sprayer itself is tilting and bouncing. It’s this proactive control that prevents the boom tips from digging into the ground on one side or flying up on the other when crossing ditches or terraces.
NORAC’s "Active Roll" technology is another key feature. It counteracts the chassis roll of the sprayer itself, keeping the boom parallel to the ground independently of the machine’s movement. For anyone who has fought to keep their boom steady on side-hills, this feature alone is a game-changer. It’s a specialized tool for a tough job.
John Deere BoomTrac Pro: Seamless Integration
For farmers running green equipment, John Deere’s BoomTrac Pro is often the path of least resistance, and for good reason. The biggest advantage is its seamless integration with the GreenStar displays and sprayer controls you’re already using. There’s no separate box to mount in the cab or another wiring harness to figure out.
BoomTrac Pro uses ultrasonic sensors to maintain a consistent height, and it performs reliably across a wide range of conditions. Because it’s part of the John Deere ecosystem, setup, calibration, and operation are all handled through the familiar CommandARM and display interface. This simplifies things immensely on long days.
The tradeoff, of course, is that it’s designed for John Deere equipment. While it’s an excellent system, its primary selling point is that deep integration. If you’re running a mixed fleet or a non-Deere sprayer, you’ll likely be better served by one of the more universal systems on this list. But if you’re already invested in the Deere platform, the plug-and-play nature of BoomTrac Pro is hard to beat.
Topcon Apollo CM-40: High-Tech GPS Control
Topcon takes a slightly different approach with its Apollo CM-40 controller. While it uses ultrasonic sensors like many others, it can also integrate GPS terrain compensation into its logic. This means the system uses GPS data to understand the upcoming topography, allowing it to prepare for hills and valleys before the sensors even detect them.
This blend of sensor data and GPS mapping results in incredibly smooth and proactive boom control. It’s particularly effective on gently rolling terrain where changes are gradual but constant. The system isn’t just reacting to what’s directly underneath it; it has a broader awareness of the field’s layout.
The Apollo CM-40 is best suited for the tech-forward farmer who is already using Topcon’s guidance and control systems. Leveraging your existing GPS hardware for boom control is a smart way to maximize your investment. It turns your guidance system into a multi-purpose tool that enhances both steering accuracy and application quality.
Ag Leader IntelliHeight: A Simple, Effective Choice
Ag Leader has built a reputation for creating powerful yet intuitive precision ag tools, and IntelliHeight fits that mold perfectly. It’s a no-nonsense system designed to do one job—control boom height—and do it very well. It’s a popular choice for retrofitting onto a wide variety of sprayer makes and models.
The system pairs with Ag Leader’s InCommand displays, providing a clean, easy-to-understand interface. Operators often praise IntelliHeight for its straightforward calibration process and reliability. It uses industry-standard ultrasonic sensors and provides dependable performance without overwhelming you with overly complex settings.
Think of IntelliHeight as the workhorse option. It may not have the radar sensors of a Raven or the extreme-terrain algorithms of a NORAC, but it delivers consistent, reliable control for the vast majority of farming conditions. For a farmer who values simplicity and effectiveness, IntelliHeight is a rock-solid choice.
Key Features for Your Boom Height Controller
Choosing the right system comes down to matching the features to your farm’s specific needs. Don’t pay for technology you won’t use. Instead, focus on the elements that will make the biggest difference in your fields.
Here are the key things to consider:
- Sensor Type: Ultrasonic sensors are the standard and work great for most applications. Radar sensors are a premium option that excel in dusty conditions or when you need to sense the true ground through a thick crop canopy.
- System Responsiveness: How quickly and smoothly does the system react? Look for systems that offer proportional control, which makes gradual adjustments rather than abrupt, jerky ones. This is crucial for boom stability on uneven ground.
- Compatibility: This is non-negotiable. Ensure the system will work with your specific sprayer model and, just as importantly, with your existing in-cab display. A system that can’t talk to your screen is a major headache.
- Number of Sensors: A basic system might use three sensors, while more advanced setups use five or even seven. More sensors provide more data points, leading to better control, especially on wider booms or highly variable terrain.
Ultimately, the goal is to find a system that fits your budget, your equipment, and your land. A simple three-sensor system on a 60-foot boom can be just as effective in a flat field as a seven-sensor radar system is on a rolling hillside. The key is choosing the right tool for your specific job.
Investing in a boom height controller isn’t about adding another gadget to the cab; it’s about taking control of your application. It reduces chemical waste, prevents crop damage, and ensures the product you paid for goes exactly where it’s needed. The right system will pay for itself not just in saved inputs, but in peace of mind.
