6 Sprayer Boom Leveling Systems That Conquer Uneven Ground

There’s nothing more frustrating than watching your sprayer boom dig into the dirt on one side while the other wing soars three feet above the crop. You’re either burning your plants with a concentrated dose or wasting expensive product to the wind. For those of us farming on anything but a perfectly flat tabletop, managing boom height is a constant battle.

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Why Boom Height Control is Crucial on Hills

The effectiveness of any spray application hinges on a single, simple factor: droplet distance. You need your nozzles at a consistent height above the target—whether that’s the soil or the crop canopy—to get a uniform spray pattern. When one end of the boom is too low, the spray fans overlap too much, leading to over-application and potential crop damage.

When the other end is too high, two bad things happen. First, the spray pattern doesn’t overlap enough, leaving gaps in your coverage where pests or weeds can thrive. Second, the droplets have more time to drift off-target, which is both a waste of money and an environmental concern.

On a small farm, every dollar and every drop counts. Uneven ground magnifies these problems, turning a simple spraying job into a high-stakes guessing game. Proper boom leveling isn’t a luxury; it’s the foundation of effective and responsible application.

Raven AutoBoom XRT: Precision Ultrasonic Control

When you want the absolute best in automated control, you look at systems like Raven’s AutoBoom XRT. This is an active, high-tech solution that uses ultrasonic sensors mounted on the boom to constantly measure the distance to the ground or the crop. It takes the operator completely out of the height-adjustment equation.

The system’s computer processes the sensor data in real-time, making hydraulic adjustments to the boom’s height and tilt faster than a human ever could. It anticipates changes based on the sprayer’s movement, ensuring the boom glides smoothly over contours, dips, and terraces. This means you can focus on driving and monitoring other systems.

Of course, this level of precision comes at a price. For most hobby farms, a system like the XRT is a significant investment and likely overkill. However, if you’re managing high-value crops on intensely varied terrain, the reduction in chemical waste and operator fatigue could make the math work. It represents the gold standard of what’s possible.

John Deere BoomTrac Pro for Integrated Leveling

If you’re running a modern John Deere sprayer, their integrated BoomTrac Pro system is a powerful, seamless option. Like other active systems, it uses sensors to automatically maintain the boom’s target height and level. The key advantage here is the deep integration with the sprayer’s own systems.

Because it’s designed by the manufacturer, all the controls and readouts are built right into the cab’s main display. There are no extra boxes or wiring harnesses to contend with. The system is tuned specifically for the hydraulics and geometry of that particular sprayer, resulting in exceptionally smooth and reliable performance.

The tradeoff, naturally, is brand loyalty. This system isn’t something you can bolt onto an older, different-colored machine. It’s a feature you get when you invest in the John Deere ecosystem. For a hobby farmer with a mixed fleet, it’s not a practical retrofit, but it’s a major selling point if you’re in the market for a newer green machine.

NORAC UC7: Advanced Roll and Height Sensing

NORAC is another top-tier name in the world of aftermarket boom control, and their UC7 system is a direct competitor to the most advanced options out there. It provides incredibly precise, automated control over both boom height and, critically, boom roll (the side-to-side tilt). It can even control the height of each boom wing independently.

This system is known for its ruggedness and advanced algorithms that can differentiate between the soil and a dense crop canopy, allowing you to maintain a consistent height relative to either target. It’s a smart system that learns the sprayer’s hydraulic response and adjusts its own behavior for smoother, more accurate corrections.

Like other ultrasonic systems, the NORAC UC7 is a serious piece of equipment for those who need ultimate precision. It’s for the farmer whose land includes steep side-hills, terraces, and dramatic contours. For a small-scale operation, it’s a "buy once, cry once" investment that solves the problem of boom control permanently.

Trapeze Suspension: A Simple Mechanical Solution

Now let’s get back to something more grounded for the average small farm. A trapeze suspension is a brilliant, purely mechanical solution that provides excellent passive leveling without any electronics. The boom is mounted on a linkage system that allows it to swing freely, much like a trapeze at the circus.

As the sprayer chassis tilts one way on a hillside, gravity pulls the boom back toward a level position. It’s not instantaneous and it’s not perfect, but it’s a massive improvement over a rigid-mounted boom. It effectively decouples the boom’s angle from the sprayer’s angle.

This is often the sweet spot for a hobby farmer. Trapeze systems are reliable, have no sensors to clean or wires to break, and are far more affordable than active systems. While they can be susceptible to swaying during sharp turns or sudden stops, they handle rolling terrain with impressive grace. It’s a simple, elegant solution that solves 80% of the problem for 20% of the cost.

Pendulum Boom Suspension for Passive Correction

A pendulum suspension is another common mechanical approach, often found on smaller or older three-point hitch sprayers. The concept is even simpler than a trapeze: the entire boom assembly is hung from a single pivot point above its center.

Gravity is the only force at play here. As the sprayer moves over uneven ground, the boom simply hangs downward, naturally seeking a level state. It’s a passive system that requires no input from the operator.

The main drawback of a simple pendulum is sway. The boom can swing back and forth during acceleration and turning, which can be a real nuisance. More effective designs incorporate dampeners or shock absorbers to control this unwanted movement. While not as stable as a trapeze system, a well-dampened pendulum suspension is still a cost-effective way to gain basic boom leveling.

TeeJet BoomPilot for Assisted Steering & Height

TeeJet’s BoomPilot system occupies an interesting middle ground. While it’s primarily known as a GPS-guided automatic steering system, it often integrates with other functions, including basic boom height and section control. It’s less of a dedicated leveling system and more of a broader precision ag tool.

The value here is in the bundle. For a hobby farmer looking to make a single tech upgrade, a system like this can provide GPS guidance to reduce overlap, automatic boom section control to save chemical on headlands, and sometimes basic height assistance. It helps you drive straighter, which in itself makes managing boom height easier.

Don’t mistake it for a full-fledged active leveling system like Raven or NORAC. The height control is typically more limited, often just returning the boom to preset heights. But as a holistic investment in accuracy, it can be a very smart move, tackling several small-farm challenges at once.

Matching a Leveling System to Your Farm’s Needs

There is no single "best" system; there is only the best system for your land, your budget, and your equipment. The key is to honestly assess your needs before you spend a dime.

Start by walking your fields. Are you dealing with gentle, rolling hills or steep, challenging grades? For minor variations, a simple mechanical system is a game-changer.

• Mostly Flat: A basic rigid boom is likely sufficient.
• Rolling Terrain: A trapeze or pendulum suspension is the most cost-effective and practical upgrade. It will dramatically improve your application consistency.
• Steep & Complex Ground: If your property looks more like a ski hill, an active ultrasonic system might be the only way to get a truly consistent application.

Next, consider your sprayer and your budget. An older sprayer might be a perfect candidate for a mechanical trapeze retrofit. If you’re buying a newer machine, an integrated system like BoomTrac Pro might be a key feature to look for. The goal is to match the solution’s complexity and cost to the severity of the problem you’re trying to solve.

Ultimately, controlling your boom height is about putting your product exactly where it needs to go, every time. Whether you choose a simple mechanical linkage or a sophisticated sensor-driven system, the right choice will save you money, reduce your environmental impact, and lead to healthier, more consistent crops. It’s not about having the fanciest gear; it’s about having the smartest setup for the ground you farm.