Topcon Agriculture reckons to have further improved sprayer boom control performance with the latest sensor technology used for the Norac UC7 Plus package, which is said to be compatible with most trailed and self-propelled sprayers.

As before, this system comprises ultrasonic sensors mounted to the underside of the boom, and a pitch and roll sensor on the sprayer chassis to detect its movements over the field surface.

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An electronic control unit on the sprayer then unscrambles the sensor data and instructs a proportional hydraulic valve block to rapidly extend or retract hydraulic cylinders to keep the boom on an even keel at the required operating height.

A combination of the proven HCM-1 implement controller, DCS-1 dynamic chassis sensor and the MS-1 Max Sense ultrasonic boom height sensors – which come in a durable and impact-resistant glass-filled nylon housing – are brought together and set up via an Isobus-compatible universal terminal.

Response sensitivity is adjustable to suit different field surfaces, and the system operates in one of three modes – calculating boom height relative to bare soil, to the height of the crop, or a combination of the two.

The latter hybrid mode creates a virtual continuous cover in lodged or patchy crops, over wheel tracks and any washed-out areas.