Is Auto boom height control a necessity on a sprayer?

Question

Purchased a 4700 sprayer for our first sprayer.  It has autosteer and autoswath but no auto boom height control. I was looking into putting it on it. Have been quoted 10 to 15k to add it to it. I have seen kits for 3 to 4000. Just looking for opinions on if people think it’s worth it or not.

Answer

We have used a ravens auto boom on a 4700 with high voltage system as a stand alone unit and got along fine. Sold it to a neighbor and he still using it several years later.

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We have a Hardi pull type sprayer with a 90 foot boom that has auto height, wouldn't want to spray without it, we have wheel width set to 60" for post spraying to follow the tractor tracks and without auto height turned on in uneven ground or crossing waterways you are either dragging the outside of the boom on the crop or it is 10 feet in the air.  With auto steer, auto swath and auto boom height you do so much better of a job spraying....and it is way less stressful, you are basically a passenger in the vehicle.

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Once you have it, you dont want to run without it! Takes a lot of fatigue off the operator.  Good operators dont need it but it sure is nice. I run a lot of ground with varying hillsides valleys and gullies. I probably at the end of the day can spray another hour or 2 from the sprayer making the adjustments and not having to slow down as much for those spots and less fatigue on me which makes me want to get another load or 2 out at the end of the day.

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I have most of what you need to put a 3 or 5 sensor Norac system on a sprayer if you are running a 2600 monitor. I took it off my 4920 before it got traded

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I have ran multiple brands of systems on JD sprayers like you have (****, 4720, 4730).  In my opinion the NORAC system with 5 sensors and active roll is hands down the best system to have on rolling, terraces fields. I also ran CAPSTANS - Sharpshooter system on the sprayer.  (That is their pulsating nozzle system that fits on the JD sprayer) The advantage of those two systems running together is that you could vary your speed greatly in the field as the terrain allowed.  You could run fast on the flat areas and then when you needed to slow down for terraces or rough areas the CAPSTAN would adjust quickly to make sure you were still at the proper rate.  I’m not a salesman of either system - just a farmer sharing his experiences.

Answer

******* - if you take ***** up on his used NORAC system there are a couple things to consider.  I would strongly recommend adding the ‘active roll’ feature if it doesn’t already have it.  Also, I know that you can operate the system through the JD display but I always liked operating it separately through a second NORAC display.  I used their ‘echo’ display but I think they have another name for it now.

Answer

I’ve only ran Deere I hear ***** is awesome as an add on thanks for the info on capstan I would not run a sprayer with out height control I spray all hours of the day and night in the busy season I spray a huge amount of custom the sheer fatigue savings alone is worth it let alone the savings to your booms plus a much more even chemical application

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I think it depends on your ground. Our farms are relatively flat and we get along fine without it. If we farmed in the hills, I think it would be a necessity.

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The wider and the faster you go the more need for auto height in my opinion. Saves on the booms as they will be in the dirt a lot less. I put on the Greentronics on my last sprayer and it worked well. More reasonable prices than most of the other systems .

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I have used a Fast 9518 for several years with a Norac height control system. We only have a 90 ft boom, but I would hate to have to go out and spray without the height control.

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As stated earlier, check out Greentronics. Much more affordable.

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It is well worth the cost .With dicamba you need to keep boom low. One less thing to watch. Watch out on terraces make sure sensor is on top of terrace.

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I like it when trimming out waterways and edges. I’ll run my trim side by hand and let the auto height run the inside boom. Less stress on the neck and worrying when focusing on trees and fence. 
************

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Our new one has it, would not want a sprayer with out it. With it you will be able to spray faster and have the boom at close to ideal height. Some applications require very good coverage. You will not get good coverage if the tips of your boom are 10-15-20' above the crop or hitting the ground. Will also reduce operator fatigue and drift. We are hilly with lots of uneven surface if your ground is flat river bottom or ditch irrigated you could get by with out it.

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i got a 4710 with out it.i get along just fine. i spray around 2000 acres with it every year.. i have some uneven fields but its not worth me spending any amount of money on it! it would be nice but a waste of my money in my situation.

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Maybe not a absolute “necessity”. 
We got along for years without it. 
But I think it makes a spray job better. 
And it makes the work easier too.

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Greentronics makes a nice affordable unit

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Can’t imagine not having it after 12 years of running with either ***** or now ***** on my hagies. Either system works great. The guy with the used ***** is what I’d pursue.

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In my opinion 3-4k is well worth it not only optimizing boom height and spray quality but in reducing operator fatigue. Everyone forgets about those days when you already put in 12 hour day and you decide to go out and spray one more 1/4 section before calling it a day.

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Is Auto boom height control a necessity on a sprayer?

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