BoomTrac Settings & Height Control
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Sprayer Main Page with BoomTrac


A-BoomTrac sensor

BoomTrac is an automatic boom level & height control system. An ultrasonic sensor (A) on each boom measures the height of the boom above the target. If the slope of the field changes and the boom is not level to the ground or crop, the active boom control system will correct the boom tilt automatically to level the boom and the controller will also adjust boom height if required.

Once the operator has selected the nozzle for his spray application in "Job Settings", the optimum spray height is automatically set and controlled by BoomTrac, if the "AUTO" mode is selected with softkey A. On the "Sprayer - Main" page of the GreenStar 2 display the actual boom height above the target can be monitored.

Working Mode

The drop down menu gives access to four different settings how BoomTrac ™ will control and adjust the spray boom.

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BoomTrac Sensor

BoomTrac is a Trademark from Deere & Company

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  • "TILT": In this mode the boom tilt will be automatically controlled and adjusted by BoomTrac ™
  • "TILT + HEIGHT": In this mode boom tilt and the boom height will be automatically controlled and adjusted by BoomTrac.
  • "TILT + GV": In this mode the boom tilt and variable geometry will be automatically controlled and adjusted by BoomTrac. (Not yet available)
  • "TILT + GV + HEIGHT": In this mode the boom tilt, variable geometry and boom height will be automatically controlled and adjusted by BoomTrac. (Not yet available)

BoomTrac is a Trademark from Deere & Company

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Job Settings with BoomTrac

BoomTrac Headland Management System

Three different headland management settings to match the field conditions can be selected from the "Job Settings" (softkey G) in "Boom Headland Management" drop down menu. As soon as the master valve is closed at the headland, BoomTrac automatically switches to one of the following modes:

  • "Off": In this mode the automatic boom tilt and height control will be switched off when the master valve is switched off at the headland.
  • "Raise & Stop": In this mode the boom will be raised to a higher position at the headland when the master valve is switched off. The boom tilt control will be switched off.

    If the value in "BoomTrac Setttings" is set to "0", the boom will not be raised at the headland.

  • "Raise & Tilt": In this mode the boom will be raised at the headland when the master valve is switched off and the boom tilt remains active. When the master valve is switched on again after the headland
    turn, BoomTrac will become active again and adjust the boom height to the spray height.

    If the value in "BoomTrac Settings" is set to "0", the boom will not be raised at the headland.


As soon as the master valve is opened after the headland turn, BoomTrac will readjust the boom to its target height. If the boom tilt or height is adjusted manually via the EHC-2 control box while spraying with BoomTrac (for example with a lodged crop at one side of the boom) the system automatically switches to manual mode. To switch back to automatic mode, select BoomTrac softkey A in the menu field. A screen will appear: Select "Actual Height" to accept the current height as new target height or select "Default Height" (which is set in "Job Settings") to return to the previous spray height. See also "GreenStar 2™ Sprayer Control System" section in this manual for more detailed information on operation, setup and calibration of the BoomTrac system.

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IMPORTANT: The working mode "TILT + HEIGHT" should only be used when spraying under the following conditions and crops:

  • Pre-emerge spraying applications (bare soil)

  • Post-emerge spraying with small plants

  • Post-emerge spraying of mature plants with a fully closed canopy

It is not recommended to use the working mode "TILT + HEIGHT" under the following conditions:

  • Spraying tall, upright crops without complete soil coverage (e.g. cereals, rape seed)

  • Spraying plants with large variation of crop density

  • Spraying potato plants at early growth stage before the canopy is closed

In those cases, the working mode "TILT" should be used in order to prevent instability of the boom height regulation system.

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Machine Settings - General Settings with BoomTrac

Boom Tilt Control

To obtain "BoomTrac Settings" select the "BoomTrac" button on "General Settings" tab in "Machine Settings".

The following boom balance control options can be selected in the drop down list:

  • "AUTOMATIC": Boom tilt will be automatically controlled and adjusted via BoomTrac ™ . If BoomTrac is activated, it can be switched (temporarily) to manual control if required on the "Sprayer - Main" page. In that case the boom tilt can be manually operated via the switch 20 (see "Control Boxes" in section "Operation of the machine"). Operation with the potentiometer (rotary switch) is not possible then.
  • "POTENTIOMETER": the boom tilt will be manually controlled and adjusted via the rotary switch 19 (see "Control Boxes" in section "Operation of the machine").
  • "TOGGLE SWITCH": the boom tilt will be manually controlled and adjusted via the toggle switch 20 (see "Control Boxes" in section "Operation of the machine").
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BoomTrac Settings

BoomTrac is a Trademark from Deere & Company

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Boom Tilt Control Regulation Factor

The boom tilt regulation factor is a factor to fine tune the tilt control. This value does not need to be changed under normal conditions. The value is factory set and related to the working width of the boom. By changing this value the sensitivity of the boom tilt regulation can be adjusted.

    The factory settings are:

  • For double folded booms, 18 - 30 m: 60
  • For triple folded booms, 24 - 33 m: 40
  • For triple folded booms, 36 - 39 m: 40
Boom Height Control Dead Band

This value is factory set on 8 cm. In this case the automatic boom height control will not regulate the height when the actual height of the boom during working is within 8 cm of the target boom height. By changing this value the sensitivity of the boom height regulation can be adjusted. By selecting the field it can be opened and the value changed.

Raise Height at Headland Turn

A value to pre-set the height of the boom at the headland (master valve closed at headland) can be entered. This value determines the height of the boom above the spraying height when raised at the headland (with "Boom Headland Management" set to "Raise and Tilt" or "Raise and Stop").

If the value is set to "0", the boom will not be raised at the headland.

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