Hardi is launching Auto Terrain Pro, an upgraded automatic boom stabilisation system for its Twin Force and Delta Force spray booms, with a starting price of €8,000 and availability on working widths from 24 to 39 metres.

The Danish sprayer manufacturer has added a sensor on the sprayer's rear axle — the key development in the new system. That sensor detects when the machine passes through a hollow or over a bump in the field. The boom corrects immediately based on the deflection the sensor registers, rather than reacting after the movement has already disturbed the spray pattern.

Importer Homburg Holland, based in Stijs in Friesland, says the result is a more consistent spray pattern. The boom no longer needs correction after every field irregularity; the system's priority is keeping it level in the first place.

How does the new suspension work?

Alongside the added sensor, Hardi has modified the boom suspension itself. Engineers fitted an additional cylinder, branded the Smart cylinder, which works as a damper absorbing the boom's corrective movements.

The practical effect, according to Hardi, is that height corrections become less jerky. Instead of the boom snapping back into position after each adjustment — a common cause of uneven deposit at the boom ends — the cylinder smooths the transition, holding the nozzle at a steadier height above the crop.

What about extra sensors?

As standard, the boom carries three ultrasonic sensors to measure height above the crop. Buyers can specify a fourth or fifth sensor as an option.

Homburg does not expect strong demand for those extras in the Netherlands, because additional sensors mainly pay off on hilly terrain where crop distance varies more sharply across the boom. The importer also confirms all sensors in the system are maintenance-free — a point that matters for contractors running high hour counts through the spraying season.

Why does this change a field decision?

Boom stabilisation has moved from a comfort feature to an accuracy feature. At 39 metres, a boom tip travelling over uneven ground can swing through a height range that puts part of the spray at the wrong distance from the target, hurting both coverage and drift control. A system that predicts boom movement from axle deflection — rather than reacting afterwards — closes that gap.

The €8,000 entry price positions Auto Terrain Pro as a specification decision rather than an automatic choice: growers on flat, uniform parcels may find the standard three-sensor setup sufficient, while those on rolling ground or running wide booms at higher work rates have a stronger case for the option and the extra sensors.

What should farmers watch next?

Auto Terrain Pro is available now through Hardi dealers on Twin Force and Delta Force booms from 24 to 39 metres. Buyers comparing specifications should confirm sensor count and pricing for their chosen width with their dealer, and watch for the first field reports on how the Smart cylinder performs over a full season of high-speed spraying.