Topcon Agriculture has announced the launch of the UC7 Plus, its most advanced boom height control system to date, marking a significant evolution in agricultural spraying technology. Built on the trusted foundation of Topcon’s legacy Norac boom height control systems, the UC7 Plus introduces state-of-the-art features that aim to enhance spraying accuracy, reduce input costs, and improve overall operational efficiency in the field.
The UC7 Plus is designed for use with a broad range of both self-propelled and pull-type sprayers, offering exceptional compatibility for growers and crop service providers looking to upgrade their existing equipment or invest in new precision spraying systems. The introduction of this advanced control system comes at a time when the agricultural industry is increasingly focused on operational sustainability, cost efficiency, and improved crop performance.
Advanced Sensor Technology for Precision and Durability
At the heart of the UC7 Plus is a suite of new and enhanced sensor technologies that significantly improve the system’s reliability, accuracy, and adaptability in various field conditions. The system includes the Dynamic Chassis Sensor (DCS-1), which provides real-time feedback to the control system, enhancing boom stability and responsiveness even on uneven or changing terrain. The DCS-1 helps reduce boom oscillation and minimizes the risk of ground contact or over-application, which can damage crops and equipment.
Complementing the DCS-1 are the MS-1 sensors equipped with MAX Sense™ ultrasonic technology. These sensors are engineered to offer improved detection and measurement capabilities, even in challenging environmental conditions such as hilly terrain, dense crop canopies, or variable soil structures. Housed in corrosion-resistant glass-filled nylon casings, the MS-1 sensors are built to withstand tough field conditions. Additional features include a protective transducer screen to prevent debris intrusion and multi-axis venting to maintain internal pressure balance, ensuring long-term performance and durability.
These enhancements collectively provide operators with improved boom height consistency, enabling more accurate spray coverage and helping to reduce chemical drift and waste.
A Powerful Upgrade for Cost-Saving and Sustainability
According to Topcon Agriculture Vice President and Segment Leader for Smart Implements, Nick Townsend, the UC7 Plus represents a critical step forward in enabling growers to lower their total cost of operation while improving results in the field.
“The combination of proven legacy solutions with the latest in precision technology serves up an extreme opportunity for lower operating and input costs, and lower equipment repair costs,” Townsend explained. “Spraying system advances increasingly provide farmers and service providers with an opportunity to achieve a greater return on investment on their equipment, either through upgrades or new investments. The UC7 Plus directly drives those savings.”
Beyond financial considerations, the system also supports broader agricultural sustainability goals by helping ensure precise application of crop protection products. “These new capabilities also improve sustainability efforts in applying only the needed amount of spray, where it is needed, to achieve the best results — supporting compliance efforts, cost savings, and optimal crop performance,” Townsend added.
Enhancing the Operator Experience
One of the often-overlooked aspects of spraying operations is the stress and fatigue placed on operators. Traditional systems require constant attention and manual adjustments to maintain proper boom height across changing terrain. The UC7 Plus dramatically reduces this burden through intelligent automation.
With its advanced boom height automation, the system continuously adjusts boom levels in real time to match field contours, allowing operators to focus more on overall spraying strategy and machine performance rather than minute-by-minute terrain monitoring. This not only improves safety and reduces operator fatigue but also enhances spraying precision and consistency throughout the job.
The UC7 Plus offers scalable control settings that can be customized to suit various application scenarios, crop types, and operating preferences. This makes it especially suitable for operators who manage diverse farm operations or those who want to gradually implement precision spraying technologies into their existing workflows.
Broad Compatibility and Upgrade Potential
The UC7 Plus has been engineered for wide compatibility, allowing it to be seamlessly integrated with most existing self-propelled and pull-type sprayers on the market. This makes it an ideal solution for both incremental upgrades and full system overhauls. Growers looking to modernize their operations without replacing entire machines will find the UC7 Plus a cost-effective and highly impactful investment.
Its modular design also allows users to add features and capabilities as needed, supporting long-term adaptability as new technologies and farming practices emerge. This ensures that the UC7 Plus remains a future-ready solution in a rapidly evolving agricultural landscape.
Proven Performance Improvements
Topcon’s internal testing and performance data suggest that the UC7 Plus can improve overall spraying performance by up to 30 percent. This includes enhancements in spray accuracy, reductions in chemical use, fuel savings, decreased wear and tear on equipment, and improved labor efficiency. These cumulative benefits not only translate to better economic outcomes but also support environmental stewardship by minimizing over-application and runoff.
A Vision for Smarter Farming
Topcon’s introduction of the UC7 Plus underscores its broader commitment to supporting farms of all sizes with smart, accessible technology solutions. “We believe in accessibility to these technologies and the practical benefits they deliver to farms around the world — this is a simple and powerful example of intelligent technology evolution for the greater good of all farms and systems,” Townsend noted.
As farms face rising input costs, increasing regulatory pressures, and growing demands for productivity, tools like the UC7 Plus play a pivotal role in helping them adapt and thrive. Whether it’s by improving sustainability metrics, achieving better application outcomes, or reducing reliance on manual adjustments, Topcon’s latest innovation is set to make a meaningful impact across global agriculture.
With the launch of the UC7 Plus, Topcon Agriculture continues to reinforce its leadership in precision agriculture by delivering real-world solutions that are not only technologically advanced but also practical, scalable, and built with the farmer in mind.
