Ditch Assist™ is a trusted brand of Northern Plains Drainage Systems, proudly engineered and manufactured in Manitoba, Canada. Providing simple, affordable, and precise RTK GPS grade control solutions, Ditch Assist helps farmers, contractors, and landowners across North America, Latin America, and beyond  maintain accurate grades on every drainage and land leveling project. The original Ditch Assist system automates grade control for scrapers, ditchers, blades, and plows, simplifying farm drainage and land leveling. For excavator operators, Ditch Assist X™ expands capabilities with seamless grade control integration, while Ditch Assist DIG™ offers a standalone, laser-free solution for precise, hassle-free excavator guidance. Built by drainage and agriculture technology experts, right here in Manitoba, Ditch Assist is designed for real-world performance, reliability, and ease of use.

Field-Proven Reliability. Local Expertise You Can Trust.

Drainage and grading mistakes cost valuable time, money, and productivity—don’t take risks with unproven solutions. Since 2014, Ditch Assist™, developed and built by Northern Plains Drainage Systems, has delivered consistent, dependable RTK grade control for drainage, land-leveling, and excavation projects across North and South America. Our systems blend years of practical field experience with continuous input from farmers, contractors, and operators to deliver solutions that work reliably in real-world conditions.

With Ditch Assist, you’re backed by the industry’s most knowledgeable dealers and ongoing support from the very people who engineered and built your system.

Key Benefits:

• Proven Reliability: Trusted performance, field-tested since 2014.

• Built by Drainage Experts: Engineered and manufactured by real people who understand your needs.

• Continuous Innovation: Regular updates and improvements driven by real-world customer feedback.

• Exceptional Dealer Support: Local, expert product knowledge at every step.

Ditch Assist™: RTK Grade Control for Scrapers, Ditchers, Blades, and Levelers

Ditch Assist™ is the ideal RTK GPS grade control system for precision surface drainage, land leveling, and farm drainage design. Engineered and built in Manitoba, Canada, it integrates with a wide range of earth-moving equipment including all hydraulically operated pull-type scrapers, rotary ditchers like the Wolverine Ditcher™, Eagle Ditcher™, and T-REX Ditcher™, land levelers and blades like Pulldozer™, and many more.  Ditch Assist may also be used to control grade on many pitch and cantiliver Tile Plows, including the Soil-Max Stealth ZD™. Whether you’re operating a land-leveling scraper, box blade, grader blade, or rotary ditcher, Ditch Assist automates machine control to maintain accurate grade and consistent drainage results. Replace outdated laser leveling systems with reliable, easy-to-use RTK machine control technology, maximizing your productivity and minimizing downtime on drainage and grading projects.

Ideal for:

• Farmers and contractors using pull-type scrapers, rotary ditchers, land leveling blades, or tile plows.

• Projects requiring precise surface drainage control, field leveling, and automated grade control.

Ditch Assist X™: Advanced Grade Guidance for Excavators and Backhoes​

Ditch Assist X™ is an add-on to the original Ditch Assist system, designed to provide real-time grade guidance for excavators and backhoes. Utilizing RTK GPS and machine-mounted sensors, it offers operators precise information on bucket elevation, ensuring accurate digging without the need for manual grade checks or laser setups. This system is particularly beneficial for tasks requiring meticulous excavation, such as trenching and foundation work.

Ideal for:

• Operators who already use Ditch Assist and wish to extend its capabilities to excavators or backhoes.​

• Excavation projects demanding high precision and real-time grade feedback.

Ditch Assist DIG™: Standalone RTK Grade Control for Excavators​

Ditch Assist DIG™ offers a standalone, user-friendly solution for excavator grade control, serving as an efficient alternative to traditional laser systems. It provides accurate, real-time grade guidance through a web-based interface accessible on various devices, eliminating the need for complex installations or additional hardware. This system is ideal for operators seeking a straightforward method to achieve precise on-grade digging without integrating into existing Ditch Assist setups.​

Ideal for:

• Excavator operators requiring a simple, standalone grade control system.​

• Users looking to replace or upgrade from traditional laser-based grade control methods.

Ditch Assist X

Ditch Assist X is engineered as an add-on to the original Ditch Assist system. It’s perfect for users who want to expand their system’s capabilities beyond surface drainage to include excavator and backhoe guidance.

Key benefits include:

• Advanced Survey & Design: Using the familiar Ditch Assist app, Ditch Assist X lets you import a survey of your proposed route and leverage Slope-IQ™ to create best-fit or fully customized designs—including curved routes, which traditional laser systems can’t handle.

• Integrated Functionality: It works seamlessly with your existing Ditch Assist Control Module. For excavator applications, you’ll need the Ditch Assist Guidance Only Kit plus the Ditch Assist X Kit. If you plan to use the system on both surface machines (scrapers, ditchers, blades) and excavators, the Full Automation Kit is recommended.

• Enhanced Features: Enjoy features like on-screen mapping, Auto Nudge for precise cut depths, and the ability to import design files that include survey heights and target elevations.

Ditch Assist DIG

Ditch Assist DIG was developed as a standalone, streamlined solution for excavator grade control. It’s ideal for users who only require a simple, reliable method to dig to grade—without the advanced features of Ditch Assist X.

Key benefits include:

• Simplicity: DIG is designed for straightforward, straight-line grade control. Simply enter your target grade, set your reference point, and start digging—the system automatically computes the grade based on a straight-line survey back to your start.

• Ease of Use: Featuring a one-screen, web-based interface accessible on any device via Wi-Fi, DIG is incredibly easy to operate.

• No Additional System Needed: DIG works independently, so you don’t need to invest in the full Ditch Assist system if your focus is solely on excavation.

Bottom Line

• Choose Ditch Assist X if you need advanced functionality—such as the ability to grade curved routes, import complex design files, and integrate with your existing Ditch Assist system for multiple applications (surface drainage, land leveling, and excavation).

• Choose Ditch Assist DIG if you prefer a simple, standalone solution solely for excavator on-grade guidance. It’s ideal if you need an effective laser replacement without the extra bells and whistles.

Still not sure which system fits your needs? Contact us, and we’ll help you decide whether the full capabilities of Ditch Assist X or the streamlined simplicity of Ditch Assist DIG will provide the best value for your projects.

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Farmers, contractors, and construction professionals: are you ready to upgrade from outdated drainage and grade control systems that consume time and resources? Ditch Assist offers a comprehensive solution designed to simplify your workflow and enhance productivity.​

Engineered with Expertise, Built for Performance

Developed by the specialists at Northern Plains Drainage Systems in Manitoba, Canada, Ditch Assist provides precise RTK GPS grade control tailored to your equipment:​

• Ditch Assist™: Ideal for pull-type scrapers, rotary ditchers, land levelers, and tile plows, this system automates blade adjustments to maintain accurate grades, streamlining surface drainage, land leveling, and tile drainage projects.​

• Ditch Assist X™: An expansion of the original system, Ditch Assist X brings real-time grade guidance to excavators and backhoes, ensuring precise digging without the need for manual grade checks or laser setups.​

• Ditch Assist DIG™: A standalone, user-friendly solution for excavator grade control, Ditch Assist DIG serves as an efficient alternative to traditional laser systems, offering accurate, real-time grade guidance through a web-based interface accessible on various devices.​

Embrace Versatility and Efficiency

Whether you’re creating ditches, leveling fields, shaping land, or installing tile drainage, Ditch Assist adapts to your needs. Compatible with a wide range of machinery, regardless of brand or age, it integrates seamlessly with your existing tractors, implements, and GPS systems. Transitioning between implements is effortless, empowering you to tackle any project with confidence.​

Innovative Technology at Your Fingertips

Ditch Assist eliminates the need for expensive bundled displays by utilizing a free Android app on a 10-inch tablet, providing an intuitive interface that simplifies operation. Updates are straightforward, ensuring you always have the latest features without the hassle of manual downloads or USB sticks.​

Unparalleled Support

Our knowledgeable dealers are committed to providing exceptional support and guidance, ensuring you maximize the benefits of your Ditch Assist system.​

Choose Ditch Assist Today

Upgrade to Ditch Assist and experience a new level of efficiency and precision in your operations.​

For more information, call us at 1-877-354-2899.