An integrated breakaway cylinder for controlling a boom of a self-propelled sprayer and method for constructing a boom assembly is disclosed in the present application. The integrated breakaway cylinder is constructed from a first stage cylinder and a second stage cylinder. The first stage cylinder is configured in a rod and barrel arrangement. The second stage cylinder is also configured in a rod and barrel arrangement, with the barrel of the first stage cylinder serving as the rod of the second stage cylinder. The first stage cylinder operates to extend and retract a boom. The second stage cylinder operates to absorb shock from inertia or the boom impacting an object. The design of various embodiments of the present invention couples the operation of maneuvering a boom with shock absorption into a single integrated cylinder.