Quantum leap for Morris seeder technology

Freshly released at the Canada Farm Progress Show at Regina, Saskatchewan, Morris’ Quantum air drill features some ground-breaking designs which the company said will take seeding operations to the next level.

Also currently available in Australia via McIntosh Distribution, the new drill offers significant improvements over its existing drill offerings to allow farmers to dig deeper in the toughest of conditions, Morris said.

“In Canada, the Quantum was initially torture tested over 800 hectares of stony country without a fault and so far in Australia this season, it has undergone rigorous testing over nearly 10,000ha with a similar result,” said McIntosh Distribution director, Cam McIntosh.

“Due to the dry start of the season this year, it was some of the toughest conditions farmers had ever worked tillage into, with absolutely no moisture down at depth, and it worked for them extremely well.

“On 30cm spacings, they were working 10cm deep and seeding at 1.5 to 2cm, and they were consistently achieving that in a wide variety of conditions.

“Neighbouring farmers who had to stop seeding due to the conditions and viewed the Quantum acknowledged that if they had something similar, they would still have been seeding.”

According to McIntosh, patent-pending, interlocking frame technology replacing butt joints made the Quantum 154 per cent stronger than previous drills. In comparison, the Quantum is also heavier with stronger openers featuring 2.5-centimetre chrome pins.

The Quantum also offers more shank spacing options, 75 per cent less parts and 60 per cent less weldments. It has 3m controlled traffic capability and folds to a transport width of 5.4m.

In addition to the frame technology, the new 10 x 15cm (4 x 6 inches) tubular frames on the Quantum are connected with chrome pins that are 27 per cent larger than those used on previous machines.

The redesigned heavy-duty hitch uses 20 per cent more steel than previous hitches and is connected to the frame with chrome pins that fit into hardened steel bushings. The Morris Quantum air drill also comes with larger stainless-steel divider heads that offer increased lifespans as they are less prone to plugging.

Morris Industries President and Chief Executive Officer, Ben Voss, said the Quantum air drill represented a massive shift from the company’s earlier approach and brought world-class manufacturing technology to agriculture.

“That said, it comes to market built with the same practical, hands-on producer learnings that have been a foundation of our company,’’ he said.

Morris Corporate Agronomist, Garth Massie, said the design and manufacturing improvements would allow farmers to plant more hectares per day and deliver agronomic benefits.

“At the end of the day, it’s about performance. The first and most important step in maximising yield potential is rapid, uniform crop emergence. Poorly established crops never achieve their full yield potential,” Massie explained.

“Consistent depth control, seed and fertiliser separation and soil-seed contact are the dominant factors that influence rapid, uniform crop emergence and minimise seed mortality. Rapid, uniform crop emergence is the hallmark of well-designed seeding equipment.

“The Quantum drill’s superior design results in the most precise depth control and ground following among independent hoe opener drills – a key component in rapid, uniform crop emergence for maximised yield potential.”

He said the row unit utilised parallel linkage with a one-to-one opener-to-packer ratio, and the Quantum drill’s trash flow characteristics improved agronomic performance.

Adapted from the trash flow design of the Morris C2 Contour, the Quantum raises the lowest catch point on the opener by 60 per cent and reclines the opener shank 12 degrees, allowing farmers to plant in taller stubble without sacrificing seed placement precision.

“Eliminating bunching and piles of crop residue collecting on the shank of the opener is important during shallow seeding,” Massie said.

“These residue bunches interfere with the flow of soil around the opener and filling the furrow before packing, resulting in uncovered seed and spotty germination.”

For more information on the new Morris Quantum air drill, visit innovationunearthed.com