IMPROVED seeding efficiency, accuracy and uniformity; easy operation and no hassles with any liquids; perhaps even get the job done a little quicker; and then marvel at the best crop germination and establishment you’ve ever seen.
It’s the wishlist for everyone heading into another seeding season, and for a host of growers receiving delivery of the latest Morris 10 Series air carts, coupled with the manufacturer’s Quantum air drills, it’s what they’re all looking forward to.
Comprising seven models offering capacities ranging from 20,890-34,701 litres, the Morris 10 Series was launched in Australia during last season and following sales quickly exceeded expectations.
Duncan Murdoch, National Morris Product Manager with Australian distributor, McIntosh Distribution, said in addition to remaining in paddocks for longer and enjoying less filling time with the large capacity carts, improved tank configuration to better suit seeding application rates was a key attraction with growers.
The Morris 10 Series carts feature three similar granular tank capacities or two similar larger tanks with a liquid tank, plus a small seeds ‘Optimizer’ tank.
Duncan said growers also liked the fully-integrated, stainless-steel liquid tanks, and the latest pumping module offered much higher agitation capacity – 356 litres compared to 128L or optional 180L previously.
He said load cells now under every granular tank would drive greater precision in application rate accuracy and uniformity, including via rate optimisation when a product is shared between two tanks, which also results in the tanks emptying at the same time.
“This is the solution to growers’ perennial frustration at seeding concerning the difference between the calibrated rate and the applied rate that occurs due to product density changes in tanks,” Duncan said.
“The load cells remove this discrepancy by picking up the density changes as product is metered. They adjust the speed of the meter shaft to enable application of the correct rate on every single hectare.
“Across the industry, rate discrepancies can be 10 per cent and even higher in some circumstances, but growers are now looking at just 1-2pc with this new system.”
New electric metering with the Morris 10 Series carts, aided by the use of brushless motors, also allows accurate application of very low seeding rates, down to 1 kilogram/ha of canola.
“Growers recognise the electrically-driven system is very reliable and it will also simplify the hydraulic system, minimising the incidence of hydraulic leaks,” Duncan said.
Larger fans used with the Morris 10 Series have increased air capacity as well, ensuring they consistently supply the air volumes required and can cater for larger tillage bars.
The Morris Quantum air drills, which complement the air carts with their renowned digging ability and seeding precision, have continued to attract strong support.
“We budgeted for a quieter year, but have been pleasantly surprised with the level of current orders, particularly for the Quantum air drills,” Duncan said.
“Coming off a dry seeding, the results and reliability of the Quantum have kept demand surprisingly strong.”
He said following some early refinements and improvements with the air drills, growers had recognised their superior performance in helping them “grow better crops”.
Morris Auto-Lift and Auto-Pack technologies have played a key role in the cropping gains. Supported by live hydraulics, Auto-Lift allows automatic lowering and lifting of tines, while Auto-Pack automatically adjusts packing pressures, resulting in correctly closed and packed furrows for an ideal seedbed environment.
The Robertson family near Kulin has just taken delivery of a new, smaller Morris Quantum air drill to better suit their tractor horsepower and they are looking forward to continuing to reap the benefits of precision sowing this season.
“We’ve had a lot more even crop germination and establishment, and the paddocks are staying cleaner (with the better crop competition),” said Jay Robertson.
“We’ve certainly had some of our best yields the last few years. It’s about getting it in at the right time and in the right spot with that accuracy. You’ve got to be able to get that precision with seeding.”
Another enhancement with the Quantum air drills for the coming season has been the availability of FlowIQ liquid kits designed to suit all models of the air drills, and which also can be retrofitted to earlier-manufactured Morris Quantum and Contour drills.
Developed by McIntosh Distribution in conjunction with Furrow Management Systems Australia (FMSA) and Primary Sales Australia, the FlowIQ kits incorporate the use of a tailor-made friction tube assembly that’s carefully configured on the drills and with seeding boots.
“The new FlowIQ kits eliminate messy routing of friction tubing. They are designed to be ‘factory-fitted’ with specific brackets, fittings and layouts. They are simple to manage and much more reliable to use,” Duncan said.
“We have developed single and dual liquid kits that provide more accurate and reliable application of deep-banded liquid fertiliser. The dual kits allow application of soil wetter with the seed in conjunction with liquid fertiliser. Both deep-banded liquid fertiliser and wetter kits are available to suit either section control or variable rate applications, depending on air cart configurations.”
For more information on the new Morris 10 Series air carts, Quantum air drills and latest developments with the machines, growers can contact their nearest Morris dealer.
