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Morrison CA-1000 Seeder

 

Mass produced farm machines made for CA are intended for large farms and consequently require a large capital investment, consume a lot of fuel and are expensive to maintain. Prof.  John Morrison developed a solution for small farms to quickly expand their productivity and maximize the growing season. He developed a 1-row CA seeder that attaches to a 2-wheel tractor and plants at a precise depth and distance apart on many types of terrain. The CA seeder has completed testing and is now in production.  In response to requests, WHT is offering the Morrison CA-1000 seeder, ruggedized to last for generations, through our website.  The tractor Grillo model 85D, shown below, can also be purchased here. Various other tractor models can be purchased as well to suit different needs.

 

Historyof the CA Seeder 1000

 

In 2008, the first prototype of the CA-Seeder was developed in response to needs voiced by agency workers in Africa.  This prototype was front-mounted on a 2-wheel tractor (2WT).  With the assistance of faculty of the Institute of Agriculture, University of Tennessee, in 2009, the seeder was field-tested seeding maize and beans at three locations. 

In 2010, ACT and FAO sponsored field-testing and further development of the initial-prototype seeder at Intermech Engineering Co. in Morogoro, Tanzania.  This provided needed experience and design considerations under the field conditions found on smallholder farms in East Africa.

 

In 2012, WHT organized a demonstration of a second-generation pivoting front-mounted prototype seeder to the engineering staff at KNUST, Kumasi, Ghana, where several limitations of the front-mounting of the seeder design were identified. 

 

Following discussions with the consultant, Mr. Scott Justice, and others, the seeder design was modified to be rear-mounted.  Foot pads were added so the operator could ride on the seeder, rather than having to walk behind the 2WT.  This model was demonstrated and tested in the states of Kentucky and Tennessee, USA, in 2012-13 and demonstrated at a CIMMYT field tour in Kenya, September 2013.

 

In 2013, two of these rear-mounted seeder prototypes, and in 2014, one early-production model of the CA-Seeder 1000 entered testing in E. Africa as part of the FACASI Project, coordinated by CIMMYT and sponsored/implemented by ACIAR/AIFSRC, ACT, CARMATEC, EIAR, FAO, IDE, IFPRI, KENDAT, NARS, MOAs, SARI, SIMLESA, PSC, ZimCLIFS, and associates. 

 

In 2013-14, the owner of SMTI, Mr. Mike Garrabrant, refined the design of the seeder for manufacturability and durability and had computerized drawings created so that parts could be laser cut and precision welded for economical volume production. 

 

In 2014, SMTI began manufacturing the first production model, the CA-Seeder 1000, and one of these seeders entered field testing by CIMMYT in Mexico.  Domestic sales are being handled by SMTI and not-for-profit international distribution by WHT.

Seeder Design:

  • Engineered design around a 3” tubular frame for strength and durability

  • Soil-engaging components are proven to be durable and damage-resistant

  • Stainless steel seed and fertilizer hoppers are resistant to corrosion

  • Seeder is designed to clear a path through old-crop residues for uniform seeding performance

  • Seeder is durable for use in rocky as well as in friable soils

 

Seeder Features:

  • Fits onto any 2Wt with an appropriate hitch attachment

  • Easily hitched to 2WT with one hitch pin

  • Operator can ride the machine while seeding

  • Operator can ride the machine to the field in the transport mode

  • Compact size and light weight of Seeder allow the use by female farmers

  • Dual-chamber seed metering easily accommodates very-small to large seed

 

Adjustments:

  • Seeding depth is adjusted with the placement of one pin

  • Seeding rate is adjusted with the turn of one hand-knob

  • Starter-fertilizer rate is adjusted with the turn of one hand-knob

 

Other Uses:

  • Easily configured for use as a “strip-till” machine prior to seeding

  • Easily configured for use as a fertilizer ‘side-dress” applicator

  • Will seed normally in a plowed field

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