In addition to the British manufacturers popular single pass drill range, including the new Mzuri IPASS, the team will be showcasing their new low disturbance subsoiler at this year’s event.
Designed to complement direct drilling establishment, the Rehab is available in 3, 4 and 6 metres, with a generous leg spacing of 500mm and a stagger of 750mm for free movement of crop residue.
Spring loaded discs provide clean cutting action through residues and topsoil whilst pivoting to avoid stones. Mounted on individual disc arms, the leading discs self-adjust to follow the contours of the ground to ensure accurate engagement across the width of the machine.
Following the disc, a 15mm hardened steel leg features a replaceable tungsten carbide tipped point to pierce and lift the soil profile whilst creating minimal surface disturbance.
Operators can determine the level of fracture through the profile by a choice of three wing widths including 55mm, 115mm and 135mm. For protection, ‘Hammer-thru’ shear pins minimise downtime whilst ensuring maximum draft control and maintain the correct draft angle of the wing for more efficient working.
Behind the legs, follows a substantial packer roller with V profile rings, strategically spaced to reconsolidate either side of the leg to create a weatherproof finish ready for drilling.
For over ten years the Mzuri system has been popular with farmers looking to reduce cultivation and invest in a reliable one-pass establishment system. In that time, the concept has remained steadfast in its straightforward and well thought out design which has consistently delivered reliable yields, quick, even establishment, and a reduction in input costs for growers ever since its inception.
Now the British manufacturer launches an additional drill into its existing range – the Mzuri IPASS. Built on the same core principles as the existing range, the Mzuri IPASS has been developed to offer growers higher output, efficient low disturbance seeding.
The new model will be on display at LAMMA on Mzuri’s stand 19.360, held over 4th and 5th of May at the NEC Birmingham.
Pressurised Tank for efficient seed and fertiliser delivery
The IPASS boasts a 5000-litre pressurised tank to meter and convey high application seed and fertiliser rates accurately at higher forward speeds. The large capacity tank features four variable speed electric metering units for efficient delivery across the width of the machine. Two units control fertiliser and two control seed giving operators the option to shut off half of the width.
The IPASS metering system can accommodate all fertiliser compounds and seed types typical of most arable operations including small OSR and grass seeds to large maize and winter beans.
Low Disturbance Coulter Assembly
A unique coulter configuration gives the Mzuri IPASS excellent seeding capabilities into a range of surface types including cover crops, stubble, grassland and even cultivated ground. The leading disc cuts through surface residue, slicing the field surface to promote lower disturbance of the following coulters. The primary knife coulter clears trash from the till and band places fertiliser below the seeding zone. A secondary seeding coulter follows on a unique ball joint system to allow the coulter to self-steer behind the path of the band placed fertiliser.
Suspended by an independent parallel linkage the coulter angle is unaffected by seeding depth regardless of terrain. Individual V-shaped depth wheels offer exceptional reconsolidation behind the seeded zone, whilst also maintaining accurate seeding depth across the width of the machine for even emergence.
The Mzuri iPass is available in widths of 4.0m, 4.8m, 6.0m and 8.0m and operators can choose between two row spacing options per model.
Mzuri have started to take orders for the IPASS with a strong interest from growers who are looking to achieve high output lower disturbance drilling, all whilst retaining the flexibility and reliability to drill into a range of soil and surface types.
Quote from Mzuri Founder and Engineer, Martin Lole –
“I am extremely excited about this new drill and have been involved in its development over the last three years. Our initial goal was to continue to take further the huge financial benefits that the Mzuri system has brought to our customers, including reductions in fuel usage and savings to labour. However, with recent events in Ukraine and the soaring fertiliser prices taking us in the region of £1 per kilo, the benefits of band placing fertiliser, fast outstrip any remaining doubt surrounding this type of system and contribute to savings of an almost unimaginable level.”
“In particular, for spring crops where the effectiveness of broadcast fertiliser in dry weather is questionable, if we were to band place it during drilling, I would expect to use half of the usual amount thanks to it being delivered where the crop needs it below the soil line and into moisture, reducing the amount lost to the atmosphere.”
“For spring cropping, by band placing fertiliser we are using up to 100kg less fertiliser per hectare when compared prior to adopting a one-pass system.”
“Considering diesel savings, man-hour savings, capital investment and fertiliser savings, (and on this farm increasing yields) – the financial benefits of this drill are enormous and too valuable to be ignored.”
After three years of intensive development, the long awaited Mzuri IPASS will be on display at LAMMA, ahead of its official launch this Summer in Poland.
Mzuri Founder and engineer Martin Lole talks of the new development: “We are incredibly excited about the iPass which joins our range as a low disturbance, high output direct drill. We have thought carefully about producing what we believe to be the next generation seed drill that is equally at home with cover crops or stubble as it is with cultivated ground.”
“The IPASS features a front disc to cut residue and reduce overall soil disturbance, followed by a primary and secondary coulter system to deliver band placed fertiliser and seed.”
“It’s this system combined with a clever ball joint and independent parallel linkage assembly that ensures the coulters remain in constant contact with the ground, delivering seed at an accurate depth across undulating terrain.”
“We started the development of this new model to take further the huge financial benefits that the Mzuri system has brought to our customers, including reductions in fuel usage and savings to labour. However, with recent events in Ukraine and the soaring fertiliser prices taking us in the region of £1 per kilo, the benefits of band placing fertiliser, fast outstrip any remaining doubt surrounding this type of system and contribute to savings of an almost unimaginable level.”
“In particular, for spring crops where the effectiveness of broadcast fertiliser in dry weather is questionable, if we were to band place it during drilling, I would expect to use half of the usual amount thanks to it being delivered where the crop needs it below the soil line and into moisture, reducing the amount lost to the atmosphere.”
“For spring cropping, by band placing fertiliser we are using up to 100kg less fertiliser per hectare when compared prior to adopting a one-pass system.”
“Considering diesel savings, man-hour savings, capital investment and fertiliser savings, (and on this farm increasing yields) – the financial benefits of this drill are enormous and too valuable to be ignored.”
Filmed for a virtual student tour last year, Martin Lole walks us through the build of the Pro-Til from start to finish. In this video Martin demonstrates the unique design features that makes Mzuri a market leader in innovation.
After five years of having the oilseed rape at the 1000ha Penlynn Estate, Llwynhelig, Cowbridge in Wales established by a contractor using the Mzuri strip-till system, the estate has bought its own 4m Pro-Til 4T model and a stubble rake for the coming season.
The crop accounts for about a quarter of the 400ha of arable area, and was previously established using a Biodrill on a TopDown cultivator. “As a break crop it’s becoming increasingly marginal to grow, so strip tillage will help reduce establishment costs while improving soil health and structure,” says assistant manager Damien Burnell.
Tillage Mag reports.