New mounted direct drill provides cost-effective option for smaller farms
10th January 2024
A mounted version of the Horizon DSX direct drill was launched at the German Agritechnica event in 2023, providing an additional and practical cost-effective option for those moving to reduced, or zero tillage crop establishment regimes.
Manufactured in Lincolnshire alongside Horizon’s larger, trailed models, the mounted toolbar drill is branded the M:DSX and will be offered in 4.0, 4.8, 5.0, and 6.0m working widths, and with 25cm row spacing for the 2024 spring drilling season. A 22cm row spacing option will be offered for autumn this year, and it is likely that a 3.0m drill will also join the line-up later.
Horizon territory manager for North and North and East England, Sam Illingworth, explained that the M:DSX row units offer all the features and benefits of those on current trailed DSX models, with the coulters attached to the main frame through a parallelogram mounting system allowing 320mm of true vertical travel. This means that the 485mm, 10-degree undercut opener disc, depth wheel, seed boot and closing wheel all maintain their pre-set critical working angles throughout the full range of travel, unlike pivot-mounted systems which travel in an arc. The DSX design gives class leading depth control, contour following, and consistent seed channel closing by the pneumatically controlled closing wheels.
Low power and weight requirement
The row units are on a close coupled frame which enables smaller tractors from approximately 150hp to be paired with the widest 6m offering. Using a front hopper to supply the seed and fertiliser provides a very balanced, low weight machine which will appeal to those wanting all the benefits of the Horizon direct disc drill but who would have previously discounted them based on the perceived horsepower requirement.
Versatile hopper with flexible metering
The M:DSX offers the same advantages as its bigger brother in terms of the range of products it can handle as well as flexibility of rates and sowing depths which makes it ideal for companion cropping or placement of granular fertiliser with the seed.
The new drill is designed for use with Horizon’s own FT2200 front hopper, or an existing hopper when available. The FT2200 has 2,200-litres’ capacity, split 60:40 between two pressurised sections each with their own metering units controlled through RDS Isocan electronics.
The FT2200 is not restricted to use with the M:DSX. It can also be used for other applications including the Horizon PPX precision planter which offers granular fertiliser placement through the newly developed opener disc system.
Inter-row compatibility
Being a mounted, single row machine also makes the M:DSX suitable for subsequent inter-row operations such as weeding or mowing. Not only does the drill offer class leading seed depth control, but because it is a linkage-mounted machine, sideways movement is minimal making following operations in-row far more accurate.
All the features, lower cost
Sam said that he believes that the new mounted M:DSX will make the key features and benefits of the Horizon DSX row unit available to a new customer base, including those who are keen to move towards no-till disc drilling, but who would previously only have been able to justify the cost of a second-hand trailed machine that might have seen better days.
The M:DSX is available to order immediately through the Horizon dealer network for delivery early 2024, and is backed by the company’s standard 2-year warranty.
South-East England dealer view
“Since we took on the range last year, we have quickly established a strong relationship with Horizon, and the company’s UK built and designed products are excellent quality and perform very well,” said Ernest Doe Power general sales manager, Ed Perry. “The company is young and dynamic with a very strong emphasis on cutting edge design, and we believe that the existing DSX drill is currently the best on the market.
“The trailed DSX is competitively priced, but any big, trailed drill has a hefty price tag and I believe that the mounted M:DSX will allow many farmers who can’t justify a big, trailed drill to access this industry-leading drilling system for a significantly lower cost,” Ed continued. “The popular 25cm row spacing isn’t an option on all mounted direct drills launched recently by Horizon’s competitors, but we believe it offers significant advantages including the ability to adopt mechanical weeding techniques helping reduce dependence on chemicals and to farm more sustainably – something that is attracting more interest across our trading area.”
Demonstrations being booked
Along with the Horizon trailed DSX drill, Ernest Doe and Ernest Doe Power will be running a mounted 6m M:DSX drill and PPX precision planter in the spring, explained Ed.
All the Horizon products will be on display at the dealer’s annual Doe Show, 6–8th February, at Ulting.
