Precision Planting’s new Morton, Illinois, operation center is a 510,000-square-foot assembly and distribution facility for precision-agriculture retrofit technology. AGCO said the center began assembling and shipping products in October 2023 and was designed to consolidate eight nearby locations and expand capacity for equipment upgrades farmers can add to machinery they already own.
What the Morton operation center does
The site is a manufacturing and logistics hub, not Precision Planting’s headquarters. It assembles and ships retrofit products including planting sensors, yield monitors, and fertilizer-application technology, according to AGCO’s January 16, 2024 announcement. AGCO said the Morton operation consolidated eight locations in the Tri-County area.
The business model is to add technology to existing farm equipment rather than require farmers to replace an entire machine. Precision Planting general manager Keith Crow described that “retrofit first” approach as the reason for investing in more capacity. The facility’s scale is intended to help assemble components into kits and distribute them to customers around the world.
Where it is and how large it is
The center is at 801 Agriculture Drive, Morton, IL 61550, according to Precision Planting’s contact page. Successful Farming reported that Morton is about 10 miles from Precision Planting’s Tremont location. AGCO reported the facility’s size as 510,000 square feet in January 2024.
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- 6 SEED PLATES: switch up the plate depending on your type of vegetable, works with up to 20 seed types - baby Lima beans, baby beans, medium beans, medium peas, sunflower, cucumber, corn, sweet corn, small beets, radishes, Brussels sprouts, rutabaga, parsnips, spinach, cabbage, broccoli, rhubarb, endive, carrots, cauliflower, celery, kale, lettuce, onions, peppers, turnips
- 1.5 LITER HOPPER: poly, rust-resistant seed hopper holds up to 1.5 liters of vegetable seeds, supported on a durable, powder-coated steel frame; work comfortably with the cushioned handle grips
- MARK, PREP, PLACE, COVER: do all four by simple pushing the seeder; marks the row, plows the row with the zinc plow blade, places the seeds and covers the row, with the wide rear wheel, as you walk through your garden
- ROW MARKER: adjustable rotating wheel row marker provides correct width for the next row; fully customizable depending on the type of seeds being planted; set it before starting if you’re planting the same seeds and adjust when switching to a new seed
- DESIGNED AND ENGINEERED IN THE USA: designed by Chapin engineers in Batavia, NY and backed by Chapin’s 1-year limited warranty
Products, capacity, and distribution reach
AGCO said the plant was expected to produce more than 40 product lines when fully operational, and that products assembled and shipped from the site go to more than 30 countries. The 40-line figure was a planned full-operation capacity, not a confirmation that all lines had reached that level by the announcement date.
The broader retrofit portfolio extends beyond planters. Precision Planting’s current About page describes products for planters, air seeders and drills, sprayers, liquid and dry fertilizer applicators, and combines. That range helps explain why the facility was framed as supporting technology across the crop cycle rather than one machine type.
Rank #2
- EFFICIENT GARDEN PLANTING: Designed to help reduce back strain during planting while supporting easier seed distribution in prepared and well-cultivated garden soil
- VERSATILE SEED COMPATIBILITY: Includes 7 interchangeable seed plates with configurations that accommodate up to 20 different seed types and sizes for flexible planting use
- CONSISTENT SEED-TO-SOIL CONTACT: Wide rear wheel helps provide reliable seed-to-soil contact during planting to support improved placement and more consistent garden rows
- PRECISE ROW SPACING CONTROL: Adjustable row marker allows more accurate spacing between planting rows, while the rust-resistant plow blade prepares rows during operation
- CONVENIENT JOHN DEERE FEATURES: Integrated metal holder keeps seed plates organized and accessible, while the built-in kickstand helps keep the wheel cleaner between uses
What reports say about staffing and production
Published figures differ, so they should be read with their dates and sources rather than treated as a current headcount or a single settled number.
| Measure | AGCO, January 2024 | Successful Farming, May 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Employees | More than 220, according to AGCO’s announcement. | Approximately 250, according to Karen Jones’s report. |
| Production start | Assembly and shipping began in October 2023, according to AGCO. | Production began in November 2023, citing Precision Planting director of operations Andreas Nunez Nalda. |
The sources do not explain the differences in headcount or production-start date, including whether they reflect different counting methods or definitions. Neither figure establishes the facility’s staffing or output in 2026.
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Rank #3
- √【DURABLE】 Well made with high quality plastic, not easy to break.
- √【EASY TO USE】You will get two type popular seed dispensers. One design has five different outlet settings make it works great on all seed sizes. Different holes for different sized seeds. And the lip is easy to turn. The other type, you just need put the seeds into the seed sowers, press to plant the seeds at the exact place you prefer.
- √【SUITABLE FOR SMALL SEEDS】Good gap control between the base and lid.
- √【IDEAL GIFT TO SHARE】It is a good choice to share with your loved ones. Except the seed sowers, the seedlings dibber and widger are a bonus for you to transplant small plant. This handheld seed planter tool set can be used to sow all kinds of small seeds, such as flowers, vegetables, and herbs etc. It is a good helper for your gardening work.
- √【IN-TIME SERVICE】We are committed to providing customers with satisfactory products and services. If you have any suggestions or dissatisfaction, please feel free to contact us via email. We will help you to solve the problem within 24 hours.
Automation reported at the facility
Karen Jones’s May 8, 2024 Successful Farming report described an AutoStore parts-picking system using 26 robots and an automated custom-box packaging line. It also reported that the facility was operating on one shift at that time. These are details from that article, not independently verified current operating conditions.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What the investment does—and does not—show
AGCO presented the center as a response to growing demand for retrofit technology and a way to increase capacity. The announcement establishes the facility’s reported size, purpose, consolidation of local sites, and planned product-line capacity. It does not quantify any resulting improvement in farm yields, production efficiency, delivery times, or costs, so those outcomes should not be assumed from the opening alone.
Rank #4
- Precision Seed Output Control: The discharge rate can be precisely adjusted based on seed size and desired planting density, allowing for optimal spacing and efficient distribution across various crop types.
- Durable Construction for Field Use: Built with a high-strength frame and wear-resistant rollers, this unit is designed to withstand exposure to soil and moisture while maintaining stable operation on uneven terrain.
- Portable and Compact Design: The lightweight, space-saving design allows for convenient storage in small sheds and easy transport between different working locations or garden plots.
- Optimized for Home Gardening: This tool simplifies the planting process for home gardeners by ensuring accurate seed placement in small plots or raised beds, leading to more organized garden management.
- Simple Maintenance and Cleaning: The straightforward structural design allows for easy disassembly, enabling users to quickly clear seed blockages and perform routine cleaning to ensure long-term mechanical reliability.
For farmers interested in equipment options, Precision Planting’s contact page lists the Morton center’s contact information and says dealers support equipment sales, recommendations, support, and training.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- VERSATILE DESIGN: Manual seed dispenser perfect for spreading small seeds like carrot, lettuce, grass, and spinach in gardens and lawns
- PRECISE CONTROL: Handheld spreader allows accurate seed placement and controlled distribution for optimal planting results
- COMPACT SIZE: Small, lightweight design makes it easy to maneuver and store when not in use
- USER-FRIENDLY: Simple manual operation suitable for both beginners and experienced gardeners
- EFFICIENT SPREADING: Built-in seed counter helps maintain consistent seed distribution while reducing waste
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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