Hampshire-based farmers and agricultural engineers, Samagri started importing Virkar drills from Spain into the UK back in 2018. Simon Henley takes a closer look at the range-topping Virkar Dynamic DC low-disturbance direct drill and talks to a farmer who uses a six-metre version.
Virkar is a name some members of the British farming fraternity may not be familiar with; at least not yet.
Established in 2010 by a trio of Spanish entrepreneurs with backgrounds in engineering and farming, their collective goal was to design and build a no-tillage direct drill of superior design and performance.
The result of their labour was the Virkar Dynamic-Series of seed drills, which includes the D (Disc) C (Coulter) and DC (Disc Coulter) variants, in widths of 4.5 metres, 5m, 6m and 7m. All models are built using a lightweight high-strength modular chassis, and can be specified with three hopper configurations.
The Virkar Dynamic seed drill is imported into the UK by Samagri, a family-owned farming enterprise in Hampshire, which has been in the agricultural engineering business more than 25 years. Originally established as a Kockerling dealer in 2008, the company became the UK importer/distributor for German tillage and seed drill manufacturer.
Samagri is owned by Steve Bury, who manages the company with his son Sam and daughter Tarnya. As farmers themselves producing 800 hectares of combinable crops, their extensive knowledge of tillage and seeding equipment led the chance discovery of the Virkar Dynamic seed drill, while watching a video on social media.
Impressed by what they had seen, they made contact with Virkar and arranged to see its manufacturing facility in Spain. The Dynamic seed drill was just what they had been looking for and in 2018, Samagri became the official importer and distributor for Virkar products in the UK.
Samagri sales manager Nigel Long says: "The Virkar Dynamic is a new type of direct drill design, which is quite different to anything else on the UK market.
"The low-disturbance direct drill has become increasingly appealing to a greater number of farmers, who require a versatile seeder for no-tillage applications.
Steering axle
"A key feature of the Dynamic-Series is the steering axle, which is located at the rear of the drill beneath the seed hopper. The drill connects to the tractor using a low-link mounted headstock, which as the tractor turns, simultaneously steers the axle.
"The axle is controlled by a potentiometer on the headstock, which controls a hydraulic steering system operated by a double-acting spool valve on the tractor. The benefit of this system, is the row spacings are always kept even during sweeping turns, which reduces wear on the coulters.
"The system also improves headland turning manoeuvres, as the drill follows the tractor wheelings. Another benefit of the steering axle, is it will also compensate when working across slopes or undulating terrain, so the drill is not running out of alignment with the tractor. The accuracy of the Virkar in these conditions, is almost unrivalled."
The Virkar Dynamic DC drill has been the most popular for UK conditions. Available with row spacings of 190mm or 250mm (most are sold in latter configuration), the DC system uses the Virkar TotalContour ground-following coulter design.
The DC set-up places a turbo-disc in front of a tine coulter. The waving action of the disc as it cuts a slot into the ground, manipulates the soil to create a 12mm opening which the coulter opens-up to deliver the seed. As the seed is planted, press wheels behind the coulter seal the slot.
To ensure consistent seed depth across virtually any type of ground conditions, disc pressure is applied using a controllable hydraulic accumulator system. With an adjustment range extending from zero to 280kg of force (controlled from the cab), as the disc cuts into the ground, the following coulter is pulled into work by a spring.
The benefit of this system is that although the disc and coulter are linked together, they are able to move separately from one another, with 350mm of available travel. Further flexibility is achieved by allowing each disc/coulter unit to operate independently across the full width of the drill, providing what is described as the most accurate low-disturbance/no-tillage drilling system for the widest range of field conditions.
Configurations
Like many of its competitors, Virkar offers the Dynamic range with a three hopper configurations. Set up for a single product seed-only application, the hopper has a capacity of 5,300 litres, which can be extended to 6,800 litres by adding optional hopper extensions/greedy boards.
For combined seed and fertiliser application, the hopper can be divided into a 65/35 split, to provide 4,440 litres and 2,350 litres respectively. Further flexibility can be achieved with the addition of a 350-litre micro-hopper which is installed inside the primary hopper body.
Seed rates are controlled using a conventional Accord-type pneumatic seeding system through twin metering units, with a range extending from 2kg/ha up to 380kg/ha. Variable rate seed application and a tramline system are optional.
On the headlands, lifting the drill out of the ground is accomplished by a two-stage hydraulic lift which lifts the coulters first and then (if required) the rear axle. The rear axle lift can be further extended, to raise the drill up for maintenance/replacement of the discs and coulters.
In the field
Arable farmer Mr Ralph Castle, grows 185ha of combinable crops near Wantage in Berkshire. Having relied on a 6m Kockerling Jockey 600 for the past few years, in spring 2021 he purchased a 6m Virkar Dynamic DC as a second drill, as part of a bid to introduce no-tillage/direct drilling and inter-row hoeing to his farm, as a means of controlling black-grass alongside traditional chemical weed control regime.
According to Mr Castle, the Virkar was one of several direct drills he demonstrated. His decision to buy the Virkar, was influenced by both its cost and his long-time working association with the importer. He also cites the flexibility of the Virkar design as a factor, which he specified to individual requirements at the time of ordering.
"The Virkar is very simple to use and works extremely well in my type of soil, which extends from green sand to chalky loams," explains Mr Castle, who specced his drill with 190mm row spacings.
"A key factor of its performance is its ability to deal with debris. You can direct drill cover crops with the Virkar and trash blockages are never a problem.
"The axle steering system is superb, because it enables you to make very tight headland turns without any wheel scuffing. Using the Virkar, I only have to make three headland passes to finish drilling, instead of the four required with the Kockerling. That saves me at least 30 minutes in every field.
"The steering system also makes the drill more manoeuvrable on the road and, it allows me to access narrow gateways or tight turns without repeated shunting. It is very clever and very effective."
He adds. "I use the Virkar behind a Fendt 724 Vario, which has more than enough power to handle the drill, however adding to ballast to the tractor is necessary when working on hills and banks.
"I ordered my drill with the split hopper, however to date I have not had a chance to set it up to drill fertiliser and seed at the same time. In terms of using the drill, my only criticism is that although it is easy to calibrate, trying to get to the metering units is too fiddly.
"Overall, I am extremely pleased with the Virkar. It is a well-built machine, which has been thoughtfully designed. We have had a couple of teething issues, but Samagri has dealt with them very quickly. The on-move adjustable coulter pressure system is excellent, and the steering system has improved operational efficiency in the field."
