For 2-row offset bunker harvesters, the AVR Spirit 9200 had already set a new benchmark. To handle the highest segment in potato harvesting, AVR significantly enhanced its popular Spirit line.

Thanks to the cross-roller set as an extra cleaning module and the fully hydraulic driving system, customers may enjoy greater flexibility, capacity, and comfort. Naturally, all of this was created by the AVR concept, which places the utmost importance on harvesting potatoes in a friendly manner.

The Spirit 9200i builds upon the popular Spirit 9200 concept by providing several significant enhancements in the areas of control, traction, haulm web, pintle belt module, cross-roller module, and Clean & Go hopper. The Spirit 9200i’s enhanced cleaning modules, intelligent automated operations, and user-friendly interface are its salient characteristics.

“The machine’s drive system is compatible with ISOBUS. This means that the machine can be configured via the ISOBUS-compatible display screen of your choice. AVR can offer you a Müller Touch800 or Smart570 screen for this purpose. The machine also comes with an ergonomic AVR joystick as a standard, and thanks to the ISOBUS-AUX system, various functions can also be controlled via your tractor joystick,” according to a recent press release.

Clear icons and intuitive menus, supplemented by the automatic functions of the machine, all serve to optimize the user-friendliness of the Spirit 9200i.

Sieving Capacity and Drop Heights

Maximum sieving capacity is ensured by the pintle belt module’s up to four sieve webs. The machine can have one long digging web or two short digging webs attached to the front. The machine’s lifting capacity is greatly increased by adding another digging web, and consequently, one more drop. A single long web is the finest option for the gentlest treatment if the soil can be sieved with ease.

To the new machinery, customers can attach a soft sieving web fitted with rubber directly in front of the pintle belt module, or they can opt for a cross-roller module for additional cleaning capacity. Drop heights are kept to a minimum throughout the machine. Because the haulm and sieving webs are so close to one another, the drop height from the digging to the sieving web is limited to the greatest extent possible. Thanks to this mechanism, the AVR Spirit 9200i guarantees the lowest drop heights on the market, with a 33% margin on the closest competitor.

Haulm

The primary haulm separation system is a combination of the sieving web and the haulm web. A set comprising two rows of retainers and another set comprising three rows of retainers mounted above the haulm web ensures that the potatoes stay in the machine. These sets are individually adjustable in height, and the rows of retainers have been mounted to ensure an adequate distance in between the rows to optimize the machine’s separation capacity. In the event of an accumulation of haulm, the frames of the rows can be folded upwards.

Another three rows can be added at the top of the machine. A closed conveyor is located underneath the haulm web that discharges the haulm and allows any potatoes that have accidentally been carried along with the haulm to roll back into the machine.

Extra Haulm Separation

The third sieving web or the cross-roller set increases the separation surface (haulm web) for long haulm or weeds from the product flow. This is of crucial importance, considering the current trend which favors high-yield varieties with a lot of sturdy haulm.

The further development of the cross-roller module with a haulm roller makes it easier to process any short stalks that slip through the haulm web.

Cross-roller Module – Additional Cleaning Capacity

A cross-roller set for the pintle belt unit significantly increases the machine’s cleaning capacity – without any need for additional directional changes in the machine.

The cross-rollers efficiently remove loose soil, clods, and smaller stones from the product flow, thus relieving the pressure on the pintle belts and allowing them to remove the remaining loose soil and haulm it more efficiently. The position, speed and rotating direction of the smooth rollers can be adjusted on the display screen via a handy widget. The last roller of the CR module has also been fitted with rubber and, in combination with a brush bar, serves as an efficient haulm roller.

The cross-roller module’s seemingly infinite adjustment options allow the digging unit to be used in every situation.

Pintle Belt Module

The pintle belt module to the rear of the machine is fully adjustable in terms of incline and guarantees full control over the product flow under all circumstances: regardless of whether you are working on a slope a flat surface, or light or heavy soil. The product flow on the in-line pintle belt is guided via the triple retaining roller – which is height adjustable – to the transversal pintle belt equipped with two 2-row rotary combs. This is where stone and clod separation takes place before the final inspection on the picking-off table.

The new, hydraulically collapsible retaining roller on the transversal pintle belt can be operated from the cabin. This means that obstructions can easily be avoided, even in the most difficult sections of your plot.

Picking-off Table

The large picking-off table offers enough space for six people to perform a final inspection. All the settings for the cleaning modules can be operated from the picking-off table via the convenient keypad.

Clean & Go Bunker

The Spirit 9200i is equipped with a bunker with a capacity of just over eight tons. The unloading height can be adjusted up to 4.20 m, for which a hydraulic collapsible shock absorber or crate-filling funnel is available.

A Clean & Go bunker is also an option. You can opt for the best of both worlds: a buffer for 8 tons of potatoes, additional sieving capacity, and no need to stop the machine to unload the bunker!

Traction

Hydrostatic wheel drive is available optionally. An additional hydraulic pump drives a 2815cc wheel motor on the right wheel and a 1745cc wheel motor on the left wheel. Consequently, the rear axle is provided with a traction capacity of 120 hp. The traction system – which is even more powerful than in the previous model – also excels in terms of user-friendliness: it can be operated via an intuitive supplementary keypad, while the ISOBUS control automatically detects whether the machine is moving forward or backward.

AVR Connect

The Spirit 9200i can be fully monitored remotely, online. An AVR Connect account allows you to monitor data about the work you have performed, sensor data, alarms, and yield data. Even remote diagnostics are possible for even better support from your dealer or AVR.

In 2023, the prototype was extensively tested and received plenty of positive feedback. Seven Spirit 9200i harvesters were subsequently manufactured in a pre-production run in 2024. The Spirit 9200i will be on display, fully operational in a demo set-up, for the first time at the Potato Europe trade fair on 11 and 12 September in Villers-Saint-Christophe, France.