AVR is preparing to offer several new products in honor of its 175th anniversary. Three new crop-handling machines, including its first box filler, the AVR Scorpio, are part of the initial round of product introductions.

The second product to be released is the Mamba conveyor, which replaces the CTK and is the “little brother” of the Python single conveyor, which was introduced the previous year.

A first in the AVR crop handling program: the AVR Scorpio box filler

The AVR Scorpio box filler, which combines user-friendliness with capacity and delicate product handling, completes the AVR crop handling range and embodies the brand’s essence. Scorpio’s capacity is equivalent to one skilled forklift driver. Stated differently, it sends out one filled box per minute.

The moving main belt is composed of two elements, with an inflection point in the middle. As a result, the separate elements are longer than that of most other models on the market. This guarantees low drop heights while ensuring that the potatoes are gently guided into the crate via a gradient that is not too steep. The limited inclination renders a belt with a profile superfluous, while the simple addition of a scraper is enough to prevent the accumulation of dirt.

The main belt is driven on both sides by a drum motor for optimal and equal traction in both directions. This allows drum motors that are quite small in diameter to be used – which minimizes drop heights – while ensuring a large enough contact surface to prevent slipping. Looking for even more protection? The rubber flaps on the main belt curb the speed at which the flow of potatoes slides downwards.

User-friendly and Pleasant to Use

The crate filler is very easy to operate via the buttons on the electrical control box and the intuitive 7” touchscreen. Thanks to the fully electrical control system, the Scorpio is energy-efficient and remarkably quiet and can be operated very smoothly.

Thanks to the various sensors – including the sensors that determine the position of the belt and a laser sensor that continuously monitors the product level in the crate – crates are automatically filled from the bottom to the top, with minimal drop heights during the entire process.

AVR Line Control

The installation of AVR Line Control software allows the Scorpio crate filler to communicate with all other AVR machines in the crop handling line. The entire line comes to a halt, for example, when both crates are full, and will automatically restart as soon as an empty crate is put in position and the main belt has reached the bottom of the empty crate.

If one crate is full and the other is empty, the crate filler will stop while the rest of the line and the AVR Line Control remains active. Then, the crate filler will buffer some product on the belt and switch to the empty crate. This allows smooth switching from one crate to another, without impacting the capacity of the crop handling line.

The buffer effect can also be expanded to the Mamba conveyor via AVR Line Control, for example, to optimize capacity.

Flexibility

The Scorpio can fill crates in just about all conventional dimensions. This is because the frame height and the crate position are adjustable. The indicator light allows the forklift driver to easily see if the crate has been positioned correctly.

Convenient options include an additional supply belt – which offers extra buffer capacity and facilitates 180-degree supply – as well as a frequency regulator for the infinite adjustment of the conveyor speed, switched power outlets, and LED working lights.

The prototypes were tested extensively and received positive feedback from the users. The series production will commence in 2025. The Scorpio will be on display in stationary mode during the Potato Demo Day held in Westmaas, the Netherlands, on 21 August. It will also be presented live in a demo set-up at the Potato Europe trade fair held this year in Villers-Saint-Christophe, France, on 11 and 12 September.

AVR Mamba – A New Conveyor

The AVR Mamba is the successor to the CTK. Aside from a higher capacity, greater flexibility, and optimum user-friendliness in adjusting the machine, the Mamba also features AVR Line Control.

The AVR Mamba conveyor can be used for a wide array of tasks. This is partly because it is available in two different belt lengths: 6.5 or 10.5 meters. Due to its high capacity and considerable length, the Mamba 80-10 (10.5 meters) is the perfect conveyor for swiftly and efficiently loading-trucks, while the Mamba 80-6 (6.5 meters) can be used seamlessly for the intake and delivery of potatoes or other bulk goods in a crop handling line.

Maximum Capacity, No Damage

The V-shaped belt guarantees a high capacity plus optimum product protection. The wide angle of the V-shape maximizes the capacity, while the product cannot come into contact with the frame thanks to the considerable width of the belt. The belt is fitted with a profile – which makes it particularly suitable for the upward transport of rolling products – as a standard. However, in circumstances where is scraper is required, a belt without a profile that is fitted with a scraper is available.

Solid Frame

Thanks to its sturdy monobody frame, the Mamba guarantees the reliable transfer of bulk products in all possible transport applications. The belt drive, using a drum motor, is located in the machine’s head. This pulling drive prevents the belt from slipping.

Flexible and User-friendly

The Mamba combines flexibility with user-friendliness, both of which are essential to the multi-functional deployment of a machine in a crop handling line.

The dosing and intake height can both be easily adjusted with a hydraulic pump. Thanks to its low intake height, the Mamba can easily be placed underneath the Falcon reception hopper. The Mamba can be fitted with caster wheels. The wheels can be positioned transversely, and thanks to the rotatable support point at the intake side, the Mamba can effortlessly be transported by just one person.

The Mamba is frequency-controlled as a standard: the speed can be adjusted infinitely. A second speed can also be set if desired, which is extremely convenient in combination with the AVR Scorpio crate filler if a heightened buffer capacity is desired when switching from one crate to another.

Just like the other machines in the AVR crop handling range, the Mamba can be connected to the AVR Line Control circuit. This guarantees the optimum linkage of the various machines in the crop handling line.

Basic Version

Is the basic version adequate for your product? The Mamba can be fitted with a hand pump to adjust the product discharge and intake heights through a simple electronic on/off control system without additional functions, with one basic speed.

Convenient add-ons are extra power outlets, LED working lights, and a protective cover for the conveyor belt.

This year, the Mamba will be available only in a limited edition. It will replace the CTK entirely as of 2025. The AVR Mamba will be on display, fully operational in a demo set-up, for the first time at the Potato Europe trade fair held this year in Villers-Saint-Christophe, France, on 11 and 12 September.

AVR launches the Python-S single conveyor

Following last year’s successful introduction of the Python dual conveyor, AVR is now launching its “little brother”: the single conveyor Python-S. The Python-S (Single) is, in fact, identical to the upper conveyor of the Python T (Twin) and offers the same tried-and-true strengths and features. It is available in three lengths: 7, 9, and 11 meters.

The AVR Python is the indispensable, flexible link in your crop handling line and is available in both a single belt and a twin belt version. This conveyor offers a high capacity and is extremely potato-friendly thanks to such features as the moving raised edges. Moreover, the AVR Python is easily transportable and very easy to operate.

Fast, product-friendly, flexible, and easy to control: all of this makes Python your ideal partner during the crop handling process.

Solid Base and Easy Maneuverability

A typifying feature of the AVR conveyor is its stable and robust frame, which also offers a high degree of maneuverability.

Thanks to the independent height adjustment of the product intake and discharge outlets and the electronic length adjustment, the Python can be installed in every position on the line. Moreover, the twin conveyor has been designed to allow both belts to be positioned at all possible angles relative to each other.

A tandem construction with four casters and rotatable main wheels allows the machine to be effortlessly transported by only one person.

Capacity Combined With Quality

The clever design of the conveyor belts with raised edges ensures that the product never comes into contact with the metal frame parts, thus guaranteeing an extremely gentle product flow. The combination of a fully adjustable transition between the first and second conveyor belt and a drum measuring no more than 160 mm in diameter ensures that drop heights are reduced to an absolute minimum. All of this results in an extremely product-friendly conveyor system.

In addition, the raised edges create a trough to accommodate the secure conveyance of large volumes. As the section at the center of this trough remains entirely flat, the Python also lends itself perfectly to the manual inspection of your crop.

Ease of Use

AVR conveyors are designed to relieve the user’s work. The extensive features with which they are equipped as a standard include a frequency converter, infinite speed adjustment, electronic length adjustment, and a belt control system that makes readjustments completely unnecessary. Additionally, the installation of AVR Line Control software allows Python to communicate with all other AVR machines in the line.

All of our crop handling and storage equipment is manufactured in the Veendam production facility.