The new Spirit 7200 complements the AVR Spirit family with a drawn, two-row offset potato harvester, integrating an additional haulm separation system in the form of a haulm roller just upstream of the in-line pintle belt.
In addition, a trash web under the haulm web ensures that potatoes that ‘dropped’ late remain in the machine and that any haulm that does fall through the haulm web is removed.
After being picked up by the digging unit, the first sieving takes place on the digging web, which has a width of 1.65m. This is fitted with hydraulically powered eccentric vibrators. Then there is the combination of haulm web and sieving web – as these operate so close to one another, the drop height from the digging web to the sieving web has been kept to a minimum. At the transition from the sieving web to the pintle belt, a haulm roller provides additional haulm separation. The haulm roller is easy to adjust in intensity by moving it farther under or away from the sieving web. A potato-friendly transition is ensured as the haulm roller is followed by a soft pintle belt.
On the in-line pintle belt, the potatoes are conveyed to the transversal pintle belt by a triple retaining roller. If desired, the transversal pintle belt can be placed at a greater or lesser angle.Height adjustment from the picking-off table offers the option of quickly adjusting the cleaning capacity. The potatoes are then conveyed into a large seven tonne bunker. The hydraulic bend in the picking- off table with automatic control provides for a minimal drop height into the bunker.
So, what is new about the Spirit 7200? The latest features include:
AVR Connect – The 7200 is the first two-row harvester that can be equipped with the AVR Connect option. This allows the user to access machine data online.
Drawbar – The drawbar is fitted with a frame that neatly conceals all hydraulic equipment and electrical cables to the tractor.
Digging unit – The Spirit 7200 is equipped with a quick-change kit as standard. This means that the user can change the digging unit in just a few minutes to allow a different crop to be harvested (e.g. an onion brush).
Mechanical and, as an option, hydraulic depth adjustment are available.
Haulm web/sieving web – Two rows of three haulm retainers ensure that the potatoes stay neatly inside the machine. Here, attention has been paid to ensuring that there
is distance between the rows of retainers and that there is an efficient and robust mechanism in place to fold the frame upwards in the event of accumulations.
The haulm and sieving webs are close to one another so that the drop height from the digging web to the sieving web is limited, something that is unique in the market.
At the rear of the machine, under the haulm web, is a conveyor that can remove haulm that falls late and that can return potatoes that fall late back into the machine.
Picking-off table – The picking- off table comfortably accommodates six people. For the best ergonomics, the table has been made as flat as possible.
All functions relating to cleaning at the rear of the machine can be operated easily with a clear keypad or mechanical handles.
Bunker – The fixed bunker is 9.6m3 in size with a width of 2m and can hold up to seven tonnes (cf. reference to 7200). A shock absorber is also an option – it can be folded hydraulically and transported on top of the machine.
Tyres – The Spirit 7200 runs smoothly thanks to the decision to opt for high wheels (30.5 rim). Different sizes are available (in some cases, dependent on the version); 650/65 R 30.5, 850/50 R 30.5, and twin row-crop tyres 380/80 R 38 are available, primarily to help prevent protrusion.
The machine is controlled by the Isobus system. This can save on a screen in the tractor, if desired. AVR offers two types of display: Mueller touch 800 and Mueller smart 570.
The first two prototypes entered field operation last year and received positive feedback from users. Some 10 new harvesters started operation in the field this year.