Planter range expands with power harrow combination

14th July 202617th July 2026 webmaster AVR

Belgian potato machinery specialist AVR has expanded its Ceres 440 planter range with a new power harrow combination, offering growers a third all-in-one cultivation and planting option designed to improve flexibility across varying soil conditions, particularly where stones present a challenge. 

Developed in partnership with fellow Belgian manufacturer LSM, the new configuration combines LSM hydraulic subsoilers, a Maschio DM3000 power harrow and the four-row Ceres 440 planter into a single integrated unit.

A key feature of the new combination is its independently controlled hydraulic depth adjustment. Unlike conventional combinations, operators can alter cultivation depth independently of planting depth from the tractor seat using the AVR joystick or ISOBUS display, with an angle sensor providing a continuous indication of working depth. 

AVR says the power harrow assembly is around 120mm more compact than a conventional hook tine cultivator while remainingsuitable for tractors equipped with wide tyres. Bringing soil cultivation, planting and ridge formation together in close proximityalso helps maintain accurate positioning of seed potatoes within the centre of the ridge, including on sloping land. 

The latest addition joins two existing all-in-one Ceres 440 configurations. The MultiForce version combines a front-mounted tine cultivator with the rear-mounted planter, while the Compact model places both cultivation and planting equipment on the rear linkage for operators with sufficient tractor lifting capacity. 

According to AVR, the prototype power harrow combination underwent extensive field testing during 2025 before a limited pre-production run was introduced during 2026. The company will showcase the machine publicly at both Potato Europe in Germany during September and Interpom in Belgium later in the year. 

The launch reflects a wider trend towards integrated cultivation and planting systems that reduce field passes while allowing growers to tailor machinery more closely to local soil conditions.