This year Agritechnica 2019 successfully closed on November 16 and attracted 450,000 visitors, more than 130,000 of them from abroad, and 2,820 exhibitors. The whole week was dedicated to the challenges and future questions of the industry.
ROPA is presenting the company's premium products and the latest innovations in the field of self-propelled sugar beet harvesters, loaders and the Keiler potato harvester at a large booth covering a total area of 1359 m².
ROPA was proud to win silver medals for innovations for its potato crusher in the potato harvester Keiler 2 and R-Connect monitor in the Tiger 6S.
Award for R-Connect monitor - premiere at Agritechnica
Intelligent and fully automatic image documentation during the sugar beet harvest
Photos tagged with the location are automatically taken during lifting and while emptying the bunker. The Tiger 6S is fitted with several digital cameras for this purpose. The pictures taken by the optional camera on the cabin roof for monitoring the state of the crop before harvest and the pictures of the camera on the unloading conveyor for checking the quality of the harvest during unloading are allocated to the lifting order in the R-Connect portal.
Innovations at Agritechnica 2019
- Images from digital cameras showing the state of the beet crop before harvest in connection with the machine settings and position data
- Monitoring for weed abundance before lifting
- Monitoring the beet crop for diseases, such as rhizoctonia or cercospora
- Optional additional manual image documentation if irregularities cause problems with lifting, e.g. water in the field, foreign objects, power poles, overseeding etc.
- Pictures during unloading for quality control and documentation of the result of the harvest
- The documentation of the extraneous matter on the ground and weeds in the beet clamp is very useful information for the logistics of transport with reference to the time required, capability of storage of the beets etc.
- Contractors and harvesting cooperatives can use the pictures to show customers as proof of, for example, requirements for increased work (lifting costs)
- A wide range of sensor data such as rpm, speeds, pressing, volume measurements etc. is much more informative when it is linked with pictures!
Presentation ROPA R-Connect
Benedikt Gebhardt (student in software development at ROPA) presents live operation of the ROPA R-Connect portal at Agritechnica 2019.
Many thanks to our customers, who provided their machines with data for the live presentation during Agritechnica 2019.
Award for potato crusher in ROPA Keiler 2
The ROPA potato crusher is the new sustainable, herbicide-free and resource-saving process for preventing potato residues from sprouting in the successor crop. The potato crusher crushes and pulverises the tubers sorted out from the discharge chutes and trash conveyor. This promotes rotting and prevents germination of potatoes in the following year. ROPA receives a silver medal for innovation at Agritechnica in Hanover.
Mechanical shredding to prevent regrowth of potatoes
Small potatoes are mostly sorted out by the trash conveyor. The sorters also throw rotten, green or misshapen tubers into the rubbish chutes or the trash conveyor. The rejected tubers are all transported to the potato crusher.
The potato crusher crushes and shreds the tubers sorted out from the discharge chutes and trash conveyor. Crushed potatoes have a significantly smaller volume with a much greater surface area, which greatly promotes the decomposition process and prevents germination in the following year!
ROPA Tiger 6S - greatly improved efficiency paired with digital networking
ROPA adds the Tiger 6S to its range of self-propelled sugar-beet lifters. It will be in series production in time for the 2020 harvest. After several years of field testing, pilot models are already in operation in parts of Europe for the 2019 season. A new generation of extremely high-performance computers forms the telematics centre with predictive analytics, online diagnostics and partially autonomous sugar-beet harvesting. The Tiger 6S now occupies the premium segment in the market and with its advanced computer architecture it is considerably more than the technical and visual continuing development of the current Tiger 6.
Printout of the innovative new developments in the exterior design of the Tiger 6S
The new image of the ROPA Tiger 6S symbolises digitalisation and Agriculture 4.0. The light-blue line shows and represents the networking of the Tiger internally and externally with the R-Connect online portal. The new product logo is based on the smooth geometric shapes of the low poly style. The play of light and shadow gives the Tiger 6S even greater depth and dynamic. The striking colouring with dark-grey outside contours harmonises with the pale aluminium grey and bright yellow. The Tiger is designed for pride in ownership, to arouse emotion and at the same time to meet the promise of quality.
Cabin with new interior and two large 12.1 inch colour displays
The panoramic view from the cabin gives a generous feeling of space and it is the centre of artificial intelligence and partially autonomous sugar-beet lifting. The operator's position in the Tiger 6S is the visual expression of leadership in technology and the breakthrough into a new era of networking in the sugar-beet harvest. Operation at the terminal with interactive buttons highlighted by clear colour design on the modern flat design is even more intuitive and follows the same logic as with tablets and smartphones. Readability and usability is improved with targeted contrast.
In comparison with the Tiger 6, the Tiger 6S has two 12.1 inch operating terminals with high pixel density resulting in even sharper resolution. In addition to the machine functions, the camera images can also be displayed on the terminal on the left A-pillar. The Tiger 6S is the first sugar-beet lifter anywhere that is fitted with digital cameras as standard equipment. The image quality of the digital cameras is significantly better, and an additional Ethernet network is integrated into the machine to handle the resulting greatly increased volumes of data. The relevant camera image is automatically displayed on the left terminal during reversing or when unloading the bunker. The unloading conveyor and the bunker unloading can be controlled even more conveniently from the new ergonomic control element on the left armrest. Five function buttons on the right multifunction joystick can be customised, for example with the wide-area window wiper.
Partially automatic lifter attachment guide
At the Agritechnica in Hanover ROPA presents two new developments that automatically adjust the working depths of the harvesting attachment on the Tiger 6S:
• R-Trim - automatic adjustment of the defoliator height
• R-Contour - automatic share depth adjustment of the individual rows at the RR lifting unit
Both systems adapt their working depth to the changing conditions in the beet crop throughout the field. The automatic systems react to different crown heights or to ground unevenness crosswise to the direction of travel. The currently used measuring system at the scalper has been extended by an additional measuring system for recording the ground contour directly at the beet rows.
The driver uses the joystick on the operating console to set the lifting depth as required and thus defines how deep the lifter share will penetrate the soil. Ultrasonic sensors beside every beet row record the ground surface contour. A new, powerful on-board computer processes the measured values and ensures that the lifting depth is maintained in accordance with the ground contour. Compared to the previous systems for automatic adjustment of single rows, this system has many advantages, particularly with higher growth in beet rows beside lanes. The activated R-Contour prevents root fracture of the beet if harvesting too flat or unnecessary pickup of soil if harvesting too deep. The share depth adjustment is displayed synchronously on the terminal.
ROPA Tiger 6S - partially automatic lifter attachment guide
A new powerful on-board computer on the lifting unit of the Tiger 6S reads all measured values within a split second and, with the aid of the newly developed software, changes the defoliator height or the lifting depth of the individual rows. The combination and interaction of both systems significantly relieve the driver, which allows partly autonomous guiding of the lifter attachment. Topping losses due to changes in the condition of the crop are avoided without stress for the driver despite the reduction in the size of cut-off leaf stalks. This prevents not only the unnecessary pickup of soil by the lifting share and increased fuel consumption due to excessively deep lifting, but also root fracture of the beet if harvesting too flat.
How does it work?
The driver sets in the menu the desired height of the defoliator shaft over the cutting height of the scalper flail (red arrow in the chart). This setting defines the average length of the stalks remaining on the beet after the defoliator knives. An angle sensor on each Micro-Topper records the crown height of each beet row. In the case of differences in the crop growth (e.g. dry areas) the activated R-Trim automatically corrects the height guide of the defoliator shaft depending on the highest beet.
ROPA Panther 2
ROPA is pushing forward to a new performance dimension with the Panther 2. Sporty modern design with manoeuvrability and agility combines with a "workhorse" in the new Panther 2 for pure pleasure when lifting beets. There are sufficient power reserves for the most extreme lifting conditions, and using XL lifting attachment demonstrates the centrepiece of it all: the new 768 hp or 796 hp Volvo inline engine with pump-nozzle injection and 16.12 litre capacity. The award winning and soil-protecting chassis system with roll stabilisation and automatic slope compensation have been flawlessly integrated into the new machine design. The unloading conveyor derived from the Tiger 6 with a more powerful hopper emptying facilitates quicker loading during the drive. The new comfort cabin with glass touch terminal and numerous automatic programmes is the basis for outstanding driving comfort and the best lifting results.
Various lifting share bodies for ROPA RR lifter with hydraulic stone protection
Harvest chicory or sugar beet with the RR harvester on the ROPA Tiger
For harvesting chicory or sugar beet, ROPA has a divided share body with quick-change system.
Within a few minutes, the lifting spikes for harvesting chicory can be exchanged for the share beams for harvesting sugar beet.
Maus 5
10.20 metre-wide pickup system - counterweight arm for optimal balance
The Maus 5 is impressive with the redesigned cabin. The proven Maus 5 cabin has been fitted with the ROPA Evolution driver's seat with heating and air conditioning. The overall design that combines capacity and efficiency with the 10.2 m wide pickup system and offers practice-oriented developments with the latest technical innovations. The counterweight arm, over 9 metres long, guarantees absolute stability even with the truck loader at maximum width.
Potato harvester ROPA Keiler 1
The ROPA Keiler 1 is a one-row trailed potato harvester with a 6 t bunker. The Keiler 1 has been specifically designed for customers with increased demands for the highest quality (ware potato) and, at the same time, thorough and extremely gentle cleaning and excellent haulm separation. The load-sensing hydraulics enable fully hydraulic adjustment of the speed of all cleaning components, particularly sieving conveyors and leaf chain.
Keiler 2 potato harvester
The ROPA Keiler 2 is a 2-row trailed potato harvester with approx. 7.5 t bunker. As well as new details, the Keiler 2 has a fully hydraulic drive for optimal adjustment for cleaning. All cleaning devices maintain their set speed independently of the PTO speed. The result is reduced fuel consumption with reduced tractor engine speed.
The road transport width is only 3.00 m, which allows the Keiler 2 to travel on roads anywhere in Germany without requiring a special permit. With the telescoping axle it can be extended to a stable 3.50 m in the field.
ROPA Keiler 2L with overloading bunker
ROPA Keiler 2L with overloading bunker
The ROPA Keiler 2L is a 2-row trailed potato harvester with a 5.5 t overloading bunker. As well as new details, the Keiler 2L has just like the well-proven Keiler 2 a fully hydraulic drive for optimal adjustment for cleaning. The Keiler 2L operates independently of the PTO speed and thus maintains all cleaning units in the optimal speed range. The result is reduced engine rotational speed of the tractor for low vibration and reduced noise during harvesting as well as low fuel consumption.
Pickup, cleaning units and fully hydraulic drive concept are identical to the Keiler 2 with the standard bunker. All optional equipment variants such as drive axle, swath pickup, camera systems, etc. are also available for the Keiler 2L with overloading hopper.
Non-stop harvesting and simultaneous overloading
- Optimal filling of the bunker with ultrasound sensors
- Bunker capacity of 5.5 t
- Immersion depth of 600 mm at 3.5 m board wall height
- Transfer roller with 185 mm diameter made of PU discs for gentle transfer to the unloading conveyor, additional cleaning of loose soil
- Constructive separation of bunker trough and unloading conveyor for time-saving and complete bunker emptying as well as non-stop lifting
- Direct drive of the rod conveyor - trouble-free unloading under all conditions
- The sequential discharge of the bunker trough contents onto the unloading conveyor in combination with the extendable axle increases driving stability in the field and makes it easier for the driver
- 3-way foldable unloading conveyor enables flexible unloading
The Keiler 2L has a telescopic axle as well as high-volume radial tyres 850/50 R30.5 in series for the best driving comfort and soil protection. In the field, the Keiler 2L is impressively stable thanks to the axle extending to 3.50 meters. The lanes can be easily lifted with the retracted axle of 3 m. The numerous details include optional hydraulically-driven disc coulters on the left and right, very precise ridge pressure control, speed-controlled sieving conveyor automatics functions for the pintle belts 1 and 2, optimized camera monitoring with automatic video switch makes it easier for the driver by automatically displaying the point where warning limits are reached or, e.g. when driving backwards, showing the image from the rear view camera.
ROPA Keiler 2 Classic with overloading bunker
ROPA expands its line of two-row potato harvesters with the Keiler 2 Classic, which will be in series production for the 2020 harvest. After several years of field testing, pilot models are already in operation in parts of Europe for the 2019 season.
The new machine is generally similar to the well-known Keiler 2. The main difference is the separating systems. The Classic has two pintle belts instead of four. The Classic instead has a very spacious sorting stand with room for up to eight persons at the gently rising and generously dimensioned sorting belt with optional haulm conveyor. With the extendable platform in addition to the haulm conveyor the machine makes a convenient workplace for the sorters. Paired with the height-adjustable platforms this allows every workstation to be separately adjusted for maximum ease of working.
The Keiler 2 Classic, like all models, is fully hydraulically driven and comes with the ISOBUS control unit as standard equipment. The quick-change frame for the pickup is also integrated as standard equipment, enabling this machine to be used for harvesting onions and other specialised crops with the reduced cleaning units. The telescopic axle has also been integrated to allow extension by up to 3 m during harvesting and up 3.5 m to ensure high stability with lifting.
Like the current model, the Classic can be optionally fitted with drive wheel and truck loader bunker. The volume of the truck loader bunker on the Classic can be increased above 6 t.
During last year's field tests, the overall design demonstrated very high output with maximum product protection in areas with low cleaning requirements (sandy or separated soils). The Keiler 2 Classic with the pintle belt 1 and pintle belt 2 cleaning systems is easy to monitor, it is accessible and easy to service.
ROPA fan shop - current collection
The current ROPA collection was presented in the ROPA fan shop. ROPA quilted vests, quilted jackets, hoodies and new winter jackets were hot items. Some items were so popular and so much in demand that they sold out quickly. We have them on back-order and they should be available again soon in our fan shop on the web site (free shipping for orders over 25 euros).
ROPA in the agriculture simulator
Albach Diamant - the top of the range in off-road wood chippers with motorway approval
ROPA with its subsidiaries is the general importer for Albach wood chippers in Belgium, France and Poland. The Albach team was there at the ROPA booth again this year with a Diamant 2000. High power, excellent torque output and low speed - the design of the Volvo engine and the chipping and driving characteristics of the self-propelled wood chipper are an ideal combination.The Diamant 2000 is powered by the 768 hp (565 kW) Volvo engine, like the ROPA Tiger 6 and Panther 2 harvesters. The chipper with its outstanding road speed of 70 km/h is now approved for operation on motorways in France.
ROPA Agritechnica 2019 team
At this point we would like to thank all our visitors for their great enthusiasm at the ROPA booth
The ROPA team at the new ROPA booth with its unique booth design. It represents a traditional, down to earth family company with our roots in Bavaria, an international outlook and great powers of innovation. The tradition at ROPA is to design and build our trade fair booths in-house - Carolin Paintner (centre) was responsible for design and construction of the house at the booth.We place great value on continuing the company's unique marketing and booth design with log cabin and beer garden.
Thanks to all involved and to all of our visitors for a successful Agritechnica.
And a special thanks to our girls
Our girls, all ROPA employees and friends, provided outstanding service, good cheer and a relaxed atmosphere at the ROPA booth. Thank you very much!
Musical background
For conversations in a cosy atmosphere
Tanja Kaltofen, Development/Design and Martin Reiner, Assembly Manager, provided a pleasant musical background for the ROPA booth.
Impressions from Agritechnica 2019
