The climate of Turkey is particularly good for growing potatoes. As one of the top 15 exporting countries worldwide, Turkey also plays an important role on the international potato market.
Unlike in Germany, Turkish farmers are solely responsible for growing and tending the potatoes. The harvest itself is subsequently organised by crisp and chip factories.
Until now, harvesting was carried out by laborious manual work. The potatoes are lifted using a simple sieve-chain harvester and then collected by hand into big bags. These big bags are lifted onto lorries and emptied using a crane mounted on a tractor's three-point linkage or by means of a telehandler. Due to adhering soil, the level of dirt contamination was generally high, despite the manual collection process.
Unlike in Germany, potatoes are grown and cultivated exclusively by Turkish farmers. The harvesting itself is then organized by the crisps and french fries manufacturers.
Until now, harvesting has been a time-consuming and laborious job. The potatoes are dug up with a simple sieve chain harvester and then collected by hand into big bags. These big bags are lifted by a crane at the rear of a tractor or by a telescopic loader and emptied onto the trucks. Even though the tubers are picked up by hand, the amount of dirt is usually high due to the soil that sticks to them.
A team of 70 workers has been able to harvest around 5 hectares per day so far, a remarkable achievement, but one that requires a great deal of manpower and organisation. For manufacturers, this method is becoming increasingly inefficient and problematic, especially when you consider the total costs for personnel, including accommodation and meals.
In response to growing demand for faster, more efficient and cost-saving harvesting methods, ROPA teamed up with its long-standing sales partner Yeni Aktas to launch the first ROPA Keiler 2 RK22 with an overloading bunker and DoubleSelect system in Turkey. The machine was presented at demonstrations and used under difficult conditions.
Demonstration of the ROPA Keiler 2 RK22 with an overloading bunker and DoubleSelect
In mid-July, two experienced members of the ROPA team were on site to commission the machine, train drivers and demonstrate the performance of the Keiler 2 RK22.
Since fully mechanised potato harvesting is relatively unknown in Turkey, many farmers initially expressed significant scepticism. There was concern that the machine could damage the potatoes or unnecessarily compact the soil. This made it really tough to find locations for the first demonstrations. However, several farms eventually agreed.
The fields and general conditions were not ideal, as mechanised harvesting had not previously been anticipated. Headlands therefore had to be harvested by hand first in order to provide the harvester with sufficient room to turn. In addition, four rows were lifted on each side to avoid unnecessarily compacting the ridges during the initial harvesting pass and to allow passage through the centre of the field.
The field conditions put the machinery to a genuine test. A very uneven planting depth of the seed potatoes, combined with poor soil preparation, resulted in a large number of clods, as harvesting had to be carried out at a particularly great depth. Partially very stony soil conditions also characterised the operating environment.
Despite these challenges, the ROPA Keiler 2 RK22 impressed with outstanding separation performance and gentle handling of the potatoes. Stones and clods are already separated to a considerable degree on the second pintle belt, by means of a triple UFK unit. This not only increases cleaning performance but also reduces damage to the potatoes further along the machine. The lower level of soil contamination consequently reduced price deductions – a key factor in the profitability of farming operations.
Particular attention was also paid to the overloading bunker: as Turkish lorries frequently feature raised side boards, the Keiler's long overloading conveyor proved a clear advantage. Even articulated lorries with a height difference of more than one metre between field and field track could be loaded directly from the field without difficulty.
The demonstration attracted a large number of interested visitors. In addition to farmers, representatives from leading chip and crisp factories also attended the working demonstrations. Many filmed the machine at close range and were visibly impressed by its cleaning performance and ease of operation. The machine worked quietly, efficiently and with exceptional care for the potatoes, completely allaying any concerns regarding crop damage.
The demonstrations took place in the region around Erbaa – an important area for potato cultivation in Turkey. The potato harvester was deployed at several farms and under a variety of different conditions.
The consistently positive feedback from both farmers and factory representatives makes one thing clear: the ROPA Keiler 2 RK22 has the potential to revolutionise potato harvesting in Turkey.
Partnership with Yeni Aktaş Otomotiv Tar. Hay. San. ve Tic. Ltd. Şti.
The partnership between ROPA and Aktas has been in place since 2009. Since then, Aktas has managed the complete sales and service operation for ROPA machinery in Turkey.
Today, approximately 160 beet harvesters and Beet Loaders are in operation on Turkish sugar beet fields. Given the extended operating seasons in Turkey, the area of maintenance and servicing plays a particularly important role. Aktas's commitment in this field ensures that ROPA machinery consistently operates with a high degree of reliability.
Three ROPA Keiler units and one Haulm topper are now deployed in the field in Turkey. Thanks to Aktas's strong partner network, the potato harvesters will also benefit in future from a closely-knit service and spare parts network that sets the benchmark for the region.
Company director Faruk Aktas is optimistic: he anticipates that a significant number of additional Keiler units will enter the Turkish market in the coming years – supported by growing demand for efficiency, quality and innovative agricultural technology.
