Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania is the land of large fields and lakes. The cultivation of potato here is mainly represented by starch potato and potato for industrial needs. Particularly large areas as in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania make the demands from harvest management immense and unique.

Demonstration tour of MIHG Maschinen-, Instandsetzungs- und Handels GmbH, Petschow

Power and efficient loading

These were the main requirements of the demonstration tour 2021 of MIHG Maschinen-, Instandsetzungs- und Handels GmbH, Petschow. And the ROPA Keiler 2 L was in the right place at the right time. The advantages of the ROPA Keiler 2 L were tested in the area around the location of MIHG in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. The overloading bunker made it possible to load directly onto the transport vehicles while harvesting. The saved time and loading efficiency excited many spectators.

In addition to starch potatoes, the MIHG team also harvested potatoes for french fries and chips, as well as very sensitive seed potatoes. The same great diversity as in the varieties distinguishes also the harvesting methods and transport structures. But our Keiler could manage anything, staring from the enriched system, i.e. track with two additional rows, up to loading of the troughs, trailers or boxes.

Four pintle belts provide good cleaning and separation even with double mass flow. We should also mention the transfer roller, which provides an additional strong cleaning between the bunker walking floor and the truck conveyor.
Thanks to the flexible truck conveyor arm, gentle loading is possible even with high side walls of the transport vehicles. The tray filler provides an additional drop stage and enables precise filling of the boxes.  

Agrar-Genossenschaft Selow eG

The first of its kind

At the end of September, we visited the Agrar-Genossenschaft Selow eG. The company has been harvested with ROPA Keiler 2 since 2017. As one of the first Keilers in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, the attention and, of course, the expectations were huge. The Agrar-Genossenschaft Selow eG mainly grows starch potatoes on about 165 ha of land.
After almost 4 harvest campaigns with the Keiler, head of operations Axel Wichmann remains confident about its efficiency: "It started working immediately after delivery and has never failed us since."

 

Its construction, drive and operation are hard to compete with

The driver Frank Gendig, can only agree with this opinion. At the time, he helped to make the final decision: "In 2017, a demonstration machine came from Kyritz. It convinced us immediately. The entire drive concept without rattling chains and the high-quality construction of the machine were the key factors for us."
The ROPA operating concept is also particularly user-friendly and clear. "The harvesting of potatoes has become much easier since we got the Keiler. We get a lot more done and as a driver I don't have any additional work to do thanks to the good automatic systems," says Gendig.
When asked if he would choose a Keiler again, he replied: "Anytime! I wouldn't know what to buy instead of the ROPA machine!"

Wildberger Agrar GmbH, Temnitztal

The right package

Wildberger Agrar GmbH farms in the Temnitz Valley near Neuruppin. The company has been using a ROPA Keiler since 2020. This Keiler 2, equipped with a wheel drive, harvests around 127 ha of potatoes annually.
In addition to the wheel drive, the Keiler 2 is equipped with a closed weather protection canopy. "Such complete package with weather protection, wheel drive and telescopic axle is not available from any other suppliers," said Michael Tretow, driver and head of potato cultivation at Wildberger Argar GmbH.
The wheel drive enables to meet delivery deadlines and volumes without any problems, especially when harvesting starch potatoes, even under the most difficult conditions. We start on fields where others have to stop. The single-side wheel drive is really sufficient and has always been reliable so far," explains Tretow.