Greatly improved efficiency paired with digital networking in the world's most powerful two-axle sugar-beet harvester from the international market leader
Sporty, modern design is combined with manoeuvrability and agility in the new Panther 2S to create a "workhorse" for pure pleasure when harvesting 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 796 hp / 585 kW Volvo Penta inline engine with a maximum torque of 3,650 Nm 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. A new generation of extremely high-performance computers forms the centre for telematics, predictive analytics, online diagnostics and assistant systems for partially autonomous sugar-beet harvesting, just like in the Tiger 6S. The Panther 2S now occupies the premium segment of the two-axle market and, with its visionary computer architecture, is clearly more than just a technical and visual further development of the current Panther 2.
Further ingenious developments in the exterior design of the Panther 2S
The new image of the ROPA Panther 2S symbolises digitalisation, networking and Agriculture 4.0. The light-blue line shows and represents the networking of the Panther internally and externally with the R-Connect in the myROPA online portal. The Panther 2S is designed for pride in ownership, to appeal to emotions and at the same time to fulfil a promise of quality.
Cabin with new interior and two large 12.1 inch colour displays
The cabin with its panoramic view, adopted from Tiger 6S, gives a generous feeling of space and functions as a centre for artificial intelligence and partially autonomous sugar-beet harvesting. The driver's position in the Panther 2S is the visual manifestation 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 the clear colour composition on the modern flat design is even more intuitive and has the same logic as tablets and smartphones. Intentionally used contrasts improve legibility and usability.
In comparison with the previous model, the Panther 2S 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 and the status indications of unload conveyor and bunker unloading can also be displayed on the terminal on the left A-pillar. The Panther 2S has high definition digital cameras as standard. 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 when driving backwards or unloading the bunker. The unloading conveyor and the bunker unloading can be controlled even more conveniently with the new ergonomic joystick on the left armrest. Five function buttons on the right multifunction joystick can be assigned as desired, for example with the wide-area window wiper. The interior has been upgraded even further, compared to the Tiger 6S. A slim and multi-adjustable steering column allows even better visibility of the lifting unit.
Connection to myROPA with R-Connect telematics and remote diagnostics as standard
The standard integrated telematics module is the basis for proactive Service 4.0, particularly for predictive analytics and fast assistance and diagnostics if service is required on any continent. A service technician can link directly to the terminal and the machine control system to assist the driver, e.g. in solving problems, if it is required. The R-Connect in the myROPA portal is a perfect tool for drivers and managers for online order processing and optimisation of machines and fleets.
The efficient workhorse - extra long unloading conveyor for optimised overloading during lifting
The Panther 2S has an enormous cleaning power. The first strainer wheel with a 1.740 mm diameter is followed by two more, each with a diameter of 1.550 mm, before the beets are moved gently into the 1.000 mm wide bunker elevator.
The extra long unloading conveyor was based on the length and concept of the Tiger 6. It is located between both axes, directly after the articulated joint. When loading on trailers driving alongside, the transfer angle is shallower. The unloading conveyor is 1,600 mm wide and can be folded in 3 places. The Panther 2S impresses with its powerful bunker-emptying mechanism for faster truck loading on the move. Gentle polyurethane fingers guarantee high feeding capacity with short unloading times of as little as 50 seconds with a full beet bunker holding around 30 m³.
Automatic slope compensation for stability and agile harvesting also on slopes
The automatic slope compensation via four hydraulic cylinders and sensors is unique among two-axle beet harvesters. The entire vehicle is inclined to the slope by up to 7 % and thus held horizontally. The lifting unit runs itself scanning the soil surface. Thus, the slope stability is significantly improved. Even in extreme situations, the Panther keeps itself stable where other harvesters would tip over. Furthermore, driving comfort is increased as the driver remains in an upright seating position. Same as the Tiger 6S, it also has a 3-axle gyroscope with acceleration measurement for centrifugal force compensation for even finer slope control.
Direct power transmission with cardan shafts ensures very high torque and traction on all wheels
For the transmission of high drive power in the Panther 2S, ROPA offers no-compromise direct transmission via direct linear cardan shafts from the distributor gear to the rear axle and to the front axle. It guarantees the best possible traction even in variable or difficult soil and harvesting conditions. In the road mode, the drive can be adjusted stepless from 0 to 40 km/h at a reduced engine speed. And the new "intelligent main steering switch" automatically synchronises the articulation and the front-axle steering as well as the straight-ahead positioning of the rear axle.
Engine options - power packages with mega-torque and 16.12 litre capacity – extremely cost-effective
Same as the Tiger 6S, ROPA equips the Panther 2S with the reliable and cost-effective Volvo Penta six-cylinder inline engines. ROPA offers the following engines, depending on the requirements and national regulations:
Volvo Penta TWD1683VE with 796 hp / 585 kW
Volvo Penta has designed this engine specifically for operation in the Tiger 6S and now it is integrated in the Panther 2S. With 16.12 litre capacity, common rail injection, SCR catalytic converter and AdBlue, the power generation of this engine type is even more efficient and cleaner. This power package with dual turbocharging generates a huge maximum torque of 3,650 Nm. At only 1,000 rpm it already generates 3,550 Nm, enabling the machine to lift beets longer in the low speed range, i.e. fuel-saving. With its modern technology this diesel engine complies with the EU V emission category and the USA Tier 4f even without exhaust gas recirculation and particle filter.
Volvo Penta TAD1643VE-B with 768 hp/565 kW
With a capacity of 16.12 litres and pump-nozzle injection (PDE), this engine is the familiar and reliable power package used in the Tiger 6. It does not require AdBlue, SCR catalytic converter or exhaust gas recirculation. A powerful maximum torque of 3,260 Nm is efficiently transmitted by the stepless traction drive. Due to legal regulations, this engine is only available for markets outside the EU and the USA.
Automatic topper height and ground-contour sensors for semi-autonomous guiding of the lifter attachment
-> Better harvest quality and significantly easier operation
At the Agritechnica in Hanover ROPA presented two new developments that automatically adjust the working depths of the harvesting attachment on the Tiger 6S. These have also been
implemented in the Panther 2S.
• 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.
A new powerful on-board computer on the lifting unit reads all measured values within a split second and, with the aid of the newly developed software, changes the topper height or the lifting depth for the individual rows. The combination and interaction of both systems make the driver's work much easier and allow 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.
Many new convenient and useful details
Numerous new developments and optimised features offer additional benefits and comfort for drivers when operating the Panther 2S. For example, the machine is fully equipped with even more powerful LED lights, direction indicators and rotating beacons; a new design for the central electrical system; optimised working hydraulics for depth guides and cleaning units; a new machine controller that complies with current safety guidelines; an increased service-friendliness of the electrical and hydraulic systems.
The Panther 2S will be available for purchase as a production model for the 2022 sugar-beet season. Pre-production models are already in operation for this year's sugar-beet campaign. Particularly with the more powerful on-board electronic system and the far-reaching networking, ROPA sees the potential for even faster and optimised development of driver assistance systems, also with regard to the partially autonomous sugar-beet harvesting.
