ROPA Tiger 6S and Volvo Penta D16
Since 2016, ROPA has been using the powerful and reliable engines manufactured by Volvo Penta in its sugar beet harvesters. This long-term cooperation inspired the engine manufacturer to shoot an episode of the Mighty Jobs video series, which would demonstrate the successful interaction between Volvo Penta's innovative technologies and the efficiency of ROPA machines.
Thus, the idea of producing an episode for the Mighty Jobs series featuring ROPA technology was based on this close partnership and collaboration. Volvo hired a professional film crew from Sweden and the presenter Lacey Rose from Canada, who also works in the forestry industry.
A detailed script was created to provide a comprehensive insight into the co-operation between ROPA and Volvo Penta. The videos are intended to present the diverse applications of the drives, highlighting both the machines and the working process as well as the people behind them.
Shooting took place at the plant site in Sittelsdorf and while harvesting beet on the nearby fields. The audience gets a glimpse of how the engines are assembled, the areas of operation of the Tiger and Panther and the construction, planning and design development of the machines.
The Volvo Penta engine TWD1683VE with 796 hp / 585 kW is the ideal match specifically developed for the ROPA machines. Thanks to its customised design and outstanding performance, as well as the strong collaboration between Volvo Penta and ROPA, this engine perfectly meets the requirements and demands of ROPA technology. The Tiger 6Sd engine, with a 16.12 litre capacity and common rail injection, offers efficient energy supply thanks to the SCR catalytic converter and AdBlue. This power package with dual turbocharging generates a maximum torque of 3,650 Nm. At only 1,000 rpm it already generates 3,550 Nm, enabling fuel-efficient harvesting in the low speed range. With its modern technology this diesel engine complies with EU V emission category even without exhaust gas recirculation.
The shooting caused quite a stir not only on the location, but also in the production department of ROPA. How would we introduce the sugar beet farming? Should we start with the candyfloss? But there is no candyfloss in the filed. In order to make it possible, the Müller candy factory, which has also been a part of the ROPA Open House for years, visited us to make delicious candyfloss on site. This spontaneous action led to an additional "Behind the Scenes" video.
But not everything went smoothly. For example, a camera fell in front of the harvesting unit during the lifting and was picked up by the Tiger together with the beet. However, the supposed mishap resulted in valuable recordings of the beet processed by the cleaning units up to to the bunker filling.
The video production not only provided a fascinating insight into the collaboration between ROPA and Volvo Penta, but also allowed us to gain a comprehensive experience of the innovative power of both companies.