R-Trim and R-Contour
Automatic topper height adjustment and ground contour sensor system for better quality of the harvested beets combined with a significant ease of operation
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 measuring system on the scalper has been extended by an additional measuring system with ultrasonic sensors to record the ground contour directly at the beet rows.
A powerful on-board computer on the lifting unit of the Panther 2S reads all measured values within a split second and changes the topper height or the lifting depth for the individual rows. The combination and interaction of both systems significantly relieve the driver. Topping losses are avoided despite the reduction in the size of cut-off leaf stalks without any stress for the driver. 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.
R-Trim - automatic defoliator height adjustment
1. Normal beets - middle crown height; 2. Large beets - high crown height; 3. Normal beets - middle crown height; 4. Small beets - low crown height; 5. Angle sensor; 6. Defined defoliator height
The Micro-Topper comb detects the crown height of the topped beets. The height profile (blue line in the chart) is calculated from the average values of these crown heights. The height of the topper shaft is constantly adjusted to this profile. This prevents too intensive topping of the beet crowns, e.g. when the beet crop changes from small to large. Furthermore, too large leaf stalks are avoided when the beet size changes from large to small.
R-Trim
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 topper 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 topper shaft depending on the highest beet.
R-Contour - automatic share depth adjustment of the individual rows at the RR lifting unit
Automatic share depth adjustment for uneven ground contour, ultrasonic sensors beside every beet row record the ground surface contour
The machine operator uses the joystick 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. Powerful on-board computers process the measured values and ensure 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.
R-Contour
The driver activates the R-Contour (ground contour sensor system) in the terminal. It adapts the share depth to the ground contours. 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.
Defoliator
ROPA integral defoliator
Standard model for normal harvesting conditions
Leaves from the beet crowns are mulched with robust topper knives and spread between the rows. This process spreads the beet leaves with all their nutrients evenly over the soil, forming the optimal basis for the subsequent cultivation for quick conversion of the green waste to humus. The integral defoliator is available with depth-control wheels (RIS) and manually foldable leaf sensor or without depth-control wheels (RISU) with a hydraulically foldable leaf sensor.
Also available with combined shaft
ROPA all-round topper
Integral leaf-layer or leaf ejector
The integral leaf layer shreds the beet leaves and deposits them between the rows. A press of the button in the cabin switches the machine between topping modes. When operating with leaf ejection the shredded beet leaves are spread over the harvested area by a leaf-spreader with a leaf auger feeding the leaves to it. Optionally, it can have 4 rigid depth-control wheels without switch-over function as well as a leaf pile conveyor for harvesting beet leaves (biogas or dairy cattle).
ROPA rubber-topper
The speed and height of the two fully hydraulically powered and counter-rotating cleaning rotors can be independently adjusted – unique! The front shaft designed as a combined shaft is fitted with steel blades and cleaning rubbers, the second topper shaft is fitted with cleaning rubbers only.
RES - ROPA rubber defoliator
Contractor and farmer Soeren Kremeike reports on his experiences of using the ROPA Tiger 6S with rubber defoliator
Sören Kremeike operates his own farm with biogas system in Brome (eastern Lower Saxony) and serves as an agricultural contractor, who has specialized in sugar beets – from sowing to harvesting. Since 2015, sugar beet has been harvested by a euro Tiger V8-4 with a rubber defoliator. For the 2020 harvest, the team selected a new Tiger 6S, also with rubber defoliator. The choice of rubber defoliator is based on the own biogas system and the demand for this process from various customers. Very good topping results can be achieved if the setting is correct. Service is provided by Palandt.
Micro-Topper 2
The comb of the Micro-Topper scans every beet head individually, adjusting the trimming gap to the size of the head, so that the beet is cut not too much or too less. Nothing is lost and the quality is better than ever.
Maximum revenue with no additional effort
RR lifting unit
RR lifting unit with automatic share depth adjustment of the individual rows and hydraulic stone protection
The RR lifting unit is equipped with counter-rotating oscillating shares, seven lifting rollers, welded as standard with extremely abrasion-resistant, carbide containing hard-coated wire "Ropa Screwtec", completely maintenance-free hydraulic stone protection and single-row adjustment of the share depth. Simple and fast exchange of the lifting rollers for varying conditions (different diameters, outfeed, infeed, etc.) The 850 mm large depth-control wheels combined with the intelligent three-point suspension guarantee accurate depth control of the lifter. Maintenance costs are minimised with adjustable taper roller bearings in transmissions and the oscillating share drive.
Details
Convenient maintenance position
Maintenance position of the RR lifting unit
The topper and the lifter assembly can be raised hydraulically up to 90° above the lifting unit for service (scalper flails, lifting shares). It is raised from the cabin by pressing a button without requiring the driver to leave the cabin, or from the ground using the push buttons.
Start engine
The diesel engine can be started and switched off by pushing a button on the lifting unit.
Cleaning
Gentle, efficient and individually adjustable
The hydraulically tensioned sieve conveyor efficiently transports the beets to the first strainer wheel. The portal axis enables maximum throughput without slowing the beet flow or damaging the beets. The driver can steplessly adjust the sieve conveyor speed and reverse it if necessary from the cabin. The beet flow monitoring prevents the beets from overflowing the machine. Three strainer wheels equipped with forged tines, which have improved speed adjustment (a separate pressure sensor for each strainer wheel), clean the beets with extreme efficiency and care. The offset carrier tines ensure fast forwarding even at low strainer wheel rotation speeds.
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.
Details from practice
Rotating transfer tube at the strainer wheel intake prevents soil accumulation
Offset strainer wheel tines
Agitator at the transition to the second strainer wheel
(optional)
Rotating transfer tube at the elevator intake prevents soil accumulation
View from above
Rotating transfer tube at the elevator intake prevents soil accumulation
View from below