Semi-autonomous harvesting
ROPA presented two new developments that automatically adjust the working depths of the harvesting attachment on the Tiger 6S:
• 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.
R-Trim - automatic defoliator height adjustment
Automatic topper height adjustment and ground contour sensor system for better quality of the harvested beets combined with a significant ease of operation
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
A new powerful on-board computer on the lifting unit of the Tiger 6S reads all measured values within a split second and, with the aid of the newly developed software, changes the defoliator height or the lifting depth of 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.
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.
How does it work?
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
The machine operator uses the joystick on the operating console 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.
How does it work?
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.
Automatic share depth adjustment for uneven ground contour, ultrasonic sensors beside every beet row record the ground surface contour
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, completely maintenance-free hydraulic stone protection and single-row adjustment of the share depth. 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.
With seven lifting rollers, welded as standard with extremely abrasion-resistant, carbide containing hard-coated wire "Ropa Screwtec". Simple, fast exchange of the lifting rollers for varying conditions (different diameters, outfeed, infeed, etc.)
Details
Convenient maintenance position
Maintenance position
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 lifter.
RW lifting unit
ROPA wheel share lifter RW - High performance under extreme conditions
The ROPA wheel share lifter (RW) is specially designed for extreme and challenging harvesting conditions that often push harvesters with conventional lifters to their limits. It is particularly effective for heavily weeded crops and on clayey and very sticky soils, which are common in valleys. The RW lifter guarantees especially clean beet harvesting, as the soil is effectively removed from the beet instead of being pressed on. This results in a lower proportion of soil in the bunker and a higher harvest quality.
A key advantage of the ROPA RW lifter is its robust design combined withuntamed drive power of the wheel shares, which are unique on the market! It provides an advance on extremely sticky soils and ensures that the wheel shares do not stick to the soil. Even though this unit requires an experienced operator due to its special technology and controls, it offers better performance than conventional lifting units with vibrating shares under challenging conditions. It demonstrates particular superiority on wet or clayey soils by harvesting the beet gently and with minimum breakage of tubers.
The RW lifter features impressive technical innovations such as a precise linear guide and single row adjustment with individually suspended paddles. These ensure perfect adjustment to the beet rows and precise control of the harvesting depth. Despite these technological advances, the RW lifter is still challenging to operate. However, these challenges are more than outweighed by its outstanding performance under difficult harvesting conditions.
With the RW lifter, ROPA offers a top-class solution for farmers who have to harvest under extreme conditions but do not want to jeopardise the quality of the harvest.
Details
Convenient maintenance position
The rubber defoliator and the lifting assembly can be lifted hydraulically 90° or up to 180° for service and installation. 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. Impressive construction work of the ROPA development team.
RES RUBBER TOPPER - PRECISE AND FLEXIBLE REMOVAL OF BEET TOPS
RES - ROPA rubber defoliator
The ROPA RES topperensures precise and gentle removal of the beet tops.Both fully hydraulically driven and counter-rotating cleaning rotors represent a key feature of the system.They enable precise adjustment of the speed and height settings, which can be conveniently saved and recalled via the memory function of the joystick.
RES - ROPA rubber defoliator
Conclusion:
By adding the Tiger 6S with RW lifter and RES defoliator to its product range, ROPA has set new standards in the technology for challenging harvesting conditions. Thanks to the impressive performance of the wheel share lifting units and flexibility, this is the best choice for those who want to achieve the maximum harvesting quality and efficiency even under extreme harvesting conditions.
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.
Topper unit
RAS - ROPA all-round defoliator
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 be equipped with RBSO (without switch-over function to integral) with 4 fixed depth-control wheels as well as with a leaf pile conveyor for harvesting beet leaves (biogas or dairy cattle).
RIS/RISU - ROPA integral 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 (RISU) and mechanically folding leaf sensor or without depth-control wheels (RISU) with a hydraulically folding leaf sensor.
Micro-Topper
The comb of the Micro-Topper follows each beet head, adjusting the trimming gap to the size of the head, so that the beet is cut not too much and returns maximum yield. The intensity of the cut can be easily adjusted from the cabin. You may choose between topping and "shaving off" leaves only (micro-topping).
Maximum revenue with no additional effort
Cleaning
Cleaning - gentle, efficient and individually adjustable
The hydraulically tensioned sieve conveyor efficiently transports the beets to the first strainer wheel. The portal axle 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.
Offset strainer wheel tines
Agitator at the transition to the second strainer wheel (optional)
Cleaner on elevator rubber
Rotating transition tubes at the elevator infeed prevent accumulation of soil
View from above
Rotating transition tubes at the elevator infeed prevent accumulation of soil
View from below
Bunker
43 m³ large beet bunker
The automatic bunker filling allows optimum traction under all harvest conditions by excellent weight distribution.
Yield indicator using ultrasound sensors
Two ultrasound sensors measure the load by totalling the bunker loads and save it in the order database.
Unload conveyor
Extra-long unloading conveyor – faster bunker unloading
The extra-long unloading conveyor is attached high up. A great advantage when overloading on driving alongside trailers, as it is performed shallower. The unloading conveyor is 3-way foldable and 2000 mm wide for simple laying of 10-metre-wide piles or easy loading on trailers. Gentle polyurethane fingers guarantee high feeding capacity with short unloading times of less than 50 sec. with a full beet bunker holding approx. 43 m³.
Ergonomic control element
Fast truck loading, gentle and convenient bunker unloading. Control element on the left armrest for fine control of bunker unloading.