With 450,000 visitors, of whom more than 130,000 come from abroad, and 2,820 exhibitors, Agritechnica came to a successful conclusion on November 16. For a whole week, it was devoted to the challenges and future questions of the industry.

ROPA is presenting the company's premium products and the latest innovations in the field of self-propelled sugar beet harvesters, loaders and the Keiler potato harvester at a large booth covering a total area of 1359 m².

ROPA was able to celebrate silver medals awarded to the potato press on the Keiler 2 potato harvester and the R-Connect monitor on the Tiger 6S.

The ROPA potato press is the new, sustainable, herbicide-free, resource-sparing process for preventing secondary potato growth in secondary crops. The potato press crushes and grinds the tubers sorted out via the discharge chutes and trash track. This promotes decay and consistently prevents the germination of tubers the next year. At the Agritechnica Innovation Awards in Hannover, ROPA was awarded the silver medal.

The driver 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. A new, powerful on-board computer processes the measured values and ensures 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 roads. 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.

ROPA is pushing forward to a new performance dimension with the Panther 2. Sporty modern design with maneuverability and agility combines with a "workhorse" in the new Panther 2 for pure pleasure when lifting beets. There are sufficient power reserves for the most extreme lifting conditions, and using XL lifting attachment demonstrates the centerpiece of it all: the new 768 hp or 796 hp Volvo inline engine with pump-nozzle injection and 16.12 liter capacity. The award winning and soil-protecting chassis system with roll stabilization and automatic slope compensation have been flawlessly integrated into the new machine design. The unloading conveyor derived from the Tiger 6 with a more powerful hopper emptying facilitates quicker loading while driving. The new comfort cabin with glass touch terminal and numerous automatic programs is the basis for outstanding driving comfort and the best lifting results.

Harvest chicory or sugar beets with the RR harvester on the ROPA Tiger

For the harvest of chicory or sugar beets, ROPA offers a divided share disc with quick-change system.

In just a few minutes, the harvesting tips for harvesting chicory can be replaced with harvest beam for the harvesting of sugar beets.

33 foot-wide pickup system - counterweight arm for optimal balance

The Maus 5 is impressive with the redesigned cabin. The proven Maus 5 cabin has been fitted with the ROPA Evolution driver's seat with heating and air conditioning. The overall design that combines capacity and efficiency with the 33 foot-wide pickup system and offers practice-oriented developments with the latest technical innovations. The counterweight arm, over 9 meters long, guarantees absolute stability even with the truck loader at maximum width.

The ROPA Keiler 2 is a 2-row trailed potato harvester with approx. 7.5 t bunker. As well as new details, the Keiler 2 has a fully hydraulic drive for optimal adjustment for cleaning. All cleaning devices maintain their set speed independently of the PTO speed. The result is reduced fuel consumption with reduced tractor engine speed.

The road transport width is only 10 feet, which allows the Keiler 2 to travel on public roads without requiring a special permit. With the telescoping axle it can be extended to a stable 138 inches in the field.

Keiler 2L with overloading bunker

The ROPA Keiler 2L is a 2-row trailed potato harvester with 5.5 t overloading bunker. As well as new details, the Keiler 2L, like the proven Keiler 2, has a fully hydraulic drive for optimal adjustment for cleaning. The Keiler 2L operates independently of the PTO speed and thus maintains all cleaning units in the optimal speed range. The result is reduced engine rpm of the tractor for low vibration and less noise during harvesting with low fuel consumption.

Recording, cleaning units and fully-hydraulic drive concept are identical to the Keiler 2 with standard bunker. All optional equipment such as drive axle, swath pickup, camera systems, etc. are also available for the Keiler 2L with overloading bunker.

ROPA is expanding its line of two-row complete potato harvesters to include the Keiler 2 Classic model, which will be available in series production for the 2020 harvest. After several years of field tests, the model will be available as a pre-series for the 2019 season in parts of Europe.

The new machine is generally similar to the well-known Keiler 2. The main difference is the separating systems. With the Classic, there are two instead of four hedgehog belts. The Classic has a very generous sorting platform, which accommodates up to 8 people on the gently ascending, large picking conveyor with an optional trash track. With the extendable platform, in addition to the trash track, the machine offers sufficient comfort for picking personnel. Paired with height-adjustable platforms, each workstation can be set up individually and ergonomically.