Mecklenburg-West Pomerania – the German state of big fields and lakes. The potato harvest, characterized by starch and industrial potatoes. The requirements for the harvest management, with the especially large fields like the ones we find in Mecklenburg-West Pomerania, are immense and unique.

Demo/tour MIHG Maschinen-, Instandsetzungs- und Handels GmbH, Petschow

Powerful loading efficiency

These were the main requirements of the 2021 demo tour at MIHG Maschinen-, Instandsetzungs- und Handels GmbH, Petschow. With the ROPA Keiler 2 L, MIHG was in the right place at the right time. All around the MIHG location Demmin in Mecklenburg-West Pomerania, the benefits of the ROPA Keiler 2 L proved themselves. Thanks to the loading bunker, it was possible to store the potatoes directly on the transport vehicle while harvesting. The time savings and loading efficiency inspired enthusiasm all over.

In addition to starch potatoes, the MIHG team also harvested french fry and chip potatoes, as well as sensitive seed potatoes. There was as much variety in the harvesting procedures and transport structures as in the kinds of potatoes harvested. Whether in the enriched system, that is, the harvest track with two additional rows added or the loading in the trough, trailr or in boxes; all of this was no problem for our Keiler.

Thanks to the 4 hedgehogs, good cleaning and separation was also possible even with a double flow of potatoes. Not to be forgotten in this case, the transfer roller, which ensured thorough additional cleaning between the bunker walking floor and truck conveyor belt.
Thanks to the flexible loading arm, it was possible to store potatoes gently even with the high sides of the transport vehicles. Thanks to the box filler, an additional fall stage was added and precise box filling was possible.  

Agrar-Genossenschaft Selow eG

The first of its kind

At the end of September, we visited the Agrar-Genossenschaft Selow eG. A ROPA Keiler 2 has been at home there since 2017. As one of the first Keilers in Mecklenburg-West Pomerania, of course the fuss and the expectations of our yellow newcomer were huge. On nearly 165 hectares of potato fields, the Agrar-Genossenschaft Selow eG primarily plants starch potatoes.
Operations manager Axel Wichmann is still convinced of the value of the Keiler 2 after almost 4 harvests. "We ordered it then, it arrived, ran right away, and it has never let us down yet."

 

Construction, drive and operation – simply unbeatable

Driver Frank Gendig seconds this opinion. He helped make the decision about which harvester to buy. "In 2017, a demonstrator came from Kyritz, and we were enthusiastic right away." The whole drive design, without clanking chains and the high-quality construction of the machine were characteristics that really helped us make the decision.
And the conversion to the ROPA operating concept was especially "child's play" thanks to the especially clear and self-explanatory design. "Since we have had the Keiler, the potato harvest is very relaxed since we can do much more and I as the driver don't have to do much thanks to the good automatic functions," says Gendig.
To the question of whether he would select a Keiler again, he answers: "Anytime! I wouldn't know what to buy instead of the ROPA!" 

Wildberger Agrar GmbH, Temnitztal

The whole package is right

Wildberger Agrar GmbH plants in the Temnitztal near Neuruppin. Wildberger Agrar GmbH has relied on a ROPA Keiler since the 2020 harvest. Their Keiler 2, which is equipped with WheelDrive, harvests approximately 127 hectares of potatoes each year.
In addition to the WheelDrive, the Keiler 2 is equipped with a closed weather roof. "No other provider offers this whole package with weather roof, wheel drive, and telescopic axis," said Michael Tretow, driver and manager of potato operations at Wildberger Agrar GmbH.
Thanks to the wheel drive, especially when harvesting starch potatoes, Michael Tretow can meet delivery dates and quantities without problems under even the most difficult conditions. "Where others have to stop harvesting, that's where we start. The one-sided wheel drive is really great and thus far, it has always worked reliably," reports Tretow.