The potato loader Kartoffelmaus 5 has been designed by ROPA on the basis of the Maus 5 series model. A prototype of the potato loader was presented for the first time at the last Agritechnica. Since summer 2020 two potato loaders have been in operation at two companies: the Südstärke in Sünching (Bavaria) and the Emsland Group in the Kyritz area (Brandenburg).
The potato loader helps to increase efficiency and profitability of the starch potato logistics. Moreover, farmers can expand the scale of potato cultivation without having to invest in storage capacities at the same time. Positive results have also been shown with the loading of table potatoes, which are processed directly after delivery.
(Video available for download in the media center)
Cabin & operation
Height-adjustable cabin for the best all-round vision with touch terminal
The R-Cab cabin provides the machine operator with a first-class workplace and an unsurpassed all-round view. Wipers on all side windows and the door provide a clear view even in the rain. The pleasant and gorgeous interior of the new cabin combined with excellent sound insulation guarantee most comfortable operation. Extremely powerful fully LED working lights turn night into day.
Terminal
ROPA unites its new intuitive operating philosophy under the name R-Concept. A large 12.1 inch glass touch screen with WiFi interface performs as an information and command center for the machine. From here the operator monitors the entire machine, receives information about operating conditions and performance data, adjusts cleaning intensity and, thus, working results of the machine.
Operation
The operation is performed dually, either with a fingertip on the touch screen or by turning and pressing the "R-Select" and "R-Direct" rotary buttons, which are situated in the ergonomically perfect position on the newly designed control panel in the handle of the multifunctional joystick (with integrated mini joystick). The thin control panel in the operator position offers numerous possible adjustments for the physiologically optimal, comfortable seating position and at the same time increased visibility and seat heating in the comfort seat. Premium class workplace.
Additional details
Thanks to the continuous scale with automatic zeroing, transport vehicles can be optimally loaded without exceeding the legal limits. User-friendly control menus for interval windscreen wipers, lighting and water spray system, seat and park heating, etc. are all part of the comprehensive package.
Pickup system
8 m wide pickup system for gentle pickup and flexible cleaning adjustment
ROPA has developed an 8-meter wide pickup system. Pickup fingers work up to a depth of 5 cm and gently lift the potatoes. The tubers are transported by the conveyor chains over a comb roller onto the conveyor rollers. A total of 8 cleaning rollers ensure gentle and efficient soil and haulm removal. Depending on the level of cleaning required, its intensity can be adjusted from the operator cabin. After pickup, the tubers are transported to the infeed conveyor, which is constructed as a sieve chain. The infeed conveyor transfers potatoes through the machine into the cleaning trough in front of the truck conveyor.
Engine & hydraulics
Mercedes-Benz engine with 354 hp
The extremely economical 260 kW (354 hp), 7.7 l Mercedes Benz OM936 engine with 2-stage turbocharging, 1,400 Nm max. torque at 1,200 rpm (exhaust gas category 4 Final with AdBlue and SCR-Cat) is integrated in a drive concept maximized for efficiency. It is automatically driven at reduced engine rpm during loading, while at the same time maintaining enough power for extreme conditions.
Efficient hydraulics enables rotational speed reduction
The hydraulic system with optimized gear/revolution transmission provides efficient power transfer. It combines high throughput with very low fuel consumption at very quiet 1,200 loading rpm. Powerful load-sensing hydraulics ensures the highest possible hydraulic fluid capacity and a prompt response of the entire operating hydraulics even at idling speed.
Low counterweight - optimal balance
The counterweight arm, made of special 700 fine grain steel, contributes to the impressive performance of the Maus during loading while maintaining utmost machine stability. The counterweight arm is up to 9 m long and 4 m high and can be swung out together with the fuel tank, which serves as a counterweight to the loader, thus ensuring optimal balancing of the machine even at more than 15 m overloading width. The optional scale is integrated in the truck conveyor articulation part. All the overloading conveyor side walls are made of high-strength PU plates and can be turned in four directions.
Compact on the road
Preparation without leaving the cabin
For driving on the road, the complete Maus folds in automatically to a road width of 3 m and a total length of only 14.97 m with just one operating element in the cabin - unique among all the loaders! The wide wheel base of 5.5 m combined with three hydraulically sprung additional axles guarantees safe handling of the loader while maintaining the best driving comfort.
Machine construction in perfection
The main frame consists of laser-welded and angled profile tubes of 700 fine grained steel and offers very high stability. All components are functional, transparent and maintenance-friendly. The various detailed solutions, e.g. the automatic folding/unfolding mechanism, video-system at the terminal with 2 cameras in series (4 cameras optionally), reversible and swung up cooling fan, fuel filter monitoring etc. contribute to the highest possible performance at the lowest maintenance needs. Electronic data recording, fuel consumption gauging, air-conditioning, space heater, rear-view camera and central lubricating system are part of the very comprehensive standard equipment of the ROPA Kartoffelmaus 5.
Pile storage
Concept of pile storage of starch and processing potatoes
After lifting, the potatoes are loaded directly from the bunker into a 7.5-meter-wide pile at the edge of the field. The ground should be level and have no deep ruts. When laying out a pile, the harvester must be moved at an angle to the pile in order to use its full width. In the case of non-stop harvesting with overloading bunker, the pile is created by unloading the trailers at the back of the pile.
(Video available for download in the media center)
Soil adhering to the tubers dries off during storage and can be additionally cleaned off when loaded by the potato loader. The cleaning effect of the potato loader can be further improved by previously covering the pile with non-woven fabric, a particular advantage for potato piles with a high soil content.
Besides soil, the cleaning rollers in the pickup system and the 10-part pinch roller cleaner separate the most of stems and haulm. The truck conveyor, with up to 15 m overloading width, loads potatoes onto the transport vehicles. Thanks to the integrated scale system, transport vehicles can be optimally loaded without exceeding the legal limits.
Emsland-Stärke GmbH
Interview Holger Hanke, Emsland-Stärke GmbH
Holger Hanke, employee of Emsland-Stärke GmbH, who is responsible for raw material coordination at the Golßen, Kyritz and Hagenau plants, reports about his experiences with the ROPA potato harvester.
This is the second year that the ROPA potato harvester has been used at Emsland-Stärke. The reason for using it is to show farmers that the company can save a lot of logistics costs thanks to the power of this loader. The starch plant is thus much more powerful and proves that it's worthwhile now as before for farmers to plant potatoes.
Südstärke GmbH
Interview Martin Krinner Managing Director of the MR Straubing-Bogen
Use of the ROPA potato harvester at Südstärke GmbH in Sünching. Loading and removal are organized by the machine ring Straubing-Bogen. Managing Director Martin Krinner presents the system of potato loading with the ROPA Maus at Südstärke GmbH briefly in the interview.
Report in the Bayerisches Landwirtschaftliches Wochenblatt
