A special event in the agricultural engineering sector took place on Sunday, October 13, 2024, at the ROPA Rhineland subsidiary in Viersen-Boisheim. The traditional ROPA Open House, which is held every two years in alternation with Agritechnica, once again attracted a wide audience. The event was a great success due to exciting presentations, innovative machine demonstrations and a diverse accompanying program.
Around 5,000 visitors attended this major event, which was held at ROPA Rhineland in Viersen-Bosheim for the first time in the last 8 years. The potato and sugar beet harvesting demonstrations made for an interesting and varied program, as did the large agricultural technology exhibition with numerous exhibitors and the festival hall with entertainments for the young farmers.
Visitors were able to experience the latest ROPA machines live in action on over seven hectares of sugar beet and three hectares of potato fields. Three Tiger 6S sugar beet harvesters in combination with the Maus 6 loader and several single-row and double-row Keiler potato harvesters provided a particular highlight of the day.
Open house exceeds all expectations
Fortunately, the weather was kind to the organizers, it stayed dry during the event although it rained the night before and once again in the evening. Numerous visitors flooded in, making it one of the best-attended agricultural technology events in Europe this year.
The rush on all fields more than exceeded all expectations. All spectators were very impressed with the demonstration. The most remarkable highlight of the day was saved for the afternoon. The combined potato and sugar beet harvesting on a total of 10 hectares of demonstration fields.
Three Tigers and a Maus loader provided spectacular impressions harvesting and loading sugar beets. The ROPA Maus 6 loaded the harvested crop right outside the gates of ROPA Rhineland.
A real crowd-pleaser, new Keiler 2 as DoubleSelect, Classic or with 4 pintle belts
ROPA is now known as a premium manufacturer of the trailed potato harvesters. This is primarily due to unique technical features such as the fully hydraulic drive in combination with durable and maintenance-friendly mechanical construction properties.
The trailed single and double-row potato harvesters were demonstrated in action directly in front of the ROPA Rhineland gates.
A particular crowd-pleaser was the new generation of Keiler 2 potato harvesters, type RK22. The DoubleSelect variant with additional rotating finger comb on pintle belt 3 impressed with its enormous separation performance and harvesting efficiency. Early separation of clods and stones in the crop flow significantly reduces damage to the potatoes later on, thus ensuring that the potatoes are harvested even more gently. Each UFK can also be optionally equipped with revolving brushes (UBK).
Gecko - ROPA planter specially developed for pre-sprouted potatoes
In cooperation with farmsupport, ROPA has created a planter for pre-sprouted potatoes. Gecko, the hand planter from ROPA, combines gentle planting of pre-sprouted potatoes without breaking the sprouts with high effectiveness and good working conditions for the personnel. Two operators work on each planting row. They put potatoes lengthwise on the gentle and protective belts. These belts convey potatoes without any further stress and grinding contact until the tubers are deposited precisely in the soil. This technology allows optimal planting of potatoes with up to 12 cm length at a driving speed of 3.5 km/h. The distance between plants can be variably adjusted in 16 stages. The ROPA Gecko provides space for 5 pallets for efficient logistics of the planting material. Moreover, ROPA also offers other options such as a protective roof, drawbar steering, tramline deactivation and more for even greater convenience.
Diverse accompanying program and prominent guests
The event day began at 9:30 AM with a symposium that focused on current developments in the agricultural sector and offered some insights into the latest developments at the ROPA headquarters in Sittelsdorf and our international subsidiaries.
The symposium focused on speeches from distinguished experts such as Max Erath (crop consultant at N.U. Agrar), Heinz Leipertz (Head of Region Rhineland, Pfeifer & Langen GmbH & Co. KG) and Ferdi Buffen (Managing Director of Wilhelm Weuthen GmbH & Co. KG)
The following special guests appeared at this event: Ingrid Stigler (German Sugar Beet Queen), Laura Karl (German Sugar Beet Assistant Queen), Daniela Dreher (Bavarian Potato Queen) and Julia Klammer (Rhenish Potato Queen). At 2 PM, they welcomed the audience and pointed out the importance of innovation and technology in the agricultural sector.
Technical innovations, new developments and the latest news from Sittelsdorf
The technical innovations and new products were presented in addition to the practical demonstrations. Michael Gruber,Head of Sugar Beet Technology R&D, presented the latest developments in ROPA sugar beet harvesting technology. Dr. Rupert Geischeder, Head of Potato Technology, presented the latest technological breakthroughs in potato harvesting technology. The live demonstrations offered visitors an opportunity to experience the machines in action and discuss their impressions with the experts.
The presentation of modern potato storage technology by Sebastian Grünig (ROPA Rhineland), based on the Bijlsma-Hercules brand, also attracted a lot of attention.
Dr. Rupert Geischeder,
Head of Potato Technology at ROPA
Michael Gruber,
Head of Sugar Beet Technology at ROPA
Sebastian Grünig
Potato Technology Sales at ROPA Rhineland
Demonstration of Bijlsma Hercules potato storage technology
Bijlsma Hercules, a family-run company established in 1938, offers specialized equipment for storage, sorting and processing of potatoes, onions and other tubers. It focuses on a combination of standard equipment and customized solutions that meet customers' individual requirements. The products are distinguished by their low-noise, product-friendly electric drives and long-lasting quality. ROPA Rhineland is the official sales partner of Bijlsma Hercules. Various solutions from this brand were presented in action as a part of an open house exhibition.
An extensive program with machine show and exhibition with technology companies and plant breeders
The open house included a varied program, which included machine exhibitions, pre-owned machinery and an extensive professional exhibition from technology companies and plant breeders.
Remote-controlled ROPA LEGO Technic
Another highlight was presented by a LEGO fan, Allan Clausen from Denmark. The LEGO models of Tiger, Maus and Keiler that he built with great attention to detail are the impressive result of several years of precise work. It took up to three years to complete some of his first machines. All functions on the Maus as well as the Tiger and the Keiler can be remote-controlled from a tablet. The meticulously constructed models of this 51-year-old delight young and old alike, as they have already done many times on the ROPA stand at Agritechnica.
Delicious treats and a cozy atmosphere
There was no shortage of refreshments. Barbecue specialities, coffee, pastries and refreshing drinks provided everything one could wish for. In the festively decorated factory halls, visitors had the opportunity to socialize and reflect on the day and their impressions.
The latest ROPA collection in the fan shop was also in high demand. The youngest guests enjoyed a varied children's program with a bouncy castle, pedal tractor course and face painting.
In short, it was a successful day for technology and agriculture
The ROPA Open House 2024 offered a successful combination of fascinating presentations, impressive machine demonstrations and a varied supporting program. ROPA thanks all the visitors and looks forward to the next event in two years.