Harvesting & Technology
Technology, terminal & details
The lifting units, engine compartments and cabins of the new ROPA Panther 2 and Tiger 6 series are largely identical in accordance with the ROPA design philosophy. Werner Hofbauer presents the new ROPA Panther 2 and explains some of the numerous new details.
RR lifting unit
Weight-optimized RR lifter with single-row adjustment
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 lifting 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 minimized with adjustable taper roller bearings in transmissions and the oscillating share drive.
Details
Convenient maintenance position - RR lifting unit
The convenient maintenance position is the best possible position for inspection and service of defoliator knives, scalper knife and lifting shares. The defoliator and lifting group can be raised to 90 degrees at the touch of a button from the cabin or the ground.
Start engine
The diesel engine can be started by pressing a button on the lifting unit to set the desired maintenance position.
Defoliator unit
RAS leaf ejection
ROPA all-round defoliator with leaf ejection
The beet leaves are shredded and transported by a leaf scroll to the leaf plate, which spreads them over the harvested area. A press of the button in the cabin switches the machine. An optional leaf collection conveyor can be installed for harvesting beet leaves (biogas or dairy).
PAS/RAS integral leaf-layer
ROPA all-round defoliator with integrated leaf storage
The beet leaves are shredded and deposited between the rows. A press of the button in the cabin switches the machine.
PIS/RIS - ROPA integral defoliator
ROPA integral defoliator - standard model for normal harvesting conditions
Leaves from the beet crowns are mulched with robust defoliator 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.
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. Nothing is lost, no sugar beet is trimmed too much, and the quality is better than ever. 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
Rubber-defoliator
The two fully hydraulically driven cleaning rotors can be independently adjusted in rotation speed and height – unique! Various settings can be stored and accessed on the joystick using a memory function. Each rotor shaft can be adjusted at the height independently from the other. As a result, the operator can react quickly and effectively to different requirements due to changing beet crops. Various settings can be stored and accessed on the joystick using a memory function.
RES - ROPA rubber defoliator
Contractor and farmer Sören Kremeike reports about his experiences with the ROPA Tiger 6S with 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. Starting in 2015, sugar beet harvesting was done with a euro Tiger V8-4 with defoliator. For the 2020 harvest, the team selected a new Tiger 6S, also with defoliator. The reasons for the defoliator are the own biogas system and the demand for this process from various customers. When set correctly, very good defoliating results can be achieved. Service is provided by Palandt.
Cleaning
Increased cleaning area and new strainer wheel cleaning
In accordance with the higher engine power, the cleaning power has also been adapted in the Panther 2. The RR lifting attachment has an additional seventh lifting roller included and therefore offers a cleaning area which is over 15 per cent larger. A wider inlet to the infeed web channel guarantees an even quicker beet flow to the enlarged strainer wheel area. After the first strainer wheel with 68-inch diameter, two more follow, each with a diameter of 61 inches, before the beets are moved gently into the 39-inch wide bunker elevator.
Bunker
30 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 yield, total the bunker charges, and save the result in the order database.
Unloading conveyor
Extremely long unloading conveyor - greater safety with greater distance
Gentle polyurethane fingers guarantee high feeding capacity with short unloading times of as little as 50 seconds with a full beet bunker holding around 30 cubic yards. The extra-long unloading conveyor was based on the length and concept of the Tiger 6. The unloading conveyer is 63 inches wide and foldable in 3 places. By basing this on the construction of the ROPA Tiger 6, the height could be further reduced despite the increased loading width - a major advantage for lifting under power lines.
Flat and fast truck loading
The significantly extended unloading conveyor is located between both axles immediately behind the articulated joint. The driver has a clear view of the unloading conveyor without additional cameras when loading trucks driving alongside. This allows the driver to load the trucks evenly from an ergonomically relaxed seat position. The best prerequisites for relaxed and loss-free sugar beet harvest, particularly during long days and at night.
When loading on trailers driving alongside, the transfer angle is shallower. Combined with the faster bunker unloading compared to the Panther 1, this enables even faster truck loading on the move. Even 13-foot-high trailers can be loaded safely and quickly. Two separate unloading conveyor heights can be saved on the bunker control panel for even greater safety.