ROPA Gecko

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Der ROPA Gecko im Einsatz

Auch in der vergangenen Saison haben wir intensiv untersucht, wie sich die Legetechnik auf die Entwicklung von Frühkartoffelbeständen auswirkt. Besonders hervorzuheben ist der deutliche Wachstumsvorsprung der mit dem Gecko gepflanzten Kartoffeln. Die innovative Technik der Maschine sorgt für eine keimschonende Ablage und ermöglicht einen höheren Ertrag.

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ROPA Gecko is the hand planter that gives you a head start in early potato cultivation

The Gecko, developed in collaboration with farmsupport, was specially designed for the cultivation of early potatoes. No other machine on the market can plant pre-sprouted potatoes so gently and efficiently. This is crucial, as every damaged sprout results in a loss of valuable growing time, reduces yield and thus profitability.

The Gecko was designed with a focus on ergonomic working conditions, precise placement of tubers and, above all, maximum protection of sprouts. All this comes with a field-tested area performance of more than 6 hectares in an 8-hour working day.

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Planting without breaking the sprouts

Two operators work on each planting row. They put the sprouted potatoes lengthwise on the gentle and protective belts, which convey tubers without any grinding contact until they are deposited precisely in the soil. The distance between plants can be variably adjusted in 16 stages.
Tramline control, drawbar steering, mechanical drive and a transport width of only three meters make the Gecko a user-friendly solution for cultivation of early potatoes. 

User-friendly technology, precise depositing and efficient organization of boxes

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.

Loading space

Loading space

The four-row planter can be loaded with up to 4 full pallets on which the pre-sprouted potatoes are stored in boxes and has some additional storage space for the empty boxes

Box circulation

Box circulation

An operator loads the conveyor belts with full boxes of potatoes and ensures that the boxes are returned emptied

Planting

Planting

8 operators take the pre-sprouted tubers from boxes on the conveyor belt and put them into the planting belts

Planting belts

Planting belts

The mechanically driven planting belts lay the potatoes in 4 rows with a row distance of 75 cm.

Planting distance

Planting distance

The planting distance can be adjusted easily and quickly in 16 stages from 20 cm to 50 cm.

Technology and features at a glance:

• Planting capacity: > 6 ha per an 8-hour working day
• Planting speed: 3.5 km/h 
• Drawbar steering
• Mechanical drive
• Tramline deactivation
• Protective roof with lighting
• 5 spaces for pallets, 1 of which for empty boxes
• 4 rows with 75 cm row distance
• Planting distance adjustable in 16 stages
• Conveyor for boxes with box return function - easy loading and unloading 

New potatoes planted with ROPA Gecko hand planting machine

This technology ensures the best possible protection of the pre-sprouted potatoes and allows to achieve daily yields of about 6 ha. The combination of the gentle treatment of the pre-sprouted potatoes and the precisely adjustable planting distance ensures optimal planting of the potatoes as well as fast and uniform coverage of the field and homogeneous sorting of the crop.

For road transportation, the hand planter can be folded up to a road width of 3.0 m.

Optional equipment

Options such as a protective roof, lighting, a hand washing tank, and a storage compartment offer the planting personnel the best comfort even under rough weather conditions. Optional drawbar steering or tramline deactivation simplifies the driver's work.

Impressions