ROPA Euro Tiger 6S

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Introduction

ROPA Tiger 6S - greatly improved efficiency paired with digital networking in the most powerful sugar-beet lifter worldwide from the leader in the market. ROPA adds the Tiger 6S to its range of self-propelled sugar-beet lifters. It will be in series production in time for the 2020 harvest. After several years of field testing, pilot models are already in operation in parts of Europe for the 2019 season. A new generation of extremely high-performance computers forms the telematics centre with predictive analytics, online diagnostics and partially autonomous sugar-beet harvesting. The Tiger 6S now occupies the premium segment in the market and with its advanced computer architecture it is considerably more than the technical and visual continuing development of the current Tiger 6.

A New Image

The new image of the ROPA Tiger 6S symbolises digitalisation and Agriculture 4.0. The light-blue line shows and represents the networking of the Tiger internally and externally with the R-Connect online portal. The new product logo is based on the smooth geometric shapes of the low poly style. The play of light and shadow gives the Tiger 6S even greater depth and dynamic. The striking colouring with dark-grey outside contours harmonises with the pale aluminium grey and bright yellow. The Tiger is designed for pride in ownership, to arouse emotion and at the same time to meet the promise of quality.

TWO ENGINE VARIANTS - WITH MEGA-TORQUE – EXTREMELY ECONOMICAL

Volvo Penta TWD1683VE with 796 hp/585 kW Volvo Penta has designed this engine specifically for operation in the Tiger 6S. With 16.12 litre capacity, common rail injection, SCR catalytic converter and AdBlue, this engine type delivers its energy even more efficiently and is much cleaner. This powerful package with its dual turbochargers generates a huge maximum torque of 3650 Nm. At only 1000 rpm it already generates 3550 Nm, enabling the machine to save fuel and lift beets longer in the low speed range. With its modern technology this diesel engine complies with EU V emission category even without exhaust gas recirculation. The basis for greater daily output at less fuel consumption and even more power at lower speeds. Volvo Penta TAD1643VE-B with 768 hp/565 kW With a capacity of 16.12 litres and pump-nozzle injection (PDE), the engine of Tiger 6Sa is the reliable and robust power package, that many customers already know and appreciate from Tiger 6a. This engine does not require AdBlue, SCR catalyst and exhaust gas recirculation. A powerful torque of 3,260 Nm is transmitted by the stepless traction drive at optimal efficiency. This engine will no longer be available in the EU from the year 2021 due to changes in legislation.

PANORAMA CABIN WITH IMPROVED, COMFORTABLE OPERATION AND TWO R-TOUCH DISPLAYS

In comparison with the predecessors, the Tiger 6S has two 12.1-inch operating terminals with high pixel density resulting in even sharper resolution. Operation at the terminal with interactive buttons is even more intuitive and uses the same logic as tablets and smartphones.

In addition to the machine functions, two separate video streams can also be shown on the R-Touch display on the left A-pillar.

 

R-CONNECT ONLINE PORTAL

R-Connect telematics module and remote diagnostics as standard equipment The ROPA Tiger 6S comes with the efficient telematics hardware including SIM card for online access as standard equipment. The telematics module is thus the basis for proactive Service 4.0, particularly for predictive analytics and fast assistance and diagnostics if service is required on any continent. If service work is required, the service technician can link directly to the terminal and the machine controller to assist the driver with resolving the problem.

R-TRIM - AUTOMATIC DEFOLIATOR HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT

At the Agritechnica in Hanover ROPA presented two new developments that automatically adjust the working depths of the harvesting attachment on the Tiger 6S: • R-Trim - automatic adjustment of the defoliator height • R-Contour - automatic share depth adjustment of the individual rows at the RR lifting unit Both systems adapt their working depth to the changing conditions in the beet crop throughout the field. The automatic systems react to different crown heights or to ground unevenness crosswise to the direction of travel. The currently used measuring system at the scalper has been extended by an additional measuring system for recording the ground contour directly at the beet rows. 1. Normal beets - middle crown height; 2. Large beets - high crown height; 3. Normal beets - middle crown height; 4. Small beets - low crown height; 5. Angle sensor; 6. Defined defoliator height

R-CONTOUR

Automatic share depth adjustment of the individual rows at the RR lifting unit

The driver uses the joystick on the operating console to set the lifting depth as required and thus defines how deep the lifter share will penetrate the soil. Ultrasonic sensors beside every beet row record the ground surface contour. A new, powerful on-board computer processes the measured values and ensures that the lifting depth is maintained in accordance with the ground contour. Compared to the previous systems for automatic adjustment of single rows, this system has many advantages, particularly with higher growth in beet rows beside lanes.

R-BALANCE - HYDRAULIC CHASSIS WITH SLOPE COMPENSATION

On the slpe, the load and the gravity centre of the slope bottom side are shifted to the slope top side: this results in soil-protective sugar beet harvesting even on slopes.

Cabin

PANORAMIC VIEW

The cabin with improved, comfortable operation and two R-Touch displays

In comparison with the predecessors, the Tiger 6S has two 12.1-inch operating terminals with high pixel density resulting in even sharper resolution. Operation at the terminal with interactive buttons is even more intuitive and uses the same logic as tablets and smartphones.

In addition to the machine functions, two separate video streams can also be shown on the R-Touch display on the left A-pillar. The Tiger 6S has digital cameras as standard. The image quality of the digital cameras is significantly better, and an additional Ethernet network is integrated into the machine to handle the resulting greatly increased volumes of data.

High-tech machine with chassis for sustainable soil protection

Compared to the chassis on earlier 3-axle beet harvesters (with the central axle fixed to the frame), this reduces the sway of machine by one third! The reason for the improvement is the hydraulic connection of the cylinders at the front and rear axles on one side, so unevenness at one wheel at a different level only affects the frame by 33 per cent compared to the previous system. Thanks to the reduction of the chassis swing, the row and depth control are improved simultaneously, as the frame is averaged to the position of three axles. 

DRIVER'S POSITION

 

COMFORT

18,600 LUMENS ON THE DRIVER'S CABIN

 

Operation

Intuitive operating concept of the ROPA Tiger 6S

In this video, Ole Thielmann gives a brief overview of the basic functions and diverse setting options of the ROPA Tiger 6S. It provides an additional support in the upcoming campaign.

Operation at the terminal with interactive buttons is even more intuitive and uses the same logic as tablets and smartphones. In comparison with the predecessors, the Tiger 6S has two 12.1-inch operating terminals with high pixel density resulting in even sharper resolution.In addition to the machine functions, two separate video streams from the digital cameras, installed as standard, can also be shown on the R-Touch display on the left A-pillar.

ROPA Tiger 6S - additional information, documents, and videos

 

R-Connect

R-CONNECT ONLINE PORTAL

R-Connect telematics module and remote diagnostics as standard equipment

 

R-CONNECT - SIMPLY CONNECTED

Many things become much easier with the R-Connect

Many things become much easier with the R-Connect online portal, even if it's only about bringing a snack for the driver to the field.

Experience the numerous possibilities of ROPA R-Connect and talk to your ROPA company representative or sales partner.

R-CONNECT MONITOR - SILVER MEDAL AT AGRITECHNICA

R-Connect Monitor offers intelligent and fully automatic image documentation during the sugar beet harvest. Photos tagged with the location are automatically taken during lifting and while emptying the bunker. The pictures taken by the optional camera on the cabin roof for monitoring the state of the crop before harvest and the pictures of the camera on the unloading conveyor for checking the quality of the harvest during unloading are allocated to the lifting order in the R-Connect portal.

The harvested area, the yield (number of bunker fillings) and the position of the beet clamp can all be recorded. A visual record of the beet area before the harvest and also the result of the harvest can therefore be documented.

R-Connect monitor for image documentation

The harvested area, the yield (number of bunker fillings) and the position of the beet clamp can all be recorded. This Agritechnica innovation can now save a visual record of the beet area before the harvest and also the result of the harvest.

• Images tagged with location record.
• Documentation of the machine settings with the image.
• Photos tagged with the location are automatically taken during lifting and while emptying the bunker and allocated to the harvest order in the R-Connect portal.

INNOVATIONS AND NEW ITEMS AT AGRITECHNICA 2019

• Images showing the state of the beet crop before harvest in connection with the machine settings and position data
• Monitoring for weed abundance before lifting  
• Monitoring the beet crop for diseases, such as rhizoctonia, cercospora and nematodes
• Optional additional manual image documentation if irregularities cause problems with lifting, e.g. water in the field, foreign objects, power poles, overseeding etc.
• Pictures during unloading for quality control and documentation of the result of the harvest
• The documentation of the extraneous matter on the ground and weeds in the beet clamp is very useful information for the logistics of transport with reference to the time required, capability of storage of the beets etc.
• Contractors and harvesting cooperatives can use the pictures to show customers as evidence of, for example, requirements for increased work (lifting costs)
• A wide range of sensor data such as rpm, speeds, pressing, volume measurements etc. is much more informative when it is linked with pictures!

 

 

R-CONNECT ONLINE SERVICE

Remote diagnostics, help and maintenance

At Agritechnica in Hanover, ROPA demonstrated the new Tiger 6S, which is networked with the R-Connect portal via the telematics module installed as standard. ROPA's R-Connect monitor has won a silver medal for the innovations at Agritechnica for fully automated image documentation during the sugar beet harvest.

Now the online service is focused on the further development of the R-Connect online portal.

If a driver needs an assistance in case of service, the R-Connect online service can be used to provide a remote support. In the future, the downtime can be reduced thanks to the new functions of predictive maintenance (predictive service).

 

 

R-Soil Protect

Hydraulic chassis system - roll stabilisation with load compensation, patented

ROPA has developed an innovative chassis concept with an oscillating front axle in conjunction with two hydraulically supported rear axles specially for the flagship Tiger. Compared to the chassis on previous 3-axle beet harvesters (with the central axle fixed to the frame), this reduces the sway of machine by one third! The reason for the improvement is the hydraulic connection of the cylinders at the front and rear axles on one side, so unevenness at one wheel at a different level only affects the frame by 33 per cent compared to the previous system. Thanks to the reduction of the chassis swing, the row and depth control are improved simultaneously, as the frame is averaged to the position of three axles. The hydraulic connection of the axles always distributes the load equally over all 6 wheels.

The hydraulic chassis system minimizes tyres load and ground pressure, thus ensuring further reduction of tyre inflation pressure.

ROPA R-Soil Protect

• Significantly improved soil protection due to tyre pressure reduced by 1 bar in comparison with euro-Tiger V8-4 - unique for harvesting root crops
• 49% greater tyre contact area, 33% lower contact pressure with the IF1000/55 R32 CerexBib
• Significant reduction of load peaks by load transfer: by 8 % less on the first axle, 37 % less on the second axle, 43 % less on the third axle
• Equal load distribution on all wheels by networked hydraulics
• On the slope, the load and the gravity center of the slope bottom side are shifted to the slope top side
• Cleaning elements are guided horizontally even on slopes, providing perfect cleaning performance
• Soil-protective sugar beet harvesting also on the side slope without additional tyres inflation pressure increase
• Maintaining and protection of soil structure, ensuring infiltration capacity and air exchange

SOIL-PROTECTIVE HYDRAULIC CHASSIS SYSTEM WITH ULTRAFLEX TYRE TECHNOLOGY

 

Low tyre inflation pressure for sustainable land management

ROPA R-Soil Protect is the combination of a soil-protective, hydraulic chassis system with MICHELIN CerexBib tyre technology.This soil protection concept was awarded a silver medal at Agritechnica in Hanover. It only requires 1.4 bar tyre pressure and it is available as an option in the Tiger 6S. The synergy of the load-balancing hydraulic chassis with the new generation of MICHELIN IF1000/55 R32 CerexBib tyres offers even more contact surface with sustained soil protection and significantly reduced contact pressure.

HYDRAULIC CHASSIS SYSTEM

 

STEPLESS CVR GEARBOX FOR EFFICIENT POWER TRANSFER

Direct power transmission with cardan shafts ensures even traction at all wheels with very high torque

As a unique selling proposition on the market of 3-axle sugar beet harvesters, the Tiger has a direct power transmission via directly linear situated cardan shafts from traction drive to both rear axles and front axle, which is a great advantage for better traction in changing or difficult soil and harvesting conditions. Thanks to hydraulic chassis the load is always distributed evenly.

 

Stepless CVR gearbox for efficient power transfer

The new stepless traction drive was specifically developed by ROPA, Omsi and Bosch-Rexroth for the ROPA Tiger with its high drive power. The "constant variable ROPA" gearbox (CVR) consists of three hydraulic motors on a compound gearbox and is located between the engine compartment and the third axle. The maximum speed of 40 km/h can be reached by the Tiger 6S at an extremely economical 1,200 rpm. Harvesting in the field requires an engine speed of only 1,100 rpm. Depending on power requirements the rotational speed of the Tiger is automatically regulated up to 1,650 rpm. The multi-disk differential brakes integrated into the axles (protected from dirt) running in oil bath "tame" the Tiger as required. 

Harvesting Technology

SEMI-AUTONOMOUS HARVESTING

ROPA presented two new developments that automatically adjust the working depths of the harvesting attachment on the Tiger 6S:

• R-Trim - automatic adjustment of the defoliator height
• R-Contour - automatic share depth adjustment of the individual rows at the RR lifting unit

Both systems adapt their working depth to the changing conditions in the beet crop throughout the field. The automatic systems react to different crown heights or to ground unevenness crosswise to the direction of travel. The currently used measuring system at the scalper has been extended by an additional measuring system for recording the ground contour directly at the beet rows.

R-TRIM - AUTOMATIC DEFOLIATOR HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT

Automatic defoliator height adjustment and ground contour sensor system for better quality of the harvested beets combined with a significant ease of operation

A new powerful on-board computer on the lifting unit of the Tiger 6S reads all measured values within a split second and, with the aid of the newly developed software, changes the defoliator height or the lifting depth of the individual rows. The combination and interaction of both systems significantly relieve the driver, which allows partly autonomous guiding of the lifter attachment. Topping losses due to changes in the condition of the crop are avoided without stress for the driver despite the reduction in the size of cut-off leaf stalks. This prevents not only the unnecessary pickup of soil by the lifting share and increased fuel consumption due to excessively deep lifting, but also root fracture of the beet if harvesting too flat.

The Micro-Topper comb detects the crown height of the topped beets. A height profile (blue line in the chart) is calculated from the average values of these crown heights. The height of the defoliator shaft is constantly adjusted to this profile. This prevents too intensive topping of the beet crowns, e.g. when the beet crop changes from small to large. Furthermore, too large leaf stalks are avoided when the beet size changes from large to small.

 

How does it work?

The driver sets in the menu the desired height of the defoliator shaft over the cutting height of the scalper flail (red arrow in the chart). This setting defines the average length of the stalks remaining on the beet after the defoliator knives. An angle sensor on each Micro-Topper records the crown height of each beet row. In the case of differences in the crop growth (e.g. dry areas) the activated R-Trim automatically corrects the height guide of the defoliator shaft depending on the highest beet.

R-CONTOUR

Automatic share depth adjustment of the individual rows at the RR lifting unit

The machine operator uses the joystick on the operating console to set the lifting depth as required and thus defines how deep the lifter share will penetrate the soil. Ultrasonic sensors beside every beet row record the ground surface contour. Powerful on-board computers process the measured values and ensure that the lifting depth is maintained in accordance with the ground contour. Compared to the previous systems for automatic adjustment of single rows, this system has many advantages, particularly with higher growth in beet rows beside lanes.

How does it work?

The driver activates the R-Contour (ground contour sensor system) in the terminal. Thus, the share depth adapts to the ground contours. The activated R-Contour prevents root fracture of the beet if harvesting too flat or unnecessary pickup of soil if harvesting too deep. The share depth adjustment is displayed synchronously on the terminal.

AUTOMATIC SHARE DEPTH ADJUSTMENT FOR UNEVEN GROUND CONTOUR, ULTRASONIC SENSORS BESIDE EVERY BEET ROW RECORD THE GROUND SURFACE CONTOUR

RR LIFTING UNIT

RR lifting unit with automatic share depth adjustment of the individual rows and hydraulic stone protection

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 share 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 minimised with adjustable taper roller bearings in transmissions and the oscillating share drive.

With seven lifting rollers, welded as standard with extremely abrasion-resistant, carbide containing hard-coated wire "Ropa Screwtec". Simple, fast exchange of the lifting rollers for varying conditions (different diameters, outfeed, infeed, etc.)

 

CONVENIENT MAINTENANCE POSITION

Maintenance position

The defoliator and the lifter assembly can be raised hydraulically up to 90° above the lifting unit for service (scalper flails, lifting shares). It is raised from the cabin by pressing a button without requiring the driver to leave the cabin, or from the ground using the push buttons.

Start engine

The diesel engine can be started and switched off by pushing a button on the lifter.

DEFOLIATOR UNIT

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. The intensity of the cut can be easily adjusted from the cabin. You may choose between topping and "shaving off" leaves only (micro-topping).

RUBBER-DEFOLIATOR

RES - ROPA rubber defoliator

The speed and height of the two fully hydraulically powered and counter-rotating cleaning rotors can be independently adjusted – unique! The front shaft as a combined shaft is fitted with steel blades and cleaning rubbers, the second defoliator shaft is fitted with cleaning rubbers only.
Various settings can be stored and accessed on the joystick using a memory function.

 

CLEANING

Cleaning - gentle, efficient and individually adjustable

The hydraulically tensioned sieve conveyor efficiently transports the beets to the first strainer wheel. The portal axis enable maximum throughput without slowing the beet flow or damaging the beets. The driver can steplessly adjust the sieve conveyor speed and reverse it if necessary from the cabin. The beet flow monitoring prevents the beets from overflowing the machine. Three strainer wheels equipped with forged tines, which have improved speed adjustment (a separate pressure sensor for each strainer wheel), clean the beets with extreme efficiency and care. The offset carrier tines ensure fast forwarding even at low strainer wheel rotation speeds.

BUNKER

 

UNLOADING CONVEYOR

 

 

 

Engine

VOLVO PENTA - TWO ENGINE VARIANTS

Power package with mega torque – extreme economy

The Volvo Penta Stage V D16 off-road engine offers ROPA sugar beet harvesters high performance and reliability.

Michael Gruber (sugar beet technology area manager at ROPA Fahrzeug- und Maschinenbau GmbH) in the interview with Volvo Penta.

VOLVO PENTA TWD1683VE WITH 796 HP/585 KW

 

 

VOLVO PENTA TAD1643VE-B WITH 768 HP/565 KW

 

Tiger 6S XL

Extra Wide Harvesting Units

The ROPA Tiger 6S equipped with 8- or 9-row wide harvesting units of the RR-XL series is capable of covering significantly larger areas at reduced harvesting speed. Advantages of this version are reduced fuel consumption, lower fixed costs and an improved topping quality. With the wide RR-XL lifting units the front axle of the Tiger 6S can use even wider Michelin IF 900/60 R38 CerexBib2 tyres for greater soil protection. Less passes and manoeuvres also contribute to soil protection.

SIGNIFICANTLY GREATER AREA COVERED

Significantly higher area performance with reduced fuel consumption leads to lower costs during the profitable and efficient sugar beet harvesting season. Fewer passes and manoeuvres also contribute to better soil protection.

 

Technical Data