PotatoEurope and Sugar Beet Expo 2026: practical field demonstrations, technical highlights and complete solutions from planting and harvesting through to loading
Sittelsdorf/Springe, September 2026 – At PotatoEurope and Sugar Beet Expo 2026, taking place on 9 and 10 September 2026 at Rittergut Gestorf 1 in Springe near Hanover, ROPA Fahrzeug- und Maschinenbau GmbH will present a comprehensive machinery programme for potato and sugar beet technology at booth GF 112 and in the practical field demonstrations. The focus is on machines for professional farms and contractors.
As a premium manufacturer and technology and innovation driver in sugar beet and potato technology, ROPA stands for high-performance, operationally reliable and value-retaining machines. The company’s appearance in Springe demonstrates the full breadth of ROPA technology: from precise potato planting, high-capacity potato harvesting technology and storage through to sugar beet harvesting, cleaning and loading.
Potato technology:
Planting technology at the ROPA booth
With the ROPA Leguan, ROPA is presenting its new development in potato planting technology. Following extensive practical use of initial prototypes, the machine will enter pre-series production in Central Europe for the 2027 season. It was developed to combine maximum precision, efficiency and operator comfort during planting.
At the technical core are the fully electric drive of the planting elements via brushless servo motors, the integrated 48 V electrical system and CAN bus control. This enables highly precise speed control, precisely adjustable planting distances and modern precision farming functions such as Section Control, Variable Rate Control and Tramline Control. Planting elements, seed dressing system and microgranule applicator can be individually controlled by GPS; automatic depth control via ultrasonic sensors helps maintain a constant planting depth even in changing soil conditions.
In addition, the ROPA GECKO planter for pre-sprouted potatoes will be exhibited at the booth. A haulm topper and a windrow pickup will also be on display. The windrow pickup demonstrates the flexibility of the Keiler series: thanks to the ROPA quick-change system, the range of applications can be easily adapted to different crops and harvesting methods, for example onions, carrots or celery.
Harvesting technology
In the practical potato demonstrations, ROPA will show three machines: the single-row trailed ROPA Keiler 1, the ROPA Keiler 2 RK22 DoubleSelect with additional picking platform, additional admixture track and transfer bunker, and the ROPA Keiler 2 RK22 Classic with XL bunker. This allows ROPA to cover a wide range of requirements, from the compact premium single-row harvester to high-performance two-row harvesting technology for high throughputs.
The Keiler 2 RK22 series combines high harvesting output with well-designed operation and extremely gentle separation performance. Technical features include the fully hydraulic drive, ISOBUS operation with 12-inch CCI 1200 terminal, large-volume 850/50 R30.5 tyres, a telescopic axle with 3.00 m transport width and 3.50 m overall width in the field, as well as automatic hydraulic tilt compensation for consistent cleaning performance even on side slopes. The standard bunker holds 7.5 t, while the Keiler 2 RK22 Classic XL has an 8 t bunker.
A technical highlight is the Keiler 2 RK22 DoubleSelect. An additional triple circulating finger comb (UFK) on the second pintle belt (Igel 2) significantly increases separation performance, especially in cloddy and stony soil conditions. By separating clods and stones early in the crop flow, downstream cleaning elements are relieved and damage to the potatoes is reduced. The DoubleSelect is available optionally with an additional picking platform and admixture track; this equipment is also available in combination with an XL or transfer bunker. Each UFK unit can optionally be equipped with circumferential brushes (UBK).
In Springe, the DoubleSelect will be shown in combination with a transfer bunker. An additional transfer roller and a cleaning web in the transfer unit provide further soil separation. At the same time, the unloading process can be controlled with particular sensitivity and precision, as the transfer arm and bunker floor can be metered separately. This clearly demonstrates gentle transfer to transport vehicles while driving.
The Keiler 2 RK22 Classic with XL bunker demonstrates its strengths above all in high throughput and on easily screenable soils, for example in the enriched harvesting method. The new intelligent trailing steering system is another focus for the Keiler 2 RK22: the system autonomously controls the steering axle, allows the harvester to follow the tractor precisely in track and supports the operator even when reversing. In this way, ROPA increases comfort, precision and agility at the headland and during manoeuvring. The intelligent trailing steering system can be retrofitted to all ROPA Keiler 2 RK22 models.
Storage technology from Bijlsma Hercules
As sales and service partner for Bijlsma Hercules in Germany, ROPA is also showing technology for cleaning, sorting, loading and storage in Springe. A clod and stone separator as well as a box filler, among other machines, will be displayed at the booth. A Bijlsma Hercules loading line will also be set up directly adjacent to the ROPA booth. This presents potato technology from the field right through to storage.
The storage technology on display complements the ROPA potato programme with solutions for gentle product handling after harvesting. The focus is on a consistent crop flow, separation of admixtures, efficient loading and gentle filling of boxes and storage equipment.
Sugar beet technology:
Maus 6
The ROPA Maus 6 will be shown in the demonstration for sugar beet loading. The machine stands for high cleaning and loading performance, maximum operator comfort and an efficient crop flow with gentle cleaning at the same time. The Maus 6 used in Springe is provided by Maschinengemeinschaft Calenberger Land GmbH.
Technical key data include the 10.20 m wide pickup system with 18 cleaning rollers, full adjustment of the cleaning intensity from the cab, and a loading reach of up to 15 m. The counterweight arm, which can swing out by more than 9 m, ensures optimum balance during loading. The height-adjustable comfort cab with all-round visibility, two 12.1-inch R-Touch terminals, digital camera system and integrated weighing system with CAN bus load cells supports the operator during long working days. For road transport, the Maus 6 folds fully automatically to a transport width of 3.00 m and an overall length of 14.97 m; travel speed is up to 40 km/h.
Tiger 6S
In beet harvesting, ROPA will demonstrate the Tiger 6S. The self-propelled, three-axle sugar beet harvester stands for field-proven top performance, extremely high operational reliability and maximum soil protection. The Tiger 6S used in Springe is provided by Rübenrodegemeinschaft Külf GbR.
A central element is the field-proven and extremely reliable Volvo Penta TWD1683VE with 16.12 litres displacement, 796 hp or 585 kW, and a maximum torque of 3,650 Nm. As early as 1,000 rpm, 3,550 Nm are available. Especially under changing harvesting conditions, this high torque provides ample power reserves and enables smooth, fuel-efficient operation in the low engine speed range.
With R-Soil Protect, R-Balance and automatic slope compensation, the Tiger 6S combines high traction with consistent soil protection. On side slopes, the chassis can be kept hydraulically level up to 10 percent, reducing ground pressure and rut depth while increasing ride comfort and slope stability. In addition, R-Trim for automatic topper height adjustment and R-Contour for automatic coulter depth adjustment of the individual rows support uniform harvesting quality. Two 12.1-inch operator terminals, R-Connect telematics and remote diagnostics round off the overall concept.
Taurus
As another highlight of sugar beet technology, ROPA will present the Taurus working together with the Tiger 6S. The transfer vehicle was developed for efficient, gentle transport of large quantities of beets in the field and enables the harvester to continue working without interruption. The Taurus is provided by Zuckerrübenrodegemeinschaft Mansfelder Land GbR.
With around 50 m³ bunker volume, R-Balance chassis, crab steering and 1000-series Michelin tyres, the Taurus is designed for high work rates and soil protection. By transferring beets while driving, harvester performance can be significantly increased because unloading times at the clamp are eliminated. The side unloading belt also enables the familiar formation of beet clamps without additional compaction underneath the clamp. Robust scraper floor technology and the well-proven unloading belt enable complete bunker unloading in around 50 seconds.
ROPA Fahrzeug- und Maschinenbau GmbH
ROPA is a family-owned mechanical engineering company headquartered in Sittelsdorf, Lower Bavaria. The company develops and manufactures high-performance machines for the harvesting, cleaning and loading of sugar beet as well as for potato technology. ROPA machines are used worldwide in more than 50 countries.
Practical focus, technical innovation, a high level of in-house production, reliable service and continuous development characterize the ROPA brand. The trade fair appearance in Springe underlines this claim: high-performance complete solutions for professional users – developed from practice for practice.
