Machinery
Beet arrive on the rollerbed direct from the lifters and travel in one direction to the centre turbine which transports them to the main cleaning turbines under the machine.
Roll-out across line-up
Turbine, and new rollerbed beet transfer option demonstrated at Norfolk harvesting event
The new rollerbed is an option for the larger Beet Eater 625 model first, and it is expected to be available for the smaller Q-series soon. Even with the rollerbed fitted which replaces the two primary cleaning turbines, the Beet Eater 625 still has six turbines which Vervaet says provide marketleading cleaning capacity.
An opportunity to see the latest Vervaet self-propelled beet harvesters in action tempted hundreds of beet growers and contractors to visit a late season working day. David Williams was there. The demonstration was organised by Vervaet importer, J Riley Beet Harvesters (UK) Ltd. The biennial event proved extremely popular as the relatively easy 2021–22 beet harvesting campaign was ending. Approximately 500 people attended and managing director Jeremy Riley (pictured right) said there was a good mix of farmers and contractors – most of who were current Vervaet users as well as many who are considering switching to the brand.
New option Vervaet demonstrated its new rollerbed primary cleaning system for the first time. Availability of the rollerbed as an alternative to Vervaet’s long-favoured turbinebased system was announced last year, and two machines fitted with the new cleaner were trialled in the
UK this season. Rollerbeds have been standard on several competitor brand harvesters for many years, and by adding them to its options list, Vervaet is guaranteed to attract new customers who prefer the roller cleaning action. Jeremy stressed that the rollerbed isn’t replacing Vervaet’s popular turbine cleaners. “Turbines provide exceptional results in a wider variety of soil types and working conditions, and will remain the preferred system for most users. However, there are potential customers for Vervaet machines currently using other brands because of their rollerbed cleaners, in areas where soil types allow. Adding rollerbed cleaning to our options list means that these users will also be able to use our harvesters and enjoy all the other advantages associated with Vervaet machines, too.”
The new rollerbed primary cleaner option attracted considerable interest from current Vervaet owners as well as users of other brands.
Optimised beet flow
Potential speed increase
The new rollerbed consists of seven full width 100mm diameter rollers mounted directly behind the lifting shears. The parallel rollers are mounted perpendicular to the direction of travel. The rollers have external scrolls which grip the beet and distribute them across the bed. The two front rollers direct beet to the outsides of the bed, while subsequent rollers pull the beet back towards the middle. Shorter rollers on both sides at the rear of the bed create a backstop and direct beet towards the channel between the two front wheels. The speed of the rollers’ rotation is adjustable from the cab. The front six rollers rotate at the same speed, while the seventh roller has separate adjustment and can also be run in a reverse direction to contra-rotate against the preceding roller for more aggressive cleaning.
J Riley sales manager, Matt Carse, says that in some conditions a rollerbed allows faster working speeds. “On the right soils they offer good cleaning and are generally regarded as being gentler on beet. During testing, the 625 with a rollerbed operated in challenging conditions at more than 8kph and did a good job. I’m very pleased to be able to offer both turbine and rollerbed cleaning options which will broaden our range’s appeal.”
Turbine transfer retained
Rollerbed user North Norfolk-based beet contractor, Robert Wright was at the event. Trading as RC Wright Ltd he replaced his Vervaet 625 with turbine primary cleaning, with the first Vervaet 625 with a rollerbed, and was pleased with its performance through this year’s campaign. “Beet are lifted and delivered directly onto the rollerbed and that makes sense to me,” he continued over…
The J Riley team says that use of a central turbine which transports beet from the primary cleaner at the front, to the main cleaning turbines beneath the harvester, has always been considered a strong point of Vervaet’s design. This is retained when the rollerbed option is fitted, whereas competitor rollerbed machines use a conveyor trace running between the front wheels, and it is argued that the turbine ensures greater reliability and reduced maintenance.
Contractor Robert Wright (right) with Sam Wilton who worked with Robert this season.
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