With the TOPPA series, GRIMME presents a new generation of haulm
toppers in various working widths. Low power consumption, a
redesigned housing and increased suction power are not the only
highlights.
Wide range of different models
With the TOPPA series, different models are available that enable
haulm topping of 2, 4, 6 or 8 rows in front and rear mounting or
alternatively in a front-rear machine-combination. GRIMME offers all
international, commonly used row widths and track widths, taking
into account different flail contours for crop cultivation in ridges or
beds.
2- and 4-row in solo-operation
The TOPPA 200 and TOPPA 400 are 2-row and 4-row haulm toppers,
respectively, which are suitable for both front and rear attachment.
By optimising the gearbox position, the angle of the PTO shaft to the
tractor has been flattened. This significantly reduces wear on the PTO
shafts, especially when lifting the haulm topper at the headland.
Another new feature is, that the 4-row machine with a row width of
90 cm is now also equipped with a continuous flail shaft – without any
bearing and missing flails in the middle of the shaft. Large
maintenance flaps across the entire width of the housing make it
easier to clean and change the flails.
6- and 8-row toppers as front-rear combination
The 6-row front-rear combination consists of the TOPPA 200 in the
front attachment of the tractor and a TOPPA 600 Combi in the rear.
The TOPPA 600 Combi is folded hydraulically so that two rows are
folded on either side of the tractor. The machine can be hydraulically
folded to a transport width of 3 metres for a fast change from field
to field
For an 8-row front-rear combination, the TOPPA 400 in the front is
combined with a TOPPA 800 Combi in the rear. Here, the two booms
in the back of the tractor are also folded hydraulically to operate two
rows twice. With the TOPPA 400 haulm topper, the road transport
width is 3.29 metres with a row width of 4 x 75 cm.
On both the TOPPA 600 Combi and the TOPPA 800 Combi, the two
booms can be controlled separately from each other via a hydraulic
control box or optionally via ISOBUS with AUX-N assignment. In
conjunction with the standard wide-angle PTO shafts, it is therefore
possible to lift the haulm toppers independently of each other on
wedge-shaped surfaces. The two housings are also pendulum
suspended, allowing them to adapt perfectly to uneven ground. An
optional hydraulic side shift is also available, which can be controlled
manually or, in the highest configuration level, can adapt fully
automatically to the alignment of the ridges. This is particularly
relevant if the number of rows of the planter does not match the
number of ridges of the haulm topper.
8-row in solo operation
With the TOPPA 800, GRIMME offers an 8-row haulm topper for rear
mounting, which can be hydraulically folded to an external width of
3 metres for road transport. The machine is particularly suitable for
farms with 8-row planting methods and for tractors without a front
PTO shaft.
Perfect down to the last detail
In the TOPPA series, the typical GRIMME flails are still used, which,
adapted to the ridge contour, ensure an even and clean flail pattern.
An optimised flail arrangement follows the trend of ever larger
ridges. In addition to other flail types, counter-blades can be installed
for optimum haulm shredding. These are completely closed and can
be positioned closer to the flail shaft in the event of flail wear to
ensure consistent work quality. In combination with the new,
extended haulm deflector plates, the placement of the potato haulm
between the ridges is significantly improved. This has advantages for
subsequent chemical siccation, for example, as it ensures good
wetting of the stems.
RidgeRunner against green tubers
Optionally, superficial ridge pressing wheels (so-called RidgeRunner)
can be selected for each row, which close cracks on the top of the
ridges after haulm has been topped. The individual suspension
enables optimum adaptation to each row. The extremely low tyre
pressure allows the wheels to roll in a targeted manner so that cracks
in the ridges are closed. The potatoes can thus be protected from
direct sunlight and the risk of green tubers can be reduced. At the
same time, fulling ensures that the wheels clean themselves.
Optimum working height
The haulm topper is guided by the tractor’s three-point hydraulic
system and 175 R14 support wheels. The height of the support
wheels is adjusted either mechanically via a spindle or hydraulically
from the cab. The set working depth can easily be read off and
checked at a scale.
Implement road lifting frame for TOPPA 400
A new “implement road lifting frame” for the 4-row haulm toppers
has been developed for road transport with an external width of less
than 3 metres. For this purpose, the TOPPA 400 has an additional
three-point linkage on the outer left-hand side of the machine-frame.
By attaching to the lateral road lifting frame, the topper can be picked
up in transport position within a few minutes and can thus be moved
at unlimited transport speed.
