Prototype preview: Grimme Varitron 470 gen 3 | Potato harvest 2022

Earlier this year German potato specialist Grimme launched the third generation of their popular Varitron 470 self propelled potato harvester. Its styling is now similar to other products and the machine is powered by a 460 horsepower stage 5 engine (435 HP on the previous model). There is the TT (Terra Trac) version with Claas tracks and a wheeled version. Inside the cab you control the machine through a new armrest with 12.1in CCI 1200 terminal and the SmartView video system. The harvester lifts four 75cm wide ridges and the non-stop bunker holds 7 tonnes. There are many small updates on this machine.
Under the #Rowshow2022 name Grimme demonstrated the new machine in Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium and the UK. These are pre-production models and full availability starts in 2023. Two machines were displayed in Holland. The one featured extensively in this video is set up for clay soils and uses Dahlmann rollers and a Multi-Sep unit for cleaning. The wheeled version has a pintle belt (or hedgehog belt) for thrash extraction more suited to sandy soils. Various cleaning options are available on the Varitron.
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[@minacooking88]

Yum! Delicious fruits!

[@johnhatt1219]

What is the loss of potato’s from the back compared to other potato harvesters

[@Agrifotodotnl]

That all depends on the variety and size of the crop and mainly the settings of the machinery. Generally farmers want all the tubers which are larger than 35mm, any smaller and those cannot be sold.

[@sarah_farm]

You work so hard to build your dreams!

[@AgriDrone]

Nice video 👌 Nice motor sound 😍

[@Agrifotodotnl]

Thank you!

[@FinneyWambua]

Ain't this quite something! Definitely a beast of a machine. How does it compare to the Dewulf Enduro from what you have observed?

[@Agrifotodotnl]

Good question. The Enduro is a longer machine so you need a bigger headland for turning. I think the Dewulf has the edge over the Grimme when it comes to cleaning capacity, especially in wet conditions.

[@nielsberghe1432]

@@Agrifotodotnl Hello, the Enduro isn't longer than the Varitron or Puma 🙂 with all 3 axles steering the headland radius is very small

[@Agrifotodotnl]

@@nielsberghe1432 According to the manufacturers specifications the Grimme is 12,81m and the Dewulf 14,87m.

[@nielsberghe1432]

Yes, because the grimme is homologated without the haulm chopper while the Enduro is fully homologated included haulm chopper.

[@Agrifotodotnl]

@@nielsberghe1432 Ok didn't knew that 👍. Doesn't matter in the field though, unless you have hedges and fences.

[@woutjanFerwerda]

is dit in de Flevo polder gedaan?

[@Agrifotodotnl]

Klopt.

[@Tentoooooo]

Rowshow instead of roadshow, nice one haha :-) !

[@Mygirlfriend3141]

Hey just a question how close would this digger be to the ploeger patatoe harvester

[@Agrifotodotnl]

The lifting principle of the Ploeger and the Grimme are about the same. The Ploeger is a more versatile machine to lift a variety of crops whereas the Grimme is designed purely for potatoes. Also the bunker of a Ploeger is much larger.

[@andyhutch8262]

Why do makers show off their new machines in good going conditions? Put them in some knotty soil, woody tops, fat hen, red shank, out in the real world....I will tell you why, because they tend to be crap thats why.

[@pappu4539]

So these machines are bad??

[@Agrifotodotnl]

These are normal conditions for this part of the world so that is where farmers want to see them working.

[@iulibg]

The only manufacturer that I saw in mud and clay is dewulf. On their KZbin channel you can find such videos.