50 YEARS OF SELF-MOTION HARVESTING TECHNOLOGY
In 1969, GRIMME came up with the idea to develop self-propelled harvesters.
In 1969, GRIMME came up with the idea to develop self-propelled harvesters. The father of the current owner, Franz Grimme, Franz Grimme Senior, Deutz combined the front of the tractor with the single-row potato harvester of the Europa-Standard series. The rear wheels of the tractor were dismantled and installed on the modified axle of the combine harvester. The transmission was driven by a simple chain drive. With the first prototype, a self-propelled harvester was created that was very agile, clear and at the same time preserving the soil. This prototype was presented at the DLG (German agricultural association) exhibition in the same year and in Great Britain. But we've had bad luck with the machine over and over again. There was no market success and it fell into a port basin when it was returned due to improper fastening of the crane. It still lies there today.
Due to the very positive response, another self-propelled vehicle followed. The first two-row self-propelled potato harvester "DS series", completely developed by GRIMME, is launched. The DS 100 had a 3.5-ton bunker with a 100 hp Deutz engine. The version of an elevator harvester called the DS 80 had an 80 hp Deutz engine. By 1985, more than 250 GRIMME DS 80 units were built. To celebrate the company's 150th anniversary in 2011, the staff presented Franz Grimme with a completely refurbished DS 100, which is currently on display at the Damme factory.
In 1988, the third generation followed the two-row DLS 1700 with overload lift. This machine was produced until 1994. The DLS 1700 did not have an immediate successor as demand for self-propelled harvesting technology fell in the mid-90s.
In 1997, the trailed type two-row bunker harvester, the SE 150-60, with the patented SE principle (inclined elevator with mulch separation), was launched. The customer's request for a self-propelled version of this machine was triggered immediately.
