The Washpower X150 delivers efficiency and required speed needed for sow farm near Leipzig in Germany

Located near Leipzig in Eastern Germany, is a modern swine operation spanning multiple sites. To improve daily workflow and ease the physical burden on farm staff, the farm recently invested in automated washing solutions from Washpower – purchasing a ProCleaner X100 for their finisher farm and the new flagship ProCleaner X150 for their sow facility.

Farm Manager Georg next to their X150, who has gained some good insights about their experiences on how the ProCleaner X150 has performed during the first three months of operation.

Washing complex barns with 2 nozzles and class leading speed

The sow farm manages approximately 2,500 sows, running a tight schedule and is washing two full days every week across both farrowing and nursery barns.

The team’s search for automation began at EuroTier back in 2022 and last year Washpower Sales Representative Birk visited the farm to demonstrate the ProCleaner X100. The plan was first to buy two X100 robots, but then the X150 robot was launched, and it became the obvious choice for their sow farm – featuring numerous structural obstacles, narrow passages and many sections – a perfect fit for the X150 robot delivering both ease of use, super fast washing with 2 nozzles and close to perfect washing results.

“We tried also another solution with one nozzle, but it took too long for washing. We needed a robot that could keep up with the speed of the washing team moving from section to section”

The launch of the ProCleaner X150 proved to be the exact match the farm needed:

• Fast Continuous Washing: The X150’s double foldable arms automatically navigate past obstacles without stopping the wash cycle, eliminating manual and time consuming repositioning.
• Rapid Turnaround: The high washing speed keeps pace with strict barn turnover schedules, ensuring sections are prepped quickly without delaying the next batch of pigs.
• Lightweight Mobility: Designed to be lightweight and nimble, the X150 is easily pushed and maneuvered between the farm’s 40 identical barn sections.

“For our sow farm, the robot needs to be moved frequently between sections. Not having to assemble or dismantle the washing arms every time makes a real difference. You simply wheel it in, plug in the water, and press start.”

High Cleaning Quality and 75% Time Saved

Before investing in the ProCleaner X150, barn cleaning required two full-time employees dedicated entirely to manual power washing. Today, a single worker oversees the process, with the robot handling the heavy lifting and leaving only minimal touch-ups.

A before and after shot of one of the pens in their farrowing barns, showing the washing results from the use of the Washpower X150.

Employee satisfaction & operational flexibility

The primary driver behind automating wasn’t just speed – it was improving the work environment for the entire team.

Some key points about the improvements:

• Recruitment & Retention: Manual washing is notoriously hard on staff. Offering modern, robotic equipment makes hiring and retaining reliable personnel noticeably easier.
• Holiday & Staff Coverage: During summer holiday periods the teams headcount was reduced, but the X150 maintained normal washing schedules without overburdening the remaining staff.
• User-Friendly Interface: Four to five employees regularly operate the robot. With 40 identical barn layouts, the pre-configured programs allow workers to select the desired section and start the job instantly.

A complete transformation in farm operations

The addition of the ProCleaner X150 was part of a broader upgrade, which also included a new high-pressure pump system and automated soaking with sprinklers. Combined, these upgrades have completely transformed the farm’s routine.

By reclaiming 20 hours of labor every week, the farms team now dedicates more time to animal care, management, and essential maintenance – ensuring a smoother, more efficient operation across the entire facility.

The X150 at work in one of their farrowing sections.

Georg finishes

“I don’t know all robots, but from what I see, it is a top one. It’s really easy to use and it is really fast.”