“The Barn-E PRO is the result of years of refinement”

In Delfstrahuizen, Friesland, Peter Holkema runs a dairy farm with 120 cows alongside his wife Yvonne and partner Remco. “The farm has been in the family for at least a hundred years,” he says. “We milk with two robots and have a greenhouse barn with two feed alleys and four rows of cubicles. In summer the cows go outside.” To keep the solid barn floors clean, Peter relies on one quiet powerhouse: the JOZ Barn-E PRO.

Testing, improving, benefiting

Peter has been using the Barn-E manure robot for four years and immediately enjoys every update JOZ rolls out. “I’m a test farmer for JOZ,” he explains. “That means I get to use new adjustments first. The Barn-E on our farm recently received key updates and now has exactly the same functionality as the new Barn-E PRO.”

“The Barn-E PRO is the result of years of refinement,” Peter says—and he’s right, because the PRO has been further developed on multiple fronts based on real-world feedback. The biggest change? “It’s now made from stainless steel. In previous versions, wear was greater—mainly from rust when the robot stood idle. That wear is now a thing of the past. As the name implies, stainless steel doesn’t rust, so the machine lasts much longer. That saves significantly on maintenance and parts over time.”

Easier to operate

Another handy improvement is the new handheld remote. “It used to be tucked away at the back. Now it has its own drawer—easier to reach and kept much cleaner. Great when the robot pauses or stalls: just press the remote and it’s off again.”

Built for solid floors

Peter switched to the Barn-E when he installed a solid floor in a newly built barn. “We previously used another scraper robot designed for slatted floors, but it often veered off course and malfunctioned. That wasn’t ideal—on a solid floor, you notice any cleaning delay immediately and manure builds up fast.”

Luckily, the Barn-E is purpose-built for solid floors. “It actively picks up the manure and removes it. That’s a world of difference—less mess, cleaner cows, and fewer hoof problems and other health issues.”

Updates that truly add value

Much attention has gone into the Barn-E PRO’s software. Peter explains: “Previously, different robot models ran different software versions. Now they’re aligned as much as possible, which is much more convenient for dealers maintaining them—so they can diagnose problems faster. As a test farmer, I’ve noticed the system has become even more stable.”

Other small details were improved too. “The rotor that collects manure used to have a narrow opening. In summer, when manure is thicker, bits would occasionally get stuck. That opening is now larger—this will make a big difference in hot months.”

Less work, more peace of mind

What does the Barn-E PRO deliver for Peter? “Peace of mind. The robot does its rounds and we barely have to think about it. It does its job with almost no malfunctions—and if anything does go wrong, JOZ is on our doorstep straight away.”

Peter highly recommends the Barn-E PRO to fellow farmers: “If conditions allow, it’s an ideal, powerful solution for keeping solid barn floors clean under intensive use. You do need the space—older, narrower barns may suit a smaller model. Fortunately, the Barn-E PRO comes in two cleaning widths (155 cm and 185 cm). In short: with the Barn-E PRO, you have real horsepower in your barn.”

Want to know more?

Interested in how the Barn-E PRO can help you achieve cleaner barns and lower maintenance on your dairy farm? Contact our experts or a dealer near you—they’ll be happy to find the best solution for your situation.