Safety Tips: Performing Maintenance on Cotton Harvester Parts

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When it comes to cotton harvest season, getting as much cotton picked as efficiently as possible is the most important thing on most farmers’ minds. So when a valuable piece of harvesting machinery breaks down, the first thing you must do is try to fix it as quickly as possible so everyone can get back to work. But, while the reasoning is sound—more picking equals more money—you must remember to always take safety into serious consideration. Instead of jumping right in to fixing the problem, take a few minutes to consider the safest way to complete the task.

Here are some helpful tips to keep you and your team safe when performing maintenance and repairs on cotton harvester parts:

  • Check the power: Whether it’s a dead battery or broken belt, be sure that whatever you are working on is disconnected from its power source. Occasionally, a jammed gear or slipped belt can give the illusion of no power, when the reality is that a small change can set a machine back into motion. This can result in serious bodily injury or even death. For this reason, if you are working on a detachable harvesting unit, take the time to disconnect it from the main machine. It may take more time, but it will be the safer route to take.
  • Buy the right parts: One reason machines fail is that their owners get new or replacement parts that are either not meant for the job or are of low quality. This can mean premature failures and a lot of frustration. Think of it this way: while a top quality manufacturer-approved cotton picking machine or part may be more expensive up front, you are likely to save a lot of time and money in the long run by buying it—instead of replacing the same failing part over and over again.
  • Work in teams: While it might seem like a waste of manpower to tackle mechanical fixes as a team, it can be a great way to stay safe. When working with heavy tractor parts and mechanical systems, having someone around to shut the system down completely or get help during an emergency can be the difference between life and death. So, although you might take all the necessary precautions to keep yourself safe when making repairs, there is no telling when a hydraulic jack could fail or a sleeve might get caught in a moving gear.
  • Communicate: When working around heavy machinery, let your team know where you are and what you’ll be doing—communication is key. If you don’t show up for lunch or aren’t answering your phone, your team will know to send someone to check on you. It may seem silly now, but if you are in trouble, you’ll be glad you followed this advice.

If a part cannot be repaired, then it may be time to look into replacement cotton harvester parts. Luckily, you can find all the top quality machine parts for your cotton harvester at Certi-Pik, USA. Call us today to learn more!