Choosing the Right Cotton Harvester for Your Farm
When it comes to harvesting cotton, having the right equipment is crucial. A suitable cotton harvester ensures optimal productivity and helps improve the quality of harvested cotton. With so many options available in the market, selecting the right cotton harvester for your farm can be a daunting task. In this blog, we will walk you through the important factors to consider when choosing a cotton harvester while highlighting the benefits of working with Certi-Pik, a renowned manufacturer of cotton harvester parts.
Understanding the Types of Cotton Harvesters
Before diving into the factors that will aid you in selecting the ideal cotton harvester for your farm, let’s familiarize ourselves with the two main types of cotton harvesters available on the market:
Stripper Harvesters
Stripper harvesters use mechanical beaters to strip the cotton bolls from the plant stalks. An important factor to consider is that more plant bark from the brushing action of the picker head will end up in the cotton, even with the harvested cotton undergoing initial processing inside the harvester with a burr extractor. Stripper harvesters are commonly used in areas where short-staple cotton varieties are grown in lower humidity or dry conditions and may improve yields in fields with a higher presence of cotton pests that may produce sticky cotton. Shorter plants with bolls closer to the ground can be picked more easily by a stripper. A stripper may also harvest better when picking cotton wet from rain where the fibers are matted together.
Picker Harvesters
Picker harvesters, also known as spindle pickers or spindle-type harvesters, are widely used in areas with higher humidity or where taller plants and cotton with longer staple cotton fibers are grown. These harvesters gently remove cotton fibers from the plant using multiple barbed spindles. Spindles, compared to the bats and brushes of a stripper, aid in cleanly picking the longer cotton fibers from the bolls. Pickers pull the cotton out of the burr instead of pulling much of the woody plant into the harvester, ensuring a product with a better grade or minimal plant residue desired by ginners. Some faster harvesting speeds can be achieved with high-yielding cotton because of one factor of not having to deal with the burr extractor in a stripper. Pickers can better pick cotton from taller plants with lots of bolls, and so are a more popular method of harvesting in most cases. In cases of picking shorter staple cotton, the deep scrapping plates designed by Certi-Pik, USA can help grab more of the cotton by utilizing the full length of the spindle.
Now that we have a basic understanding of the types of cotton harvesters, let’s delve into the factors you should consider when choosing one for your farm.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Cotton Harvester
Farm Size and Layout
One of the primary factors to consider is the size and layout of your farm. Based on your picking conditions or type of cotton, you may find Stripper harvesters or Pickers will cover more ground in a shorter amount of time, making them ideal for your farm. On the other hand, picker harvesters will harvest at faster speeds in higher-yielding cotton, offer more precision, and are better suited for farms with irregular layouts or smaller field sizes. Some farms have both on hand to be able to respond to the best method of the current picking conditions.
Climate and Crop Maturity
The climate conditions and the maturity of your cotton crops are crucial factors to consider. Stripper harvesters are better suited for dry conditions and shorter staple cotton, while picker harvesters are preferable in areas with higher humidity or when harvesting longer staple cotton. In either case, the plants pick best when the cotton is fluffed out compared to rain-damaged cotton and the plant, when mature, has been defoliated. If you experience regrowth in the late season due to moisture reintroduced in your plants, causing them to begin growing again, a stripper might find this more difficult to harvest than a picker.
Labor Availability and Costs
Evaluate the availability of labor and associated costs in your area. Stripper harvesters require less manual labor, using fewer moving parts to harvest the cotton in the header. On the other hand, picker harvesters may require additional labor and maintenance due to a more extensive picking system. As both require ginning, they do differ in the cleanliness of the cotton brought to the gin, the picker bringing in a better grade. Cost considerations include both labor expenses and the initial investment in a cotton harvester, whether leased, purchased, or custom farming is utilized.
Customization and Additional Features
Different cotton harvesters, which have changed vastly over the years, offer various customization options and additional features. Consider your specific requirements, such as the need for row sensing technology, cleaning systems, satellite tracking systems, or just personal comfort. Desired row spacing coupled with varying plant heights in certain agricultural environments can lead to skip row harvesting needs with custom-fabricated Suction Doors from Certi-Pik, USA. Take into account the availability of reliable service and support for any advanced features you opt for.
The Benefits of Choosing Certi-Pik, USA
When it comes to selecting a reliable cotton harvester for your farm, Certi-Pik, USA stands out as a leading manufacturer of cotton harvester replacement parts in the industry. Here’s why you should consider working with Certi-Pik:
Established Reputation
Certi-Pik has been supplying top-quality cotton harvester parts since founded in 1988. With extensive experience and a time-tested reputation, you can trust Certi-Pik to deliver reliable and efficient equipment solutions.
Innovative Technology
Certi-Pik continually invests in research and development to enhance your equipment’s performance. We continually strive to partner with Dealers and Farmers worldwide to produce top quality parts that you need ensuring improved efficiency and precision in harvesting.
Tailored Solutions
Certi-Pik understands that different farms have unique requirements. Striving to produce top-quality parts and innovative solutions for trouble areas in your harvester, we have your best interests in mind. From reasonable pricing to a desire to improve or make new parts that help in your cotton harvest. Our experienced team can help find a solution not considered before, guiding you in choosing the right parts for your harvester.
Comprehensive Support
Certi-Pik prioritizes customer satisfaction and offers comprehensive knowledge we’ve gained over the years. From installation to maintenance and repairs, our team is dedicated to offering the parts you need to help your cotton harvester operate smoothly all year round.
Take the Next Step with Certi-Pik, USA
Now that you have gained valuable insights into choosing the right cotton harvester for your farm, it’s time to take the next step. Browse our website to explore our range of top-quality cotton harvester parts. You can also reach out to our knowledgeable team for personalized guidance in selecting the parts that fit your harvester.
Don’t compromise on the efficiency and productivity of your cotton harvest. Partner with Certi-Pik, USA and experience the difference a reliable and advanced cotton harvester can make for your farm!