For millennia, human beings have facilitated the growth and cultivation of the cotton plant. This unique piece of flora is one of the most widely farmed and widely used agricultural products in the world, and continues to be one of the globe’s most significant crops. Cotton and its derivatives played extensive role in the formation of modern society, and the plant continues to shape the way that economies operate. The cotton industry continues to be one of the bedrock trades of civilization, even in today’s technologically advanced era.
The cotton picker spindle, invented in the late 1920s, allows this essential cash crop to be harvested with more efficiency than ever before. Over the past century, the cotton industry has continued to evolve and adapt to shifting technological abilities and changing market demands.
Because of its long history and unique taxonomical attributes, there are a number of interesting facts about the cotton plant and the continuously booming industry surrounding it. Here are just some of the most interesting things about the cotton plant and the related cotton industry:
Ancient origins: Cotton is one of the earliest known crops. Cotton seeds dating back to 450 B.C.E. have been found in Peru. It’s thought that cotton has been cultivated in places like India for more than 5,000 years.
Traveling plant: Cotton seeds are durable, and are designed to travel long distances! Cotton seeds can blow across oceans, and remain viable for thousands of miles. No matter where it is grown, cotton is cleaned and harvested in a similar manner.
Lots of uses: This plant isn’t just for clothing—cotton is also used to fill furniture, automobile upholstery and more! Cotton is also a key component of United States currency.
Using the whole plant: During processing, the entire cotton plant is used, not just the fibers. After a cotton picker spindle removes the fluffy bolls, the seeds are processed into cottonseed oil for human and animal consumption, and the stalks are tilled into the soil.
Cellulose substance: The fibers in a cotton boll are composed of cellulose, a natural polymer that can actually be digested by animals such as horses and cattle. Humans, however, cannot process cellulose.
Stronger with water: Cotton is actually stronger when it is wet, unlike other types of cellulose fibers, such as rayon and wood pulp. This means that it is especially valuable in medical and cleaning applications.
Certi-Pik, USA is the most dependable source of high-quality cotton picker spindle parts in the nation. You can count on us to have reliable components that can help you get your cotton picker spindle up and running in a prompt and effective manner. We are pleased to support the cotton industry, and are proud members of the United States’ agricultural community.
We have been making cotton picker spindle components since 1988. We fabricate a wide range of parts and specialty items for cotton growers of all sizes. If you are looking for a reliable source of supplies, reach out to one of our helpful teammates today!
Cotton production is an economic driver that benefits people across the globe. The commodity is harvested using a highly technical, automated process that requires a vast amount of technological know-how on behalf of the farmer. Before being brought to market, cotton must be turned from bolls, which are light, fluffy balls filled with seeds, into clean and sellable raw fibers. Two main harvesting methods exist for the processing of cotton bolls, both of which have a number of benefits and drawbacks.
Cotton strippers and cotton pickers are the two main types of harvesting equipment used in cotton production. Working with a qualified purveyor of cotton harvester parts is the best way to ensure that you are using a harvesting method that works for you and your land.
Cotton picker spindles
Cotton pickers use finger-like spindles to remove cotton from the bolls directly on the plant. This type of harvester is minimally invasive, and does very little damage to the plants themselves while in use. Typically, you will see cotton pickers running through fields multiple times throughout the growing season, because they do not do any damage to the plant while they are harvesting the ripe cotton from the bolls.
Cotton pickers are particularly useful in areas where repeat harvests are possible, because they allows farmers to maximize the investment they have placed in their fields.
Cotton pickers pass over unopened bolls, and leave the undesirable components of the boll behind on the plant. In most instances, cotton pickers are the more sensible option; however, it is recommended that you talk to a cotton harvester parts dealer prior to making any type of investment in cotton picking gear.
Cotton strippers
As the name suggests, cotton strippers literally strip all of the cotton directly off the stalks of the cotton plants. This is a much more invasive procedure than that which is employed by the cotton picker spindles; however, it can be useful in some instances.
Cotton strippers deposit the stalks, in addition to the unripe and green bolls, to the underside of the machine during the harvesting process. Once the ripe bolls are sorted, they will have to go through another machine after harvesting to be cleaned and have their seeds removed. Cotton strippers are generally only used in areas where repeat harvests are impossible; however, you should consult with a seller of cotton harvester parts before deciding which type of machine is right for you.
Since 1988, Certi-Pik, USA has been offering high-quality equipment solutions for cotton farmers across America’s Heartland. You can count on our dependable gear to get you through this year’s harvest and a plethora of harvests to come.
As a locally owned and operated firm, we are proud to offer some of the highest quality cotton harvester parts available. We are known throughout the region for our high-caliber equipment, and we seek to deliver a top-notch product for our own clients as well as for their customers. If you are wondering whether a cotton stripper or a cotton picker is right for you, you should reach out to one of our friendly representatives today.
The process of harvesting and processing cotton is a heavily automated procedure that requires a substantial amount of technical expertise and specialized equipment. Any cotton farmer knows the importance of keeping their gear up to date and in good repair. While many aspects of your cotton processing gear are maintained on an annual basis, cotton picker spindles are typically only serviced and replaced when needed. Knowing when to replace your cotton picker spindles and handling their replacement in a timely and efficient manner is an essential part of keeping your production and quality levels at a high standard.
You may be wondering, however, how you can tell when the spindles on your cotton picker should be replaced. Because they are not pieces of equipment in need of regular maintenance or annual replacement, you will have to rely on your own observations to determine when to replace your cotton picker spindles.
Here are just a few ways that you can identify cotton picker spindles that are in need of replacement:
Rusted spindles: Because cotton picker spindles are often exposed to the elements for long periods of time, they are susceptible to rust and other types of elemental damage. If your cotton picker spindles are beginning to rust, they should be replaced immediately so as to avoid affecting the quality of your produced cotton.
Snapped spindles: Because of the extensive amounts of work that cotton pickers perform, spindles are liable to snap off at any point, leaving just a shard of metal where the barb should be. If your spindles have snapped off at any place, you should begin replacing them sooner rather than later so as to avoid damaging your crop further.
Missing spindles: Some spindles may simply fall off or snap off at their base, meaning that there is a vacancy where your cotton picker spindles should be! If this is the case on your machinery, you should start the process of looking for replacement spindles as soon as possible. You should inspect your machine before replacing any missing spindles.
Dull spindles: If a cotton picker spindle has managed to stay intact throughout years of heavy usage, chances are, it’s become exceedingly dull. This can be a difficult problem to diagnose, but can ultimately be identified with a close visual inspection. Dull spindles can tear the cotton and reduce your operation’s overall productivity.
Since 1988, Certi-Pik, USA has been providing cotton farmers and manufacturers with the tools they need to provide their customers with high-quality cotton and cotton products. We are a locally owned and operated fabricator of cotton picker spindles and other machine components. You can count on us to deliver high-quality, dependable products that can assist you with your cotton harvesting and processing.
We are proud to serve America’s Heartland with dependable agricultural supplies that are recognized for their quality and reliability. If you believe that your cotton picker spindles may be in need of replacement, contact one of our friendly associates today to learn more about our extensive product offerings.
Farming is a way of life for some, while others rely on farmers and their crops for necessities like food to eat and materials to manufacture goods. The farming industry is ever evolving, especially the machinery used and methods employed, making crop harvesting less labor-intensive for some farmers and quicker and more efficient for others. Therefore, machines are not only used for cultivating acres of land, but for harvesting as well.
One such harvest method that has evolved over the years is cotton picking. The manual harvesting of cotton as performed in years past was physically painstaking and labor-intensive, making modern cotton picking technology something to admire and appreciate. Let’s take a look at a brief history of cotton pickers and the advancement of cotton harvester parts.
Early harvesting technology (1930s and 1940s)
All cotton harvests prior to the 1930s were performed by hand, and the product hand-carried in containers. It wasn’t until the late 1930s that the first cotton harvester prototype, labeled a Harvesting Locomotive, was created by John Rust. It seemed like he had found a solution to cotton harvesting. Unfortunately, the prototype was expensive and broke down easily.
In the 1940s, Rust’s cotton harvesting locomotive was redesigned with major improvements. The new machine was revealed to feature cotton picker spindles and a part that would later turn into doffers. This innovative design reduced the amount of labor needed during harvest; however, it was quickly discovered that it also degraded the cotton. Further improvement was needed.
New ideas begin to emerge (1950s to 1980s)
The 1950s came around, and with them, another new and improved cotton picker. It now sported a reinforced steel frame and several rows of cotton picker spindles. This cotton picker had baskets specifically for catching and storing cotton, and not too long later, an operator’s cabin would be added along with further improvements.
John Deere came into the picture in the 1980s and transformed the cotton harvester into a fully functional piece of harvesting equipment. Mass production of John Deere’s improved models and parts enhancements commenced with quality and efficiency in mind. During this time, cotton picking production increased 85 to 95 percent.
Modern Day Cotton Pickers
John Deere is still the leading innovator in the cotton harvesting industry. From the introduction of the four-row cotton picker in the 1980s to the six-row picker in the 1990s, you can bet this opened the door for John Deere to make further improvements. In 2009, manual labor associated with picking cotton reduced dramatically thanks to innovative and high-quality harvester machine parts and components. This is why farmers should choose the right cotton harvesting machine for their needs to ensure many seasons of successful cotton crop picking.
For safety, harvesting efficiency and a good cotton harvest, it’s important to use the best equipment for the job. No matter the particular cotton harvester parts you need, it’s a sure bet that the team at Certi-Pik, USA either has it or can get it for you. Call us for more information or to hear about our parts inventory today!
Like all crops, cotton must be harvested before further steps can be taken to prepare it for sale to consumers—this includes cleaning and packaging. First things first, once the cotton crop has grown to maturity, the cotton will need to be separated from its stalks. While cotton crops of the past were picked by hand, today’s cotton farmers are taking advantage of cotton harvesting machines. A cotton harvester is a relatively simple and effective machine, but it’s important that you invest in the right type of harvester to ensure an excellent harvest and high quality cotton.
When researching cotton harvesters, you will notice that there are two good options on the market: cotton strippers and cotton picker spindles. Both are made to assist in the cotton harvesting process, although they each have their own methods of doing so.
So, if both cotton strippers and cotton picker spindles are used to harvest cotton, is there a difference between the two?
What Is a Cotton Picker Machine?
Just as the name suggests, a cotton picker basically picks the cotton. It picks the cotton from the bolls—which are the fluffy and round clumps of cotton you see growing on the plants—using revolving prongs or finger-like spindles. The burr and used parts of the boll are left behind. As harsh as the picker looks, it is able to pick cotton quickly and efficiently without causing damage to the plant parts or the unopened bolls.
Since mature cotton plants will continuously produce during the growing season, it’s typical to see a cotton picker running through the cotton fields more than once throughout the harvest months, but only if the bolls are ripe and ready to go.
What Are Cotton Stripper Spindles?
In contrast to cotton pickers, cotton strippers are harvest machines that are used once, and used in areas where certain weather conditions prevent repeat harvests. As you can imagine, this harvesting method is more invasive in comparison to picking cotton bolls only when they are ripe.
In the case of cotton strippers, these machines are designed to pull the entire boll, whether ripe or still growing, or the plant stalk is cut as close to the ground as possible. Yes, the entire stalk is taken along with the bolls. Then another machine works to remove the burr and any unwanted vegetation, which is everything but the cotton material. Though collected, the unripe green bolls are not kept. Instead, they are separated out of the harvest and sent to the underside of the harvester.
Modern cotton picking equipment makes harvest time a lot simpler. Ultimately, it’s up to you, the farmer, to choose a harvester that best suits your needs. Either type of cotton machine will need regular care and maintenance to ensure maximum picking efficiency every harvest season. And since they are hard-working, you’ll need to plan ahead for replacement parts.
Make sure your cotton harvest goes smoothly with the help of cotton strippers or cotton picker spindles, as well as a stellar harvesting team. Contact us at Certi-Pik, USA to learn more about your cotton harvester options, and the cotton picker parts we offer!
