There’s no doubt cotton is one of the great contributions America has made to global society, or that cotton production was and is an integral part of the American economy which led to becoming an international superpower. Without cotton, clothing would be made of expensive silk, heavy wool, or coarse uncomfortable flax linen. Cotton is used in other items as well, including coffee filters, paper currency, book bindings, and even tires. One aspect of the cotton product is to harvest the crop, typically “picking,” in order to provide the raw material for the end product.
The First Cotton Pickers: Manual Labor
Traditionally, cotton had to be picked by hand because of the nature of the plant. The boll is a protective shell which blooms into the usable fiber for making what the consumer recognizes as cotton fabric. Harvesting the entire plant makes no more sense than chopping down an apple tree in order to gather the fruit. Picking is extremely hard work, as it grows in tropical (or near tropical) humid hot climates, and the plant itself is sticky and dirty to work with. Manual labor worked historically when Native Americans and Asian peoples grew the crop for personal use or were able to sell the product for fair compensation compared to the amount of work. During colonial times in America, the atrocity of slave labor was required to meet European quotas for production at a valid price point.
Early Machines for Picking Cotton
In the 1850’s, American innovators began designing machines to speed harvesting, but they were impractical to use because of how they wound up getting jammed as the sticky raw material was run through them. It was more a matter of the Victorian Age industrial revolution than an actual attempt to solve a problem. A further issue was that at the time, the plant itself had not been engineered to bloom at once, but the machines were unable to determine which bolls were ready to be picked and which needed to wait until the next week’s harvest. Hand labor was the better solution.
After the American Civil War and the end of slavery as an institution, the need for industrialized farming became more apparent. In the late 1920’s, the Rust brothers, John Daniel and Mack, began working toward a practical solution. In 1933, John Rust received his first patent on a working cotton picker machine. There were some problems with the machine, it still required a fair amount of manual labor to clean and maintain it while running, but the basic design was valid and led to improvements which eventually provided a more useful and practical picking machine.
Other companies began to see the need and spend toward research and develop of a more practical picker which didn’t rely on Rust’s patents, unfortunately, their efforts were slowed by the demands on manufacturing toward military needs during World War II. Eventually, the International Harvester Company developed a working picker in 1944 which has changed the nature of production ever since.
Picker Machines versus Stripper Machinery
Modern Machine Types
Today’s pickers include machinery designs based on earlier inventions and newer styles based on modern technology. There are multiple solutions which fall under six general styles of pickers:
Picker style machines remove the blooms without damaging the unopened bolls, allowing for multiple runs for maximum harvest efficiency.
Thresher style pickers use a multi-stage system to harvest the entire plant and then remove the fibers from the stalk.
Pneumatic pickers use pressurized air to force the cotton off the plant rather than manually removing it.
Electrically charged pickers use a weak current to attach to the static electricity which naturally occurs in these fibers, then draw the cotton magnetically to a belt or rod.
Chemical sprays can target the harvestable portion of the plant and make it easier to pick, whether with a following pass using a machine or for laborers to harvest by hand.
Cotton strippers are actually a different type of machine which fulfills the same end goal. The stripper tends to be used in places where the climate doesn’t allow for multiple harvests, and simply “strips” off every bloom and boll regardless of whether it is valid toward making cloth as the end product.
Finding Parts for Repairs on Today’s Cotton Pickers
Picking cotton is a heavy job, even for a machine. As such, these pickers need replacement parts on a regular basis, such as provided by Certi-Pik, USA. Contact us for information on how to get your machine up and running again when you need repair parts.
When you start searching for high-quality, used John Deere cotton picker parts, you will quickly find that they are almost impossible to find in some cases. At Certi-Pik, USA, our team of cotton picker part specialists is here to help you find the right part for the right price. Are you wondering if used parts are worth the time?
When you compare the pricing across a new part from the manufacturer, a used part from online markets, or a new aftermarket part from us, you will almost always be spending less on products not coming directly from the OEM manufacturer. Take a look at the items we have in our inventory and see for yourself that working with Certi-Pik, USA, will save you time and money.
Maintaining your cotton harvester requires that you inspect several components. When signs of deterioration are showing, you know it is time to replace the parts. Other signs of wear and tear are decreased efficiency and mechanical problems. If you are leaving a lot of cotton behind, something is wrong. Let’s take a closer look at some common issues:
Leaving cotton behind: This generally indicates a problem with a component. Make some adjustments to the amount of pressure the pressure doors are applying to the plants and if that does not resolve the issue, take a closer look at some individual parts such as worn spindles, doffers, or moistener pads. If you use scrapping plates on your front or rear doors, check them also for wear or consider adding them. Picking conditions such as wetness of the plant could also affect your harvesters’ ability to pick well. On many occasions those who have switched from OEM style doors to our CTX line of pressure doors have experienced drastic improvement in the amount of cotton going in the basket and less left out in the field.
Maintenance issues: Maintain your machines. Don’t just park them and expect them to work efficiently next season.
Mechanical problems: Oil, dust, dirt, and debris can clog up your machinery. Keep everything as clear as possible and inspect your machine every day to ensure proper functionality. Be sure to pay special attention the to the doffing, moistener pad cleaning, and general suction areas to ensure your cotton has an open unobstructed path to get into your harvesters’ cotton containment area. We’ve made a few product improvements that are also worth considering such as our Anti-Plug Rear Pro16 service door and an Anti-Plug Clean out door used on the suction door. These can be used in place of the OEM designs, with no other alterations to your picking unit, to improve the volume of cotton flowing through your picking units’ suction area thus reducing plugging and increasing picking speed. Also consider checking your cotton blower fans: keeping lint off the blades will help keep the fan in balance and running smoothly.
What are the Downsides of Used Parts?
Used parts have an obvious downside from the get-go. They are used. When comparing a used part to a new part, you will almost always be able to see the difference. However, keep in mind that used parts tend to cost less than their new versions. Are you running an older machine? Instead of having replacement parts machined or special ordered, used parts may be available to keep you going. Deciding between new and used can also come down to how much you use your cotton picker. The more you use it, the higher-quality part you will want to use.
Components on cotton pickers encounter extraordinary wear and tear. This can make used parts questionable due to the fact that they have an unknown life expectancy, an unknown structural stability, and most likely do not come with a warranty at all. If they are warrantied, it may be for a short period of time. Used parts can be a risky investment. Other options provide excellent cost-saving benefits while still delivering high-end quality and durability.
How do Aftermarket Parts Compare?
Aftermarket parts give farmers an excellent option to replace worn-out components without having to spend the money on new factory parts. Certi-Pik, USA, is here to provide our customers with as many affordable options as possible. We have been working directly with cotton farmers for over 30 years and are proud of the work we do. We strive to be your trusted source for cotton picker replacement parts.
Using aftermarket parts is a fantastic way to save cash and keep your cotton picker going for another season or two. Cotton pickers have several parts that need to be inspected at the beginning of each season. If you do find a part that needs replaced, reach out to us, and we can get it to you quickly. At Certi-Pik, our priority is to get you exactly what you need as fast as possible.
For many years, cotton picking has been done by using hands due to the lack of appropriate equipment to do the harvesting. But since the world has evolved, cotton harvesting has also evolved, and harvesting has now become more comfortable and faster.
Cotton farmers have now embraced the cotton picker machine to maximize their production. The farmers are, however, experiencing mechanical problems with the picker while harvesting. Therefore, they are left wondering where they can purchase the cotton picker parts to repair their picker.
Luckily, you will get these replacement parts when you visit Certi-Pik, one of the aftermarket manufacturers. They always have your best interest in mind. They have many of the parts that a farmer needs for his or her cotton picker. Here are some of the most common harvester parts that customers frequently require:
Spindles
Doffers
Cam Rollers
Cam Tracks
Belts
How do Cotton-Picking Parts Fail?
Cotton picker machines are also prone to fail, just like any other machine. Since the device is made up of different components, failure is expected to happen. Here are various reasons as to how the cotton-picking parts may fail:
Taking Too Long Before Servicing and Maintaining Them
The service intervals between lubrication and maintenance are too far between. The picker must be serviced and maintained regularly. This will ensure they work efficiently throughout the picking season while eliminating any premature wear and breakage.
Inexperienced Manufacturing of Parts
Cotton picker components are in a very stressful environment, and therefore, they must be manufactured of high quality and with the highest amount of precision as possible. If this is not done, then the components are prone to fail within a short period of time.
Misusing the Cotton-Picker Parts
This can be using parts from other machines that were not designed for your Cotton Harvester or were substandard quality to begin with. If you utilize components from other harvesters in your picker, you may be making the machine fail since the components may not have been produced for that application, or model.
To avoid all these cotton picker parts’ failures, you should ensure that you regularly clean, maintain, and service your harvester so it continues to work efficiently. You can also hire professionals to ensure that your picker parts work at their peak capacity by lubricating the moistener pads and spindles. The professionals can also inspect your machine to let you know when your picker parts require replacement.
Which Parts Need to be Replaced More Often?
1. Spindles and Spindle Bushings
These are the most frequently replaced picker components that farmers and rebuilders need to replace. This is because during operation they are rotating at high speeds. Spindles will be required to be replaced if they are rusted, dull, or broke.
2. Doffers and Moistener pads
These parts come into contact with the spindles while they are rotating at high-speeds, and as a result, they wear and decrease in thickness, thus requiring replacement at the correct service intervals.
3. Cam Rollers
They are required to be maintained and replaced regularly to ensure that they run without any vibration and correctly guide the spindles in the bar assembly, which run at close tolerances, to prevent picker bar breakage.
4. Cam Track
This part is responsible for ensuring that the spindles, drums, doffers, and the moistener pads work together optimally in the picking system by maintaining the speed and running angle. They should therefore be replaced at the appropriate intervals to avoid unnecessary fires erupting in the picker.
5. Belts
Some responsibilities of the Belts are: turning the engine fans, water pumps, A/C compressor, and the fan rotor. Therefore, they should be regularly checked or replaced to ensure the cotton picker machine does not fail.
What Standard Tools are Required to Replace Parts?
A Cotton picker is a crucial machine, and its parts are not just replaced anyhow using all types of tools. The parts or components are usually replaced using specific professional tools that may come with the machine itself.
The professional tools are each specific to every part of the cotton picker. For example, the spindle has its specific tool which you can use to replace it.
Which Specialty Tools are Needed & Why?
The professional tools that are used are designed for each application, as each part has its replacement tool. Some of the unique tools needed for the repair are Bar Leveling Gauges, Cam track timing Gauges, and Spindle Nut Sockets. These tools are specifically designed to enhance the overall performance of the picker. The picker cannot work without these tools as they help maintain the various components in the picker.
A cotton harvester is a complex mechanical machine that every Cotton farmer must possess as it maximizes the yield potential, and the time it takes to harvest, unlike when you are using hands to pick the cotton. A farmer should not be worried if the parts fail as Certi-Pik, USA has a large variety of the required components that you will need for your repair.
If you rely on heavy machinery on a regular basis, then you need to make sure that these machines work. There are countless people who work in the farming and agricultural businesses and depend on their equipment to keep their customers happy, pay their bills, and put food on the table.
Sadly, difficulties in meeting these needs can arise from time to time and this could involve a cotton picker. When this happens, what are people supposed to do to find a replacement part for their machine?
One of the most popular cotton pickers that people use today is the John Deere Cotton Picker. This John Deere product is known for its reliability, its power, and its durability. At the same time, no machine is perfect, and the John Deere Cotton Picker can have issues from time to time.
When this takes place, everyone wants to make sure that they get their John Deere Cotton Picker back up and running as quickly as possible. The good news is that there are multiple options from which to choose when it comes to finding replacement parts for a John Deere Cotton Picker.
Purchase Replacement Parts Directly from John Deere for Cotton Pickers
The first option that everyone thinks about when it comes to replacement parts for a John Deere Cotton Picker involves going to your John Deere dealer. There are several benefits of contacting your local dealer for replacement components. Some of the biggest pros include:
Because the parts for the John Deere Cotton Picker are coming directly from John Deere, everyone knows that the parts are going to work as expected.
Furthermore, by contacting your John Deere Dealer for replacement components for your John Deere Cotton Picker, the components are going to be new, meaning that they will have the life expectancy of a new part.
John Deere is the expert on their own products, including the John Deere Cotton Picker, so they are going to be able to help people find the parts they need.
On the other hand, there are also several drawbacks to going to John Deere for mechanical replacement components as well. Some of the biggest drawbacks that everyone must note include:
By going to John Deere for replacement parts, it is possible that the sales team might try to upsell the customer to purchase extra components that they might not actually need.
It is possible that John Deere might have moved on to newer models and they might not make components for the older models anymore.
By going with new components from John Deere, the cost will be incredibly expensive, which could place people under a significant amount of financial stress.
These are the most important pros and cons that everyone must note when they are looking at John Deere for replacement components for the John Deere Cotton Picker. The good news is that there are other options available as well for those who are looking for replacement parts for the John Deere Cotton Picker.
The Option of Used or Salvaged Replacement Parts for Cotton Pickers
Another option that people might want to consider if they are looking for replacement components for the John Deere Cotton Picker is going with used components. Also called salvaged parts, these are components that have been used in the past and are now looking for a new home. Like the other options, it is important to weigh the pros and cons. Some of the benefits of going with used parts for the John Deere Cotton Picker include:
Because the components are used, they are going to be significantly less expensive.
Because all the parts are used, there is a much lower risk of someone being sold parts that they do not need.
There could be options from other brands or models that might work well with your John Deere Cotton Picker, opening new doors.
Some of the main drawbacks of going with used components for the John Deere Cotton Picker include:
Because the components have been used in the past, they may have also malfunctioned in the past, which means that they might do so again.
Used parts are almost always going to have a shorter lifespan, so people might find themselves in the same spot again soon.
If people buy components from another model, they might not be able to use them for their John Deere Cotton Picker.
It is important for everyone to carefully consider these benefits and drawbacks when they are looking for replacement pieces of the John Deere Cotton Picker. By thinking carefully about where the components are going to come from and how they are going to be used in the John Deere Cotton Picker, everyone is able to find the right components to get their Picker back up and running.
Look for the Top Aftermarket Parts for John Deere Cotton Pickers
In the end, the John Deere Cotton Picker is one of the most reliable cotton pickers on the market today. At the same time, no machine is perfect, and people might end up looking for replacement parts for the John Deere Cotton Picker. The two options are new and used parts. Both have their benefits and drawbacks; however, those who are looking to save money should consider going with parts for the John Deere Cotton Picker from aftermarket suppliers.
That is where we can help. At Certi-Pik, we take great pride in products we provide for John Deere, and Case IH cotton pickers, which sometimes exceeds the expectations of an OEM product. If you are looking for new replacement parts for your Picker, then we are here to help you.
We are ready to listen to your concerns and figure out which parts you need to get your machine back up and running. Count on us to get your John Deere Cotton Picker back into the fields for the next cotton harvest! Contact us today!
Harvest is no time for your cotton picker machine to have a mechanical failure. You’ve got deadlines to meet, and obligations to pay with the income. Luckily, you know the very company to call for help. They help with all brands of cotton picker machines. Not only do they stock almost every component in the picking units, but they have a great turnaround lead time on part orders. You might just make this harvest on time after all.
How Does A Cotton Picking Machine Work?
The cotton plant enters the front of the machine and is compressed between the pressure plate, and the grid bars in the picking zone. When the plant is compressed and the spindles pass through the grid bars, the multiple spindles turning at high speeds snatch the material from inside the bolls. The spindles have sharp barbs which cause the material to attach to the spindles.
The material clings to the spindles until they reach the doffers which are spinning in the same direction as the spindles but are turning at a higher speed. This higher speed allows the material to be stripped of the spindle. After the material is removed from the spindle, the spindle is cleaned of unwanted sap or debris when passing under the moistener pads allowing it to once again rotate back through the plant for more picking. The material then passes through the air system’s ductwork via suction until it is blown into a huge basket, or module builder. After the material is removed from the harvester, it is then brought to a gin, where it is cleaned and compacted into a standard bale.
Why Do Cotton Picker Parts Fail?
Machines break if their service and maintenance aren’t kept up. Cotton pickers are no different. We at Certi-Pik USA are vitally aware that picker components need to be produced with the utmost precision. With so many components needing to fit together we control our quality in house, and so can assure you of accurately made components. Any other inexperienced machinist cutting components badly is one of the reasons picker components fail. Additionally, using components not designed for your machine or forcing the part to fit something it wasn’t designed for will also make the machine fail.
Regular service and maintenance keeps machinery working at peak capacity. Although many a farmer may have good knowledge in up-keeping their equipment, it is good to contact a Licensed and professional service personnel if need should arise. Someone who regularly maintains this equipment will clean, service, and maintain your machine in order to keep it at peak performance without any question if it is done correctly. Between servicing, cleaning (namely removing debris from around the doffers, and moistener pads) and lubricating your picker should be done regularly and with the proper lubrication and oils.
Which Parts Of A Cotton Picker Need To Be Replaced The Most Often?
Spindles and spindle bushings aren’t the only components that need to be replaced frequently, because they are supported by other components:
Spindles come in close contact with doffers, and moistener pads. Frayed, or worn down moistener pads and doffers are a sign they need replacing.
Cam rollers that follow the cam track need to be maintained to ensure your equipment runs without excess vibration or unwanted interference of parts rotating at close tolerances.
Cam Track. Underlying the picking unit system is the cam track which keeps the drums, spindles, moistener pads, and doffers going strong. The cam track maintains spindle angle and speed, while also making sure the spindles are cleaned while moving beneath the moistener pads. The cam track is vital to the operation of a picker. Getting fouled and/or worn down results in inefficient picking and even fires.
Finally a potentially overlooked important area of your picker is the picking unit cabinet itself. In a harsh abrasive or corrosive environment worn parts due to moisture, and rust, or the inevitable plants or weeds that contact your cabinet can cause the sheet metal to bend, or wear through. An unwanted result of wear in the air suction area can cause an excessive air leak, resulting in a lack of suction, clogs, plugs, and even in worst cases a fire.
Other components to maintain or check periodically should include the various belts that turn the water pump, the engine fan, the A/C compressor, the alternator, and the fan rotor to name a few. Also be sure to keep an eye on the many different roller and needle bearings that keep everything rotating smoothly.
What Can Be Done To Prevent Parts From Failing?
Frequently inspecting and cleaning picker components is the first step to avoiding breakdowns and fires in cotton picking machines. If your picker is leaving too much material in the field, and if adjustments don’t make much difference in picker efficiency, then components need to be replaced.
Poor or no maintenance causes picker components to require replacement as well. Keep in mind that all of this can cause a fire which is bad news for your machine personnel as well as the machine and fields.
The Timing Of Maintenance And Service
Cotton picking machines are used once per year in most areas of the world. It’s important to at least visually check your picker’s components every season, and the doffing area might need to be cleaned every few hours when in use. The earlier you catch potential problems, the more efficient your machine will be next season.
The off season is the ideal time to inspect your machine and replace any components that are weak or worn. Keeping the picker’s components sharp and well maintained is critical to the machine’s operation. You don’t want to have your machine in the shop for service right before the harvest, or you could fall behind schedule.
Whatever the season, be sure to use good quality components from a reputable dealer. Using up to date pieces also ensures your machine will pick material efficiently for many years. Some dealers can also fabricate specific parts you need for your machine or custom make any part you need.
Obviously you can only inspect the parts you can see, so in any season keep your spindles sharp and their bushings running with correct clearances. Keep an eye on the tilt and height of your machine. This prevents leaving material in the fields.
Call upon us for your picker replacement parts and maintenance needs, and we’ll help you keep your machines running at peak performance in season and out.
