Over the years, cotton has been grown for food, fiber, and fuel. Today, this versatile fiber can be found in clothes, towels, sheets, and is also used in medical procedures. While cotton has become a part of our daily lives, not many people know where it comes from. Here is part of the information you should know:
The Origins of Cotton
Considering that the world uses it more than any other fiber, this is a widely grown crop. The origin of these plants can be traced to the warm tropical and subtropical regions in the world. These regions are mainly found in Egypt, Africa, India, and the Americas. Today, it is grown on six continents and makes up about half of the global fiber market.
Over the years, India surpassed the U. S. and China to become the world’s top cultivator. China remains the second-largest producer of the crop in the world, with the U.S. coming in third. Some of the other top producers are Brazil and Pakistan. In terms of global trade in its raw form, China is the largest importer in the world, followed by Vietnam and Bangladesh coming in third. Other top importers as a raw material are Indonesia and Pakistan.
The U.S is the largest exporter of the material in the world, commanding over 40 percent of global exports. Brazil, India, and Australia are also top exporters. In Africa, Benin is the largest exporter on the continent.
What Types of Cotton are There?
While there are certain species that grow wild, growing them for sale would not make economic sense. As such, there are specific types that are grown commercially around the world. Here are the five main types:
Egyptian: This type grows in the hot-dry climate of the Nile Valley. It features extra-long fibers and delivers outstanding vibrancy, softness, and performance.
Sea Island: Although this type is relatively rare, it produces soft and luxurious fabric. It traces its origins in Latin America and is named after a group of islands along the coast of South Carolina.
American Pima:This extra-long-staple is considered the finest in the world. The fabric is luxuriously smooth, soft and strong, and resists fading, tearing and wrinkling.
Asiatic: This is an old species that has been cultivated for years. Although other species in China replaced it, it is still grown in India and Pakistan.
American Upland: Characterized by comparatively short fibers, this species is suitable for producing quality but affordable products that a majority of consumers can afford.
Where Does Pima Come From?
Considered the finest quality in the world, Pima was originally cultivated on the Sea Islands of South Carolina as far back as the 1790s. Throughout the 19th century, producers sought to develop extra-long-staple species that would be uniquely American. By doing cross-pollination with Egyptian varieties, the farmers produced American-Egyptian material that featured high-quality fiber that produced soft, luxurious, and strong fabric.
In the early 1900s, the USDA got involved, working in concert with the producers to perfect the variety. Pima was further improved in the 1950s, with advances in seed quality that ensured a superior quality crop.
Considering the desirable characteristics of Pima, there is a high demand for this variety. Some counterfeits have infiltrated the market. As such, always rely on scientific verification to tell if your material is pure Pima.
Where Does Egyptian Cotton Come From?
Egyptian material is another variety that produces quality and durable fabric. While the name may create the notion that this type is only grown in Egypt, the reality is a bit different. In fact, some of the leading producers in the world are India, China, and the U.S. This variety can also be found in Peru, and South America. However, due to Egypt’s climatic conditions, the material that comes from this country has significantly longer fibers.
This means that you should pay attention to the percentage of material and not the country of origin when buying Egyptian bedding or towels. Products that are 100 percent Egyptian material can last for between 40 and 50 years. However, you will need to take care of the fabric properly if it is to be durable.
High Quality Aftermarket Parts for All Harvesting Needs
For producers, harvesting can be a stressful and costly operation. The right harvesting equipment can help make your work easier and help you harvest from large fields in a shorter period of time. However, you will need to buy quality replacement parts for your machines when the components malfunction or wear out. Certi-Pik, USA sells quality and affordable aftermarket parts for John Deere and Case IH cotton pickers. Contact us today to place your order.
For cotton producers, the harvesting season can be a particularly busy and stressful time of the year. However, this period does not have to be horrible because you can use cotton collector machines to make operations more efficient and realize labor and equipment savings. The John Deere CP690 picker features Precision Cotton Harvesting Technology that offers amazing benefits.
What are the Engine Specs?
The CP690 harvester is a powerful system that comes with a turbocharged 6-cylinder, 13.5-liter engine. The engine makes up to 560 horsepower, with the power boost function providing an extra 30 horsepower to ensure more power to pick in demanding conditions. With the high output alternator that delivers up to 200 amps, you will have enough charge to power everything in the picker without depleting the battery.
What are the Harvesting Specs?
In addition to the engine that produces up to 560 horsepower, the in-line spindle-type picking units help to maximize capacity and productivity by reducing picking efficiency losses. The in-line configuration is such that the two drums pick from one side, effectively facilitating narrow row harvesting. This harvester is fitted with a round bale carrier that lets the operator carry completed round bales as he continues picking and making another round bale. The front and rear drums work together to ensure higher speeds and time maximization.
What is the Price of a Brand New One?
If you are looking for a brand new CP690 picker, you can expect to pay anything from $978,897 for the base machine. However, the manufacturer allows customers to build their own equipment, with the changes resulting in adjustments in the price. Some of the features that you can change include picking units, engine emission level, wheels and tires, drive axle extensions and drive shafts, display hardware, and receiver.
How Large is the Accumulator?
The newest John Deere collector accumulator features six rows, in spacings of 30, 36, 38, and 40 inches. With the high-volume accumulator, the machine can harvest cotton nonstop as it is processed.
The accumulator is where cotton is moved to once it has been harvested. Material is collected until the accumulator is full, after which it is forwarded to the round module chamber where belts form the round module. The completed round module is then placed at the end of the row. The big accumulator makes it possible for the operator to stay in the row.
How Big are the Modules?
The completed modules from the handler will measure up to 94 inches in diameter and 96 inches in width. With this size, it is easier to transport and store cotton, because large volumes of material are formed into a few modules to ensure simpler management. The size especially comes in handy when the material is harvested from a large field. In the end, proper transportation and storage will help to maintain quality.
What is the Average Baler Amount per Roll?
With a series of belts that roll the material into shape, the round bale builder has changed harvesting in remarkable ways. Each round bale that is produced measures 94 inches in diameter and weighs an average of 2.8 tons. A single round bale can produce about four standard bales.
What Years are this Model Available in?
The CP690 picker is available in different models ranging from 2016 to 2020. While the older models are generally cheaper, advanced features and new agricultural technology have been added to each subsequent model to make harvesting easier, faster, and more efficient. Before investing in a harvester, you may want to look at the various features that the machine has to ensure it will help meet your needs.
Where can I buy Replacement Parts?
When looking for replacement parts for your CP690 picker, you will want to find quality parts that will keep your machine running for a long time. There are two options that you can consider: aftermarket parts and parts from the original manufacturer.
For aftermarket parts, Certi-Pik has a wide range of quality cotton harvester replacement parts at competitive prices. In case you prefer buying parts from the original equipment manufacturer, you can purchase the replacement parts from John Deere. Make sure you choose the right spare parts for your model.
How Much do Replacement Parts Cost?
The price of harvester replacement parts will depend on the specific part you need as well as where you buy them from. Generally, aftermarket parts will be less expensive than the original equipment manufacturer parts. When buying from John Deere directly, depending on the part needed, prices can range from a few to several thousands of dollars.
Where Can I Buy a New Model?
If you want to purchase a new John Deere CP690 picker model, you will have to get it from an authorized dealership. While a new machine will be pricey, it will generally come with a warranty and involve fewer repairs. Another advantage of new models is that they have the latest technology, with the manufacturer providing the option of building your own unit to match your unique needs. The dealer may offer financing at an attractive rate that reduces the amount of interest you will pay during the term of the loan.
Where Can I Buy a Used Model?
A used model would be a great option if you are working with a limited budget. If you do your due diligence and establish that the machine is in good condition, it is likely to serve you for many years. There are quite a few reputable resellers that can be found online, with detailed information on the models being listed. To get a good deal, you should take the time to go through the pickers that are available for sale. Compare the prices, engine hours, and separator hours to find the best equipment for your needs. You can also contact your local dealer, as many licensed John Deere Dealers will often also have used models that they can show you.
What is the Charge per Acre?
When it comes to producing cotton-fiber, harvesting is one of the most costly operations. With a large amount of capital required and other responsibilities that come with owning harvest equipment, you can consider custom hiring. However, each of the options has its own advantages and disadvantages. When comparing the two, the following formula can be used:
Breakeven Acres = The Total Fixed Costs of Annual Harvest Equipment, Divided by the number found from the cost of hiring an operator to harvest minus the estimated cost of self harvesting.
So for example, if you were to determine that the total annual fixed cost for your harvester was $42,668, and estimated that the harvesting costs of labor, repairs, and fuel came out to $22.31 per acre, and you would then need to compare this to the cost of hiring an operator to do the harvesting for you. If you sourced a local operator who charged ten cents per pound, and you had an average yield of 812 pounds per acre, that would mean that their costs would be roughly $81.26 per acre.
When applied with this formula, $42,668 divided by ($81.26 minus $22.31), you will find that 724 acres will need to be harvested before the cost breaks even, and any number of acres beyond that will result in mounting savings.
What’s the Maximum Row Unit Sync Speed?
The maximum row-unit sync speed of the John Deere CP690 picker is 4.4 miles per hour. This is the speed at which the vehicle ground speed and the bars and spindles are well synchronized. The John Deere picker is a powerful and capable machine that will harvest quickly without compromising picking efficiency.
What is the Peak Horsepower?
This John Deere harvester is truly a game-changer when it comes to harvesting, delivering 590 horsepower when operating at peak performance. The 13.5-liter Tier 4 engine churns out 560 horsepower and an additional 30 horsepower when the power boost function is activated. With the increased power and performance, this machine allows you to pick more in less time even in tough conditions.
What is John Deere’s Next Generation ProDrive?
John Deere’s next-generation ProDrive is an advanced automatic shift transmission that enables the operator to achieve precise and consistent control of the machine in tough harvesting conditions. ProDrive promotes seamless shifting when going up and down hills and lets you choose the best speed depending on whether you are doing normal harvesting or faster fieldwork. The technology also delivers more torque at a harvesting speed to help make work light under tough conditions.
What are the Module Dimensions?
The round modules that the machine produces are 94 inches in diameter and 96 inches wide, which is a great size for when you need to manage harvests from large fields. The size of the modules also makes it easier to monitor harvests from different farms and transport the material conveniently.
What is the Module Weight?
Each of the modules weighs between 4,500 and 5,500 pounds. The module weight is roughly a quarter of the weight of a standard module, making it easy to cover the material with a plastic film for protection. Considering the size and power of the harvest equipment, the weight allows you to haul the modules from the field to the gin conveniently.
What is the Picking Unit Style?
The CP690 picker has in-line spindle picking units. Since the in-line arrangement has both drums on the right side of the row, the units will only pick from this side of the plant. This picking technology enables you to pick in a variety of conditions and helps to reduce picking efficiency losses.
How Many Bars are at the Front and Rear?
There are 16 bars at the front and 12 bars at the rear. The harvester bars are arranged on rotating drums, effectively pulling in the material when harvesting. These harvester bars work in concert to ensure that material is harvested quickly and that the quality is not affected.
Is it Front or Rear Wheel Drive?
This picker is a full-time rear-wheel drive. Since power is transferred to the back wheels, some of the advantages you will enjoy include better acceleration, superior handling, and improved braking. The rear-wheel-drive also improves handling in dry conditions and is associated with lower maintenance costs since they do not have many parts packed into a small space.
High Quality Aftermarket Parts for Your Cotton Picker
When you buy a John Deere CP690 picker for your harvesting needs, you are likely to achieve a more productive harvest with less labor. With the superior power and performance of the machine, you will save both time and money regardless of the harvesting conditions.
There are various types of cotton species and fabrics, each with its own attributes. Among these types, the Sea Island, Egyptian, Upland, and Pima are known to have superior characteristics. To choose the best fabric for you, you will need to know the differences between the available options.
What is Pima Cotton?
Pima is a higher-end, ultra-soft material that has longer fiber than standard varieties. Most consumers prize Pima for its reputation for producing smooth fabric that is rich in texture, extremely durable, wrinkle-resistant, pill-resistant, and soft to the touch.
According to manufacturers, this type of material is suitable for anyone with sensitive skin and has a considerably longer life expectancy compared to other products. While standard fibers measure a maximum of 1.1 inches long, Pima fibers can be as long as 1.4 to 2 inches.
The longer fiber presents an advantage when twisting the thread, giving the fabric the many desirable characteristics for which it is popular. Pima material is made from a specific type of plant known as Gossypium barbadense.
The unusual softness of Pima cotton makes it popular as a material for making luxury clothing items and bedsheets. Because of its absorbency and resistance to pilling, the material is also commonly used in towels.
Where is it Grown?
Despite the popularity that Pima enjoys, this type of fabric is only three percent of American-grown material and one percent of global production because the particular plant that produces this fabric can only grow in hot, arid environments.
Considered the finest variety in the world, the origins of this variety can be traced to the Sea Islands of South Carolina and date as far back as the early 1790s. In the 19th century, producers did selective cross-pollination with Egyptian varieties to develop an extra-long-staple variety that was uniquely American.
Originally known as American-Egyptian, the variety delivered high-quality fiber that produced soft, strong, and luxurious material. In the early 1900s, the US Department of Agriculture worked in collaboration with the Pima tribe of Arizona to further improve this young crop.
The staple variety was later named “Pima” in honor of the pioneering farmers. During the 1950s, the seed quality was improved further.
How is It Different From Egyptian Varieties?
There are three main species that are used to make the various products that we use on a day to day basis. These are Upland, Egyptian, and Pima. However, a good number of people cannot differentiate these varieties, especially premium types.
Both Egyptian and Pima varieties are categorized as extra-long staple kinds, meaning that they produce a soft fabric that is luxurious, strong, and resistant to wrinkling, fading, tearing, and pilling. Due to the many superior characteristics that the two types share, this is commonly referred to as the cousin of Egyptian.
However, the main difference between them is where they are grown. While Pima is mainly grown in the United States, Egyptian is produced in Egypt and thrives in the hot and dry climate that the coastal line of River Nile experiences
Provided they are authentic, and their origins can be established, both types offer outstanding quality. However, these products are slightly cheaper than their Egyptian counterparts.
Is Cotton Good for Hot Weather?
When summer sets in, you will want to make sure that you have the right clothes to allow you to enjoy the outdoors. The clothes you choose should not only wear well and look great but also help you stay comfortable throughout the scorching summer.
When it comes to fabric, this is one of the best for hot weather. The material is soft, breathable, lightweight, and comfortable. And due to its long and silky fibers, Pima is considered the highest quality type available.
The breathable fabric will absorb sweat from your body and allow it to evaporate into the air, effectively keeping you cool in the hot weather. Its absorbent nature will wick the moisture away from your skin, a factor that will discourage the growth of yeast and bacteria.
This natural material will also remain soft and cool to the touch. With the many fakes that flood the market today, you should take time to ensure that you are buying a high-quality product.
Machinery for the Proper Harvesting of Pima Material
There is no doubt that these products will continue being an essential part of our lives. At Certi-Pik, we are committed to making life easier for farmers by providing a wide range of aftermarket parts for their pickers. If you are in need of quality aftermarket replacement parts for your harvester, kindly contact us to request our products.
Many people in the cotton-harvesting industry have definite preferences when it comes to which manufacturer makes the best harvester, and both John Deere and Case IH have legions of devoted followers. There’s no doubt that both machines have some tremendous benefits, and both offer great service to anyone purchasing either type of equipment.
As to which of the two is superior, there probably is no clear answer in concrete terms, because both will get the job done efficiently and smoothly, provided that the machine is in good working order. To help decide the debate, information about both types of harvesters is provided below, as well as some information about the specific preferences of many farmers.
This may help you make up your own mind about which cotton picker is the better machine, or it may just convince you that both types are excellent, and there’s no real need to pick a winner.
Strengths of John Deere CP690
The CP690 machine is incredibly productive, and it’s onboard module building system is so efficient that it completely eliminates boll buggy drivers, module-building workers, and all of the other equipment which traditionally supports a picker.
Because it has its own onboard component building apparatus, cotton can be harvested nonstop as it’s processed by a high-volume accumulator, the component builder itself, and the component handler.
The accumulator collects the material and a formed round component gets wrapped with a protective coating, and then gets forwarded to the machine’s handler. This handler places the completed round module at the end of the row, and since all this happens while the CP690 is still harvesting, it allows the operator to stay right in the row, rather than having to unload into boll buggies or other builders.
In a setup like this, all that’s necessary is to have a single operator for the machine and a tractor operator who is responsible for staging modules for transport. This allows for a much less labor-intensive harvesting process, which will streamline your operation and save you labor costs.
You also won’t need all the traditional support equipment required when your operation uses a basket-style picker, because you won’t need a boll buggy, a boll buggy tractor, a builder, or a builder tractor. The only support equipment you need for the CP690 is a row crop tractor and a material component handler.
Another great thing about the CP690 is that it’s only necessary to fill the machine up with diesel fuel one time each day because the huge 370-gallon fuel tank carries a sufficient reserve for all daily operations.
When you’re moving between fields, the machine can be put in transport mode in less than a minute, so that it can move along roads at an impressive 27 km/h.
The CP690 provides tremendous protection for the valuable material and seeds being harvested, by wicking away moisture which can interfere with crop quality.
Each module is wrapped three times by the onboard builder, and each wrap contains two segments of low-density polyethylene film, so as to maintain the round modules in a good uniform shape, while also providing superior protection against moisture.
The CP690 is equipped with a moisture sensor that provides real-time measurements of moisture as the round module is being formed. This is critical to the harvesting operation because it helps preserve material quality, and the sensor provides highly accurate readings that can be relied upon. Since moisture is tracked so accurately, it helps the ginning process achieve greater efficiency.
The CP690 also weighs each of the round modules as they’re formed, making it much easier to provide easier yield-monitored operation. This makes it easy during ginning to simply record the weights and load them into the system, and it also allows for gins without scales to be used during the ginning process.
Apart from the mechanical operation of the harvester, the CP690 also provides the ability to record all formation information, right as it’s happening in the field.
Each time a component is unloaded from the round chamber, all relevant data is sent to a controller where the data is compiled so producers can isolate each round component based on specific production areas.
All that data can then be used to review yield performance, to show you just how productive your CP690 harvester has been in the field.
Strengths of Case IH Module Express
At the heart of the Case Module Express 625 is its module-building chamber, which includes a whole array of sensors and augurs, which process the material and compress it into a rectangular component.
The modules produced in this process are able to withstand weather conditions very well, and they also make the ginning process much easier. Because they’re sized to allow for maximum gin-feeding rates without any alterations being necessary, they streamline the whole material processing operation considerably.
Modules are produced in 16-foot lengths, so they can be loaded onto a standard truck much more easily than the traditional 32-foot module. Since there is no plastic wrap or twine involved, finished bales are never contaminated, and there’s nothing to dispose of when they’re fed into the inner.
Another big advantage of the IH cotton harvester is the monitoring system included in the cab of the machine.
The AFS Pro 700 Monitor allows you to track bales per acre along with individual component weights, so that it’s easier to plan for drop-off points in the fields where your trucks can pick up finished bales. The monitor also provides operation status as well as the percent full.
A 7-inch flat screen color LCD monitor includes dual camera views, one of which displays the rear view from behind the machine, and the other displaying all action inside the chamber.
The Case IH harvester has been designed such that it has superior balance, weight distribution, and flotation. With powerful dual-drive tires upfront for maximum flotation, it has the perfect complement with the large steering tires situated on the rear axle.
The long chassis provides superior balance, and the all-wheel-drive allows you to harvest even in the most difficult conditions. When you have to get the harvest in before a big rain hits, this is the machine you want to be using.
The collector has a 200-gallon tank which allows you to fill it up once at the beginning of the day, and then stay in the field until the harvest has been brought in. It also has a standard automatic lube system which runs for 16 minutes each hour, so that you can save time from your daily servicing.
All components are automatically lubricated by a metering system which allocates appropriate lubrication to cam tracks, drum lift arms, rollers, drum gears, and fan bearings. This is a feature that many farmers love about Case’s machine, because it actually requires less maintenance than a traditional basket-style picker.
Where are Most Farmers Siding?
For many farmers, the choice between the two brands boils down to what has been used in their family for generations. Both of these companies have been around since the early 19th century, and both have provided outstanding products ever since.
It’s also fair to say that both of these machines are considered the Cadillac of harvesters, meaning that both are fairly pricey, and are for the most part outside the budget of a small farming operation.
Both machines retain their retail value very well, so that if you find yourself in a position where you need to sell somewhere down the road, you’ll get a good price for your picker.
In terms of capabilities, both companies produce superior harvesters, and if there’s a single point of difference, it might be that a Case IH harvester carries a lower price tag than its John Deere counterpart as a rule.
However, it’s also fair to say that any farmer who can afford Case’s machine will probably also be able to afford a John Deere harvester, so price is not as big a factor as it might seem.
To actually find a difference between the two machines, you might have to look outside the capabilities of the two harvesters or the pricing scheme associated with each. Many farmers are now saying that while John Deere dealers used to provide superior support for their products, over the last two decades or so, it seems that Case IH has caught up and surpassed the boys in green.
In terms of dealer support alone, Case IH appears to be winning the battle at the present time.
Quality Aftermarket Parts, Regardless of Your Choice
The truth is, you really can’t go wrong no matter which of these two outstanding cotton harvesters you purchase. Since both provide outstanding benefits and advantages, and both companies incorporate all the latest technology into their machines, either one would be a terrific choice as a cotton collector.
It very often boils down to a preference that specific families have had over generations, and has simply become a matter of ongoing loyalty to the brand.
For someone with no vested interest in one or the other company, there are good reasons to buy either one, and you should get the same kind of quality and reliability from both machines. At Certi-Pik, USA, we provide high quality aftermarket parts for both manufacturing brands, so whichever one you prefer, we’ll be sure to have all replacement parts you need for your operation.
Contact us whenever you’re in need of superior replacement parts for either your John Deere harvester or your Case IH harvester.
The effects of this invention extended far beyond the field and into the entire world, with surprising ramifications that still affect us today.
When Was the Cotton Gin Invented?
The earliest version of the cotton gin was a single-roller mechanism that extends as far back as the fifth century in western Indian. These early gins were difficult to use and required a great deal of skill.
The single-roller gins continued to be used for centuries, eventually being replaced by a two-roller version in India and China sometime between the 12th and 14th centuries.
The new and improved two-roller mechanism was known as the “wooden-worm-worked roller,” also called churka or charkha. This two-roller version was in common use throughout the Mediterranean trade by the 16th century, sometimes using water as its source of power. The churka is still used in the subcontinent of India to this day.
The Indian roller mechanism continued to thrive and was brought to the United States in the mid-18th century. It was quickly found to work well for cleaning long-staple varieties but not short-staple varieties, both of which are still grown in the South.
The American inventor Eli Whitney is responsible for inventing the machine that would successfully process short-staple material in 1793. His process, however, damaged extra-long-staple varieties. He was granted a patent for his invention, called the saw gin, the following year.
Understanding the Challenges
Cotton could be easily grown, and its fibers could be stored for a long time, unlike food crops. So, in many ways, it was an ideal crop. The challenge came in separating the seeds from the soft fibers. This is not an easy process.
Fibers are produced in the seed pods, or “bolls”, of the plant where the fibers, otherwise known as “lint”, in the bolls are tightly interwoven with seeds. The seeds and fibers must first be separated to make the fibers usable.
Additionally, the short-staple version was more labor-intensive, as it had to be painstakingly hand-cleaned, one plant at a time. The average rate for removing seeds by hand was only about one pound per day.
The long-staple variety was easy to clean but only grew well along coastal areas, so that crop was necessarily limited in scope.
What Does It Do?
The cotton gin, the word “gin” being an abbreviation of “engine”, is a machine that is used to pull fibers from their seeds.
Those fibers can then be processed into various goods, while any undamaged material is used mostly for textiles like clothing.
Whitney’s machine worked like a sieve or strainer. The material was run through a wooden drum, which was embedded with a series of hooks. These hooks caught the fibers and dragged them through a mesh.
The mesh was too fine to let the seeds through, but the hooks pulled the fibers through easily. Smaller gins were cranked by hand. Larger ones were powered by a horse and, later, by a steam engine. Whitney’s hand-cranked machine could remove the seeds from 50 pounds of material in a single day.
The separated seeds can then be used to grow more or to produce cottonseed oil.
Growing a crop was very labor-intensive by itself. Separating the fiber from the cottonseed was even more difficult and time-consuming prior to the invention of the machine.
Continued Improvements
Further improvements and modifications were made to the mechanism over the years.
Fones McCarthy was granted a patent in 1840 for a roller version that was particularly effective at processing long-staple varieties. His mechanism was called a Smooth Cylinder Cotton-gin.
Additional improvements and features included:
Steam power replaced animal power
An automatic feeder was introduced
A condenser was added to facilitate handling of the extruded clean material
Indoor presses consolidated all processes into one place.
Finally, with what has become known as The Munger System Ginning Outfit, or system gin, all the ginning operation machinery was able to be fully integrated. This system ensured that the material would flow through the machines easily while using air to move material from mechanism to mechanism. This resulted in decreased production costs, increased efficiency, and higher quality fiber.
By the 1960s, many other advances had been made in ginning machinery, but the way in which cottonseed flowed through the machinery continued to be based on the Munger system.
Modern automated gins use multiple powered cleaning cylinders and saws and offer far higher productivity than their hand-powered precursors.
When Did it Become Widely Used?
Due to the radically reduced time it now took to separate the seeds from the fiber, Southern planters could increase their crops. As a result, by the mid-19th century, cotton had become America’s leading export.
In fact, it has been estimated that the United States supplied three-quarters of the global supply by 1861. It was now a tremendously profitable crop and made the American South the first global agricultural powerhouse.
How Did it Revolutionize the World?
It naturally followed that due to the far greater efficiency of the new design more crops could be grown, which meant more workers were needed. It is argued that Southern planters used this as justification to expand the practice of slavery. Certainly, more workers were needed, and plantation owners wanted cheap labor.
Slavery
There is an ongoing debate about the direct effect the mechanism had on slavery. Some of the early Founders believed that slavery would fade away in this country due to social reasons, the end of slave importation by 1808, and the unprofitability of slave-produced crops prior to the invention of Whitney’s machine.
Regardless, it cannot be denied that slavery was a key component of the industry. The material still needed to be picked by hand. This meant that many more workers were needed due to the new and hugely expanded ability to process as much material as could be grown and harvested.
The number of slaves rose proportionately along with the increase in production. There were approximately 700,000 slaves in 1790 and about 3.2 million in 1850. By 1860, black slave labor from the American South provided two-thirds of the world’s supply and up to 80% of the critical British market.
And it had a domino effect. The South continued to develop and depend on its economy from plantation-based agriculture, which encouraged the growth of the textile industry in the North and throughout the world.
In addition, the huge increase in the supply of materials created a strong demand for textile machinery and improved machine designs. Metal parts replaced wooden ones, which led to the invention of machine tools in the early 19th century.
Mass Production
Eli Whitney was able to secure a contract in 1798 from the U.S. government to produce 10,000 muskets in two years. At the time, guns were still being crafted individually, so this was a huge leap.
Whitney promoted the idea of interchangeable parts, a novel idea at the time. He proposed manufacturing and using standardized or identical parts that could be assembled faster. This process would also make it easier to repair machines.
In this way, Whitney was instrumental in developing the American system of mass-production. And we know that mass production was one of the factors that helped usher in the age of the Industrial Revolution.
All this came from a better way to harvest material.
The Evolution
The development of the “gin” or harvester has come a long way.
Certi-Pik, USA has been providing the highest quality cotton harvester parts for today’s harvesters since 1988.
We offer a wide range of replacement parts to cover all your needs. We provide American and international customers with outstanding harvester parts for use with equipment manufactured by the industry’s leading makers of harvesters.
We also sell many specialty items and sheet metal parts to use in rebuilding your harvesting equipment.
As a member of the Better Business Bureau and with nearly a quarter of a century experience, you can be confident in buying from us. Call us at 712-752-8460 or visit us online to shop for your quality replacement parts.
