John Deere is known as one of the most famous tractor companies who set the standard for farm equipment, both in terms of how the job gets done and quality of available machinery. They are most commonly known for providing industrial farm equipment, in addition to meeting a homeowner’s residential needs. The John Deere Cotton Picker model 7760 meets all the standards the company is known for. It’s a heavy piece of equipment designed specifically for the rigors of cotton farming.
There are a few common questions people ask, and rightfully so, to determine whether the machine is going to serve the needs of their farm:
How Much HP Does the Engine Have on the CP 7760?
The CP 7760 provides 560 horsepower with a 13.5-liter turbocharged engine. This amount of power is distributed through a four-speed transmission with either two-wheel or four-wheel drive configurations. Such a configuration has proven itself to be more than adequate for cotton farming use in most regular situations, and there are means of upgrading for extraordinary conditions.
What is the Capacity of the CP 7760’s Basket?
The basket is sized for production-based cotton farming and can handle around 2.8 tons of cotton. There are intermediate and full-sized baskets available, and extensions if needed to increase the volume of cotton the machine can transport. This is one of the most modern machines available and was designed with the needs of large-scale commercial farmers in mind while remaining dexterous and agile enough to remain useful on smaller farms which need maximum efficiency from their equipment.
What is the Maximum Module Weight of the CP 7760?
The average weight of a round module of cotton rolled off the harvester is 2.8 tons or 5600 lbs. The John Deere CP 7760 is overbuilt to easily handle the standard module weights or go over when needed. The machine actually has different modes in which it conducts the harvest, transport the crop, gate, and cradle the harvest, and finally wrap the load. The mode is set by the operator as they need to conduct each of the steps throughout the day.
How Many Round Modules Can the CP 7760 Wrap?
The unit is designed to pick and have enough wrap to wrap 120 round modules of cotton before re-stocking the magazine. Each module can be up to 90 inches in diameter by 96 inches wide which is about one fourth smaller in weight than a conventional module which measures 7.5 feet wide, 32 feet long, and around 11 feet high, but can be more desirable as it can maintain about half as much moisture, and can be much more cost effective to get to the gin.
How Many Row Units Does the CP 7760 Have?
The John Deere 7760 is designed to work with 6 rows of cotton. There are adjustments to account for different spacing between rows which can be from as little as 15 inches apart or up to 40 inches. Each row unit uses a 560-spindle system to pick the material while being constantly cleaned by the onboard moistener system.
What Pro Units are available for Usage on the Cotton Picker 7760?
The 7760 is compatible with either the PRO-16 or the PRO-12 VariRow System Picking Units. The final decision depends on the geographic location and therefore the breed of cotton intended to be grown and harvested. It’s always important to keep an open mind when purchasing new farm equipment, as technology has changed and what one person grew up with may not always be the best part for today’s equipment, so definitely discuss the situation with a dealer before determining which option to go with.
How Large is the Fuel Tank on the CP 7760?
The fuel tank holds 350 U.S. Gallons, or 1325 liters. The sheer amount of diesel it holds is relevant to mpg, which isn’t really a factor with this type of machine. To put it in usable terms, it’s consistent with what farmers expect based on other equipment and even similar pickers built by the competition. It’s impossible to predict local terrain conditions or how much fuel individual operators are going to use, other than you can plan on the fuel lasting as long or longer than you might expect based on experience with other machinery which conducts cotton harvesting.
How Large is the Water Tank for the Moistener System on the CP 7760?
The water tank for the moistener system holds 360 U.S. Gallons. Traditionally the tank used oil-based cleaner for the picker’s spindles, the modern standard has moved towards using a specifically designated soap with water. The 360-gallon tank is typically enough for a day’s worth of operation. The moistener system keep the machine running through the day, but just like other equipment used when harvesting cotton, the spindles are going to require a full cleaning each evening after the work is finished. A fully self-cleaning picker has yet to be invented, the fact is cotton harvesting equipment requires lots of lubrication and so can be messy to operate, so there’s no simple way around having to clean equipment after use.
Contact Us at Certi-Pik, USA, for Quality Replacement Parts for You Cotton Harvesting Equipment
At Certi-Pik, we specialize in selling aftermarket parts for farm equipment, cotton harvester parts to be specific. You’ll find our representatives to be knowledgeable and experienced, prepared to meet your needs. If you already know what part you need, we’re here to get it ordered and shipped to you, if you aren’t sure, we can discuss your equipment’s failure and symptoms to help determine what the problem might be.
We’re available via direct phone call or through email at our website, whichever method you prefer. We understand how downtime affects both small and commercial farmers, especially during the planting and harvesting seasons, and therefore make it a point to provide service as quickly as possible on all orders. If your equipment is having trouble, we’ll do everything possible to get you back up and running, so you can continue to do the valuable job you provide to our country.
John Deere Cotton Picker 9996 Frequently Asked Questions
The John Deere Cotton Picker 9996 is a popular, efficient agricultural machine. The 9996 is a durable, powerful machine with a thoughtfully designed build that places the engine in a position to provide more traction to the wheels and more horsepower to move those wheels up hills.
How Much HP does the Engine Have?
The 8.1-liter engine creates 350 horsepower. Its engine is a PowerTech diesel and comes equipped with an electric governor designed to provide consistent power in conditions such as rain and traversing hilly sections. The 350-horsepower provided makes this machine incredibly powerful and able to keep moving forward. There is also an optional powered rear axle available to help in areas that require more power to get over hills and extremely muddy terrain.
How is the Dual Hydrostatic Drive Set Up?
The 9996 comes equipped with a dual hydrostatic drive. It has an inner pump to drive the transmission and an external pump for the row units. The hydraulic reservoir is located in the pump housing and feeds the entire system.
What is the Capacity of the Basket?
With 1,400 cubic feet capacity, the PRO-LIFT basket has a low center of gravity to give a solid, stable base. The John Deere 9996 comes complete with a monitoring system to manage loads and a fan that improves the conveying and distribution efficiency within the basket.
What is the Row-Trak™ Controller?
The John Deere 9996 offers the Row-Trak controller system. It monitors the rows and keeps the machine running in a straight line. With this feature, the operator can maximize the harvest speed, and the 9996 will adjust steering as needed. With the Row-Trak engaged, it’s good to know the cab is comfortable. It features a standard heater and air conditioner and an optional air suspension seat, and a pre-wired radio setup.
What Size are the Picking Rows?
The Pro-Series row units offer multiple front bar options. The Pro-12 has a 12-bar front and a 12-bar rear. The Pro-16 has a 16-bar front and a 12-bar rear. The Pro-16 enhances the efficiency of picking taller, high-yield cotton plants. The Pro-12 VRS gives the operator the option of choosing between 15 to 40-inch rows. Fields with narrow rows and those with conventional row fields will benefit from the range offered.
How Large is the Fuel Tank?
Having to stop for fuel while in the middle of the field is a time-consuming setback that can slow down a productive day. The John Deere 9996 has a tank that can hold up to 200 gallons. That should be enough to keep the operator in the field longer, without having to stop for refills as often. Time spent harvesting instead of refueling is time well spent.
How Large is the Water Tank?
A 345-gallon tank will hold enough water to keep the harvest going without having to refill as often, leading to more efficient harvests.
What Tires are Available?
Dual drive tires are equipped to provide improved floatation and reduce ground compacting effects. There are cleat tires available to order as well.
High-Quality Aftermarket Parts
The John Deere CP9996 is an extremely versatile and durable picking machine, but you will eventually need to replace certain components in order to maintain the unit’s performance and reliability. Whenever you require John Deere replacement parts, contact us at Certi-Pik, USA to place an order for our aftermarket parts, or to speak with a member of staff to identify the part your cotton picker needs.
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.
There are five main varieties of cotton that are commercially grown. For comparison, just in the United States, there are about 2,500 varieties of apples. Cotton fibers may be similar, but each variety has its own properties. Egyptian material is very soft, while Asiatic material is coarse, used for blankets and other types of cloth. The most common type is Upland, which is used for a variety of products, even seed oil. Although the bolls of Upland material may be good for general use, the best cottons for fabrics are varieties that produce an extra-long staple. Here’s a primer on the difference between the two varieties.
What is Pima Cotton?
Pima cotton originated in Peru, but it is really an American marvel. Originally, it was grown in South Carolina. Producers cross-pollinated cottons to obtain an extra-long staple material. It was the Arizona Pima tribe that worked with the Department of Agriculture to bring innovations to the crop and make it the superior material that it is today. In the mid-20th century, there were many advances in quality to make it a premier variety today. It is mostly grown in Texas, California, Arizona, and New Mexico.
This variety is an extra-long fiber that measures 1.4 to 2-inches in length. Most fibers are around one inch long or less. It needs to be harvested by hand to protect the fibers. Pima produces a smoother fabric that is durable and soft. Careful harvesting maintains the true color of the material, so it takes to dyes very well. It makes one of the most luxurious fabrics in the world, but there are many fakes. The material can be scientifically verified and labeled to ensure the quality difference. It is hypoallergenic, too. It’s a great fabric for people with sensitive skin.
What is Egyptian Cotton?
Egyptian material is considered one of the finest fibers in the world. At one time, the name referred to where it was grown. Today, the material is still grown in Egypt, but it is also grown in Peru, India and the United States. One of the key differences with this material is that it is hand-picked. This puts less stress on the fibers. The fibers can be produced into very fine yarns that are softer than regular material because the fibers remain straight after picking. It is a very flexible and durable fabric that makes luxurious bed sheets.
One thing to note is that this is a variety that can be grown anywhere it’s hot and dry. Some manufacturers label any type grown in Egypt as Egyptian, even though it may not be as soft and durable as true extra-long-staple. You can’t just look at the country in which the material was grown to get authentic material designed for quality. You have to look carefully at the type of material that was woven into the fibers.
How are These Different?
Both types share many similarities that make for a luxurious fabric. The main difference between the two is that the former is grown primarily in the United States, while Egyptian is grown in a hot, dry climate like the Nile River Valley. Both varieties are known as “extra-long staple cottons,” that produce a high-quality fabric. Either will make a wonderful set of sheets, provided that the material is correctly labeled. As with other options, there are many fake types of Egyptian material, largely due to the fact that any material grown in Egypt can technically be labeled as “Egyptian material.”
Which is Softer?
Pima sheets are often considered the most luxurious in the world, provided that the label is 100% authentic. Because it is not necessarily superior quality, you may want to steer clear of sheets labeled as Egyptian unless it too has a scientific verification label. Pima sheets, even with lower thread counts, such as 200 to 300 are very soft and will last a long time because the fibers are longer and more durable.
Pima Cotton Is Eco-Friendly and Widely Sought After
Pima is usually sought after for bedding materials, but more fashion designers are using it in clothing because it is soft, durable and flexible. The former material drapes well and lends itself to a multitude of uses in the fashion industry. It’s also lightweight, yet still warm and it takes color well.
Organic material limits its environmental impact by being grown without fertilizers or pesticides. The crop is extremely sustainable when it’s consciously grown to reduce its impact on the environment.
If you’re looking for replacement parts for your harvester, contact Certi-Pik, USA for a large selection of specialty items and fabricated parts designed to get you back in the field instead of waiting for repairs.
The United States is the world’s leading cotton exporter. In 2017, over 20 million bales were produced in the United States accounting for over $7 billion to the economy. China and India together produce about 50% of the world’s fiber, but much of the material stays in their countries for manufacturing. The industry in the United States generates about 250,000 jobs and accounts for over $25 billion in the economy annually. It’s not only farming cotton but the textile industry as a whole.
When is Cotton Harvested?
Generally, it is planted between March and June each year. The farther south you go, the earlier the planting season. The main thing is to wait until the danger of frost has passed. In Texas, harvesting can occur as early as June, but most is harvested from August through October. It generally takes 150 to 200 days for the bolls to mature after planting.
Where is Cotton Grown in the United States?
The plant requires a tropical or subtropical climate. The plants don’t do well in places that are extremely wet or very dry. Soil temperature must reach at least 60 F or higher for the seeds to germinate. In the United States, the southern region grows the most. California, New Mexico, Arizona, Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Georgia are the primary suppliers to the market, followed by Arkansas, North & South Carolina, Florida, Kansas, Kentucky, Missouri, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and Virginia.
Since the mid-20th century, production has become more competitive, with technology and education improving how farmers do business and export. Many organizations support over 18,000 farms across the United States through lobbying and purchasing power to ensure farmers get the best prices from their crops. Pickers and harvesters have made production more lucrative by reducing labor costs.
Which State Produces the Most Cotton?
The National Cotton Council and USDA report that 12.19 million acres of land in the United States are dedicated to plantings in 2020. Upland area accounts for 11.99 million acres, while Pima or extra-long-staple producers planted 195,000 acres. Although these figures are less than the 2019 figure, the United States is still a major player in the industry.
Texas produces about 42% of the material in the United States, followed by Georgia, which produced about 18%. The southeastern belt produces the Upland variety, a generic variety that is used to make denim, flannel fibers, or other clothes, but the entire plant is used. The linters or the short fuzz of the seed is used in making plastics. Cotton-seed oil is made from the seeds. The hulls and meal that are leftover after processing the oil is made into fertilizer or animal feed. The stalks of the plant can be plowed into the soil to enrich it.
The material is Texas’ main cash crop because eight different regions in the state have suitable growing conditions. It’s estimated that there are over 9,000 square miles of fields in Texas. In Mississippi, over one million acres are dedicated to farming. The state has practically eradicated boll weevils. Georgia’s leading crop is the same because its soil conditions are suitable to the crop. It does get high rainfall, but the soil doesn’t hold the water. This is an ideal condition to grow.
The southwestern regions that produce it, California, New Mexico, and Arizona, produce a type known as Pima, or extra-long staple. Pima is finer and more expensive. It must be harvested by hand to protect the fibers, which are a one-half inch longer or more than Upland fibers. Pima is known for producing luxurious bedding, but many fashion designers are incorporating Pima into their clothing designs because it is such a strong fiber while still being soft and flexible.
Although Texas is America’s largest producer, it comes nowhere close to the amount produced in China and India. From 2010 to 2012, Texas produced an average of 5.5 million bales. Over the same time frame, China produced 33 million bales and India produced 26.8 million bales. About 35% of the material produced in the United States stays in the country to be used by domestic textile mills and factories.
How Much Does a Single Bale Weigh?
A single bale weighs 500 pounds. From that bale, you can make:
215 pairs of jeans, or
690 terry bath towels, or
1,256 pillowcases, or
6,436 pairs of underwear, or
313,600 $100 bills, or
680,000 cotton balls
Material is stored in a module that holds 13 to 15 bales. This module protects it against the weather until the material can be ginned.
We Stock Cotton Picker Parts
Harvesting equipment is vital to farmers who produce this important crop. We stock a large selection of high-quality replacement parts for pickers. Contact us for more information.
