It is always less expensive to replace cotton picker parts than the entire harvester. That is why it is important to pay attention and know when parts are starting to show shortcomings. Start by being aware of these five signs that it may be time to order new parts and increase the efficiency of your harvest:
Noticeable wear: Worn spindles, moistener pads, bearings and cam tracks are normally pretty noticeable. That is why it is advised that you inspect pre- and post-harvest. If you see fraying or obvious damage, this is the first sign that it’s time to buy new parts. Running your picker on excessively worn parts shortens its useful life, so it is best to act as soon as you notice damage.
No improvement after adjustment: Some parts, like spindles, moistener pads and doffers reduce their functioning when they need adjustment. Most of the time, making these minor repairs improves functioning and harvest quality. However, if you notice there are still shortcomings even after you complete the adjustments, it is likely the parts are no longer serviceable. You may also discover during adjustment that wear and tear makes it impossible to achieve the needed alignments, like the one between spindle and moistener pad. This is also a sign that your issue goes beyond adjustment and enters the realm of needing new cotton picker parts.
Frequent fires: If all the cleaning and adjustments you perform still lead to smoldering within your harvester, it is likely that spindles and other parts are no longer working at peak efficiency. When parts start to fail, oils and seeds will build up and provide fuel for fires—especially if the debris winds up near fuel lines or engines. Sometimes the only way to prevent this in the future is to replace the malfunctioning part. Otherwise you risk a full-field fire and worse losses.
Poor tracking: When there is still cotton left in the field, that often shows a row tracking problem with the picker. Like many other issues, this often requires a minor adjustment and harvest efficiency improves. However, if poor doffing, hard locks and crop losses continue, it is time to see which part is failing and find its replacement before you miss out on the full potential of your harvest.
Previous poor maintenance: If you acquired a cotton harvester on the used market and find shortcomings in its maintenance as you use it, it is likely that part failure is soon to follow. In these cases, it is usually prudent to replace parts as you can afford them, since harvesters are very dependent on frequent maintenance. If a previous owner was unwilling to clean and lubricate the harvester, it is likely that there were no part replacements either. Acting before they fail is your best course of action, as it will help preserve your harvester in the long run.
If your harvester requires new parts or a rebuild, contact Certi-Pik, USA for a catalog. We fabricate parts for many models of picking units and would be glad to help you achieve a more productive harvest.
Every good cotton grower knows that even when the last acre of cotton is harvested and baled up, the work isn’t done—the harvester and baler will need to be properly tended to and maintained before they can be put away for the season. Now, this isn’t nearly as simple as driving it into an agriculture building and hosing it off—it takes a clear-cut approach to cleaning all of the picker and baler parts thoroughly, so they’re ready to function properly for next year’s harvest.
Take a look at a few of the most effective methods of cleaning individual picker and baler parts, to make sure you’re giving the vital components of these machines a reprieve from the wear and tear of being put away dirty:
General cleaning: Before you get down and dirty in cleaning the smaller, more refined components of a harvester or baler, you’ll want to give it a more general onceover—to dislodge and remove any larger particulates or loose cotton residuals. The best way to do this is was compressed air—use a heavy duty blower to blast debris from your machine from the top down and be sure to get into all of the nooks and crannies where debris might be hiding. Don’t forget cloves, a face mask, goggles and a hat!
Row units and moisture columns: There’s no easy way around this area of your picker—you’ll have to handpick debris out in lumps! Because debris accumulated here is often wet or has been wet and now has dried in place, compressed air isn’t always going to be powerful enough to remove it. Pick through with your hands first to remove most of the debris, then try and blast out any leftovers with your air compressor afterwards. This will likely be the most time-intensive single aspect of cleaning individual cotton picker parts.
Header: This section is going to be a bit more manual-intensive than most, but it goes by quickly enough. You’ll need to detach the covers from stripping units to reveal any large debris trapped within them—go ahead and pull these out manually. Then, blast everything clean with compressed air and you should be good to go! Reattach everything and make sure it’s secure.
Engine compartment: Having buildups in your engine compartment for extended periods of time is a recipe for disaster! Make sure all access panels are open, dig out any larger debris you can find and then blast everything thoroughly with compressed air. When you’re done, shut everything up tight.
Now, for the most part, blasting your cotton harvester or baler with compressed air will get the job done while you pick out larger debris with your hands. When all is said and done—if you’re done for the season—it’s also a good idea to give your equipment a good wipe-down. Use commercial agricultural machine cleaner for the façade of the equipment, taking care to gently address areas that are of a delicate nature.
When you’re done, make sure everything is in top working order before stowing your equipment—that way, you’ll be ready for next year!
Cotton has long been one of the staple commodities of the United States and it could be argued that our burgeoning commerce today is a product of the prolific cotton industry from centuries past. Cotton has breathed life into numerous facets of industry and driven innovation in a way that’s matched only by natural resources in historical impact. Today, it’s easy to forget that the many machines and techniques we use for harvesting cotton were once just prospects, driven to fruition by the sheer demand of the cotton trade.
History of Cotton Picker Machines
Take a look at a brief history of cotton picking technologies and all of the effort it took to bring this industry to the high level of cotton harvester parts and components we utilize today:
When Did Cotton Picking End?
Prior to the 1930s, cotton harvesting was done entirely by picking cotton by hand end—it wasn’t until a man named John Rust came up with a “harvesting locomotive” in the late 1930s that any semblance of harvesting innovation became a reality. Unfortunately, Rust’s prototype was expensive, unreliable and prone to breaking down, which kept it from any real commercial exposure. Only a few models were produced and those quickly faded into obscurity as a pipe dream… until the mid 1940s!
When Was the Cotton Picker Invented?
Starting in the early 1940s, improvements were made to Rust’s ideas and a comprehensive redesign of the harvesting locomotive was undertaken. The product was a new and improved harvester—the first to feature cotton picker spindles and what would one day become doffers. But, while this invention did work to reduce labor dramatically, it also slightly degraded the cotton and soon, the need for more improvement came to light.
Emerging Ideas for Cotton Harvesting
In the 1950s, the cotton harvester entered a phase that’s closer to what we see now than what we saw at the start. With a reinforced steel frame and multiple rows of cotton picker spindles, the harvester also featured a basket to catch and store cotton! In just ten short years, an operator’s cabin would be added to the design and material reinforcements would become a focus of improving the harvester.
Fast forward to 1980 and along comes John Deere: this is where tremendous improvements became to take form and cotton harvesters would quickly become the focus of mass production. Deere’s new and improved models featured a comprehensive overhaul of key cotton harvester parts, with an emphasis on quality, with the result being an increase in picking production by 85-95 percent! Thus, the four-row picker was born.
The New Age of Cotton Pickers
Today, John Deere remains an innovator in the world of cotton harvesting. With the six-row picker introduced in the mid 1990s and later, in 2009, the capability to bail cotton as it’s being picked, manual labor has been almost entirely eliminated from the harvesting of cotton. With state of the art parts and components, today’s cotton harvesters are the pinnacle of innovation, driven so far from modest beginnings just a century ago.
What’s next in the world of cotton harvester parts? It’s hard to tell, but it’s a safe bet to say that whatever the next innovation is, it’ll be one that makes harvesting cotton even easier on the hardworking farmers who continue to abide by this longstanding commodity.
If you’ve ever had to replace your valuable cotton picker parts because of fire damage, then you know how much of a hassle—and how much of an expense—it can be. If you haven’t experienced it yet, take our word for it: it’s better to learn about by reading rather than by experiencing.
As a business that fabricates and sells cotton picker parts, we’ve seen firsthand the damage a fire can wreak on cotton pickers and other cotton equipment. We know most folks would do anything to avoid this disaster, which is why we put together this small guide to avoiding fire on your cotton farm. Read on to learn some helpful information.
The danger of fire
As most cotton farmers know, the conditions of a cotton farm make for a particularly hospitable environment for fire to spark and grow in. These conditions include dry and windy climates, an abundance of scrap metal or brick and large amounts of lint and trash.
The risk of fire grows even greater when those working on a cotton farm grow neglectful. For example, poorly maintained equipment, picker row unit malfunctions and careless cotton picker operators can all contribute to the risk of a fire.
Fire prevention tips
Fortunately, there are several things you can do to help prevent and contain fires on your cotton farm. Here are some of the most effective prevention tactics.
Be aware of weather: Unfortunately, those picturesque and ideal days to be outside picking cotton are also the ones that encourage cotton farm fires. When you notice a clear blue sky, a dry heat and a soft wind, be extra cautious when operating equipment. You should also check the fire hazard level in your area each morning.
Be prepared with water:This is a no-brainer, but many cotton farmers tend to slack off when it comes to having a full water trailer and pump on hand at all times. Doing this everyday might be a hassle, but there will likely come a day when it will all be worth it.
Have equipment routinely serviced:Old, rusty and worn cotton picking equipment can all contribute to the start and growth of a cotton farm fire. Hiring a service for regular maintenance is one of the best ways not only to prevent a fire, but also to ensure you’re getting the most out of your equipment.
Remove trash:Large amounts of trash and lint can build up quickly on a cotton farm. They also serve as the perfect fuel for a growing cotton farm fire. Dispose of your lint and trash piles early and often to prevent and contain fire on your cotton farm.
Find parts easily
If you notice some of your cotton picker parts are worn beyond repair, having them replaced quickly is best for fire safety. For affordable prices and quality service, visit or call Certi-Pik, USA any time. We look forward to helping you find the best parts for your cotton farm equipment.
