The development of the mechanical cotton picker goes back to the early 1930s, and its proliferation and improvement in the decades that followed made for significantly easier harvesting of cotton. No longer would farmers have to rely on laborers to go out and work the fields all day picking cotton off the bolls—instead, they could invest in a cotton picker that would get the job done in a fraction of the time while also saving a significant amount of money in labor costs in the long run. This increased production and harvesting capability at lower costs had a massive effect on the cotton industry, and as such, on the textile industries as well.
But how does a mechanical cotton picker work? Let’s take a closer look.
Two Main Types of Cotton Picker Machines
In the old days, the earliest cotton pickers only were able to harvest a single row of cotton at a time. Even with this relative inefficiency, however, they still would replace up to 40 hand laborers in the field, saving a whole lot of time and money.
Today’s cotton pickers have obviously evolved quite a bit since those days. These self-propelled machines are capable of removing cotton lint and seed from plants at a rate of up to six rows at a time.
There are two main types of pickers used most commonly on cotton farms today: the “stripper” picker (primarily found in Texas and Arkansas) and the “spindle” picker.
The cotton stripper removes the lint from the plant, as well as a fair amount of plant matter, including bolls that have not yet opened up. The plant matter gets separated from the lint later on in the process, as heavier matter gets separated from the lint before the lint gets moved to its end point in the basket at the back of the picker.
Spindle pickers use rows of barbed spindles, similar to those that had been used to less efficient effect in the early days of mechanical cotton pickers. These spindles rotate very quickly and pluck the seed-cotton off the plant. That seed-cotton then gets taken off the spindles with the use of a counter-rotating doffer, and blown upward into the basket that collects the cotton.
After the basket in either type of picker is full, the picker then dumps that seed-cotton into an area known as a module builder, which compacts the cotton into a brick-like form. These cotton “bricks” can weigh up to 21,000 lbs each and are then stored either in the gin yard or the field until it can be run through a cotton gin. The ginned bales then weigh about 480 lbs.
This is a very basic overview of how a cotton picker works, but it should give you an idea of the efficiency inventors have developed in these machines over the course of the last eight decades. For more information about the type of cotton picker that might be the best solution for your needs, contact the experts at Certi-Pik, USA. We’re your premier source for replacement cotton picker parts for John Deere and Case IH equipment!
You rely on your cotton picker to reliably deliver the performance and efficiency that you need to maintain a high level of production. Unfortunately, cotton picker parts and components will eventually begin to wear out or become damaged, and you will need to have them replaced. The problem is that it isn’t always easy to determine whether it’s time to invest in replacement parts. By looking out for a few key signs that replacement is necessary, you can ensure that your cotton picker continues to operate effectively:
Decreasing performance: If you notice that your cotton picker isn’t as effective at removing cotton fibers from the plants during harvest as it once was, it’s a sign that there’s something wrong with your cotton picker parts. Try adjusting some parts to see if that helps improve your cotton picker’s performance. If not, you should have any broken or damaged cotton picker parts replaced so that your picker will be able to operate the way it should.
Visible wear and tear: It’s a good idea to inspect your cotton picker parts closely on a regular basis so that you can check for signs of visible wear and tear. Your cotton picker parts are designed to be durable, and they are put through a lot during use, but you shouldn’t see major signs of wear, tear and damage in your parts. If you do, it’s a sign that you should have those components replaced.
Insufficient maintenance history: Regular maintenance is essential if you want to keep your cotton picker in good working condition. If you haven’t kept up on maintenance for your equipment or you aren’t sure about the maintenance history of your machinery, you might need to get replacement parts sooner than you would if your cotton picker was well taken care of. You should reach out to a professional who specializes in cotton picker repair to inspect your machine and help you determine what maintenance is necessary to get your equipment back into the best shape possible.
Common mechanical issues: The occasional mechanical failure is virtually inevitable when you’re working with heavy duty equipment, but you shouldn’t be running into major issues on a regular basis. If you notice frequent smoldering in your cotton picker, it’s a sign that your parts are failing. As you use your cotton picker, your mechanical components will begin to accumulate debris and residual oil that can fuel fires and take a toll on your machinery’s efficiency and performance. In many cases, the best way to solve these problems is to invest in replacement parts.
Call us for quality cotton picker parts
If you need replacement cotton picker parts, contact Certi-Pik, USA. We have an inventory of quality replacement parts that are designed to deliver the best efficiency and performance possible. Our team has specialized in providing replacement parts since 1988, and we continue to deliver the best products available to our customers. We understand that every customer has different needs, and we are here to ensure that you receive the specific parts that are right for you. Give us a call today to find out more about our inventory and to place an order.
Cotton has been one of the most important crops grown in the United States for hundreds of years. The fibers of this plant can be made into an incredible array of quality textiles used in clothing, furniture, linens and a wide array of other consumer products. However, before cotton can be processed into the many products that we find in our homes and on the shelves of retail stores, it must be harvested.
Harvesting cotton can be a complicated process, which means that it’s necessary to use high quality equipment and machinery. Two of the primary types of cotton harvesting machinery are cotton strippers and cotton picker spindles, both of which offer specific features and advantages.
The basics of cotton strippers and cotton picker spindles
While cotton strippers and cotton picker spindles are both designed to effectively harvest cotton, they operate differently and have different capabilities. Cotton strippers, just like their name suggests, are designed to strip cotton from the plant. Cotton strippers pull the entire cotton boll from the plant, regardless of whether the cotton is ripe or not, and even cut off a portion of the plant stem. After being harvested, the cotton is run through a machine that separates the cotton fiber and the plant matter.
Cotton pickers and cotton picker spindles are designed for more selective and less invasive harvesting. The spindles pick ripe cotton and leave behind the bulk of the plant matter, including unripe bolls. On farms that use cotton pickers, harvesting is usually done multiple times in a single season to give all of the cotton a chance to grow and maximize the yield of the cotton plants.
Which one is better?
You’re probably wondering whether it’s better for you to invest in cotton strippers or cotton picker spindles, but the answer really depends on your specific needs and preferences. No piece of equipment is perfect, and each has certain advantages and disadvantages to take into account. Generally, cotton strippers are better if you need to harvest as much cotton as possible in a single pass. This method is ideal if weather conditions or time constraints make multiple harvests unfeasible.
Cotton picker spindles, on the other hand, will selectively harvest ripe cotton and leave unripe plants to continue growing. This is a gentler method that’s best if you can harvest multiple times over the course of a season. At the end of the day, it’s up to your own judgment to determine which choice is best for you.
Learn more about cotton harvesting equipment and machinery
Regardless of what kind of harvesting equipment you prefer, you can find the parts you need at Certi-Pik, USA. Since 1988, we have proudly provided high quality parts for cotton harvesting. We understand how important it is for you to maintain the performance and efficiency of your machinery, which is why we are proud to offer an extensive selection of parts so that you can keep your equipment running the way it should for years to come. Browse our website or give us a call to find out more about what we have to offer.
Regular inspections and maintenance of your cotton pickers and their parts will help them to last longer and put off the need to purchase any replacement parts. Of course, normal wear and tear is going to happen, and heavy machinery simply isn’t designed to last forever. But there are some simple steps you can take to prevent unnecessary damage or wear to your machinery and avoid having to spend a lot of money on repairs and part replacements.
Here are a few tips to keep in mind:
Regularly review your manual: Whenever you purchase a harvester, the very first thing you should do is read the manual, long before you think about starting it up. Even if you’ve had your current model for some time, you should still routinely take the time to re-familiarize yourself with your model, including some tips for cleaning, maintenance, inspections and troubleshooting. You don’t need to have any significant engineering or mechanical experience to have a basic understanding of how your machinery works and what you need to do to keep it in good working order.
Make inspections part of your routine: It’s easier to remember to perform some inspections into the condition and safety of your cotton picker parts if it’s part of your routine. Make it a monthly, quarterly or seasonal routine. You should always perform an inspection before the first time you use your cotton picker in a given year, but beyond that it’s a good idea to make some regular inspections during the harvest season just to make sure it’s operating smoothly and efficiently.
Learn how to make some basic adjustments: You’re going to have some issues with parts in your harvester coming misaligned over time, which will have a negative effect on your productivity when using the machine. If you’re able to adjust some of your equipment yourself, you’ll be able to boost your productivity and reduce downtime. Again, you don’t have to be an experienced technician or repair person to make this happen. There are some simple adjustments you can learn to make yourself, many of which you’ll find in your manual. Just make sure you know what the default settings are. If you find yourself having to make adjustments too frequently, then you might need to have a professional analyze your picker.
Keep an eye on the center rows: Crooked rows will also have a negative effect on your picking and tracking. You will frequently waste cotton and even miss some crops when you have crooked rows, which will result in a loss of money. Therefore, make sure you test out the center rows on occasion to make sure they’re working as they should so you don’t have to worry about losing money due to accidentally flattened crops caused by crooked center rows.
These are just a few considerations to keep in mind when inspecting your cotton picker. For more information or to order cotton picker parts, contact the experts at Certi-Pik, USA today.
Cotton producers are constantly looking for new ways to keep their current yields steady while cutting down on expenses. One of the best means of accomplishing this is through skip row production.
There has been a lot of research into the effectiveness of skip row farming over the years for various types of crops. Cotton has been put through some skip row studies ever since the late 1950s, with one particularly noteworthy study published in Georgia in 1967 indicating just how well cotton can respond to skip row processes.
From 1959 through 1964, 2×2 skip row cotton provided higher yields versus solid-planted cotton on a planted-row acre basis (as opposed to an area acreage basis). The research indicated cotton bolls were larger and had longer fibers when grown in the skip row format. However, the micronaire and strength were not affected compared to conventional configurations.
Studies continue to this day
Researchers continue to study the effectiveness of various farming methods for cotton, including the skip row farming system. Some research has shown that the benefits of skip row cotton can include reduced stress during times of rain deficits because of increased moisture, as well as a greater yield on a planted-row acre basis, better fiber quality and increased light interception and airflow.
While some studies have indicated skip row farming can reduce input costs, it should be noted that this might not come without sacrificing the yield of the crop on a land-acre basis. Some studies performed by Australian researchers show yields of 18 percent higher for solid-row patterns than cotton planted in 2×2 or 2×2 skip row patterns on a land-acre basis.
More recent studies have also been performed in the United States and focused primarily on yield. A 2005 study in Texas analyzed the seeding rates in both 2×1 skip row and solid planting in cotton harvested by strippers. When moisture was limited and yields were low, the highest lint yields and net values for every acre were seen in the 2×1 skip row plantings that had 40-inch spacing between rows.
There are many other reports in which skip row cotton yields were lower than the yields from solid-planted cotton when using similar row widths on a land-area basis. Here again, the primary difference is that skip row cotton often results in a higher yield on a planted-acre basis, but it tends to be harvested land acres that are used as the basis for most comparisons.
If you’re interested in learning more about the best practices for farming and harvesting your cotton crops, or are in the market for cotton picker parts that will help you enjoy a productive harvest, we strongly suggest you contact us at Certi-Pik, USA and we will be happy to provide you with some advice based on your situation and the machines you’re using. We have been working in the cotton picking and planting industry for years and are pleased to be of assistance to cotton pickers in any way we can. We look forward to connecting with you and answering any questions you have for us.
