Have you ever wondered exactly what types of factors influence the prices of American cotton? Cotton farmers pay close attention to these prices, but don’t always have a clear sense of exactly what causes their regular fluctuations.
From a cotton harvester parts company, here are a few of the biggest factors that play a role in determining the price of cotton on a national and international scale:
Production totals: As the amount of cotton being produced rises and falls, so too do the prices for the crop. This is simple supply and demand in action—the more in demand the product is, the more expensive it will become. Some years have better outputs than others due to a variety of factors, including weather, bug infestations and plant diseases. Recent years have seen lower outputs than historical levels, which has led to increases in general crop prices.
Economic growth: The worse off an economy is, the less likely consumers are going to be to want to spend money on cotton-based items like jeans, shirts and bedsheets. However, as the economy continues to grow, so too do people’s expendable incomes and the amount of money they’re willing to spend on these items. Therefore, the stronger the economy, the higher the prices for cotton become.
Oil prices: It might be confusing at first to consider that oil prices and cotton prices could be at all linked. However, consider this: cotton has the single largest per-acre energy cost out of all farmed items, which means changes in oil price also directly affect changes of cotton prices. The more expensive oil becomes, the more expensive cotton becomes as well, because increased oil prices mean increased costs of harvesting that cotton, not to mention shipping it around the globe.
Seasonal changes: The price of cotton can vary depending on the time of year. The prices usually hit their peak in February and March every year, and tend to bottom out around August. This has to do with the harvest cycles and the times of year at which there is the most demand for cotton goods.
International factors: Overseas demand for cotton can also influence the prices here in the United States. China, for example, had been stockpiling cotton for years, which led to artificially inflated prices. When China stopped its stockpiling program, these prices began to come back down to earth.
Government policies: Many countries that produce cotton try to shield their farmers and the textile industries from outside competition, but when these policies change there can be a big impact on other cotton producers around the world.
Weather: Changes in climate and weather patterns can have an effect on cotton prices, especially when there are droughts. Cotton depends on fertile soil, up to four feet of water each year, plenty of sunshine and no frost, and a lack of any of these factors could result in major cotton production problems and resulting price changes.
These are just a few of the factors that affect cotton prices nationally and internationally. To speak with an expert at a cotton harvester parts company, contact Certi-Pik, USA today.
Cotton harvesting machines are worked hard, so they need regular maintenance to remain efficient and safe for operators. But what’s the best course of action for tackling maintenance tasks? The following are tips to help you stay safe while performing maintenance and installing cotton harvester replacement parts.
Disconnect from power sources
Cotton harvesters are large pieces of equipment. As such, they can be dangerous when in use or being worked on. With that in mind, make sure to disconnect the part from its power source, regardless of whether the maintenance needed is to fix a broken belt or a damaged spindle or to replace a dead battery. Be aware that sometimes something like a slipped belt or jammed gear can appear to have no power. If what appears to be a breakdown is really be a simple jam or slip, you could get injured if the machine powers up all of a sudden.
If you’re working on a detachable cotton harvesting unit, be sure to disconnect it from the rest of the machine—especially the part with the engine. While detaching it requires more time, this is the safest route.
Purchase quality parts
There are several reasons why a harvester may fail, including buying low quality replacement parts and parts that are not meant for your specific job. Wrong or weak parts can mean early part failure, and headaches for you and your team. Stop buying the same low quality replacement parts! Of course, the high quality, manufacturer-approved cotton picking replacement parts you’d get from a BBB-accredited maker and supplier will cost more up front, but this will save you money and time down the road.
Avoid working alone
Even if one person on your crew says they can perform cotton harvester maintenance just fine on their own, insist they work as part of a team. Their offer is all well and good and the extra manpower could be used elsewhere, except that working as part of a team is a way to stay safe. These machines are heavy and made up of many moving parts, so it’s best to have other people around to help get the job done, watch for potential accidents and power down the system and get help should an emergency arise.
While you’re the type of person who takes the proper precautions to stay safe when performing maintenance and repairs, you never know when something could go wrong. You could be under equipment when the hydraulic system gives out or the jack fails, or a piece of your clothing might get caught up in a gear. Work in a team for safety’s sake!
Stay in communication
Communication is key when working on and around heavy machines. The job requires constant communication with your team—whether they are there with you or elsewhere on site—letting them know where you are and what your plans are at all times. That way, if you fail to report in at a certain time or are not responding to calls, they will come check on you.
If you are in search of reliable and high-quality cotton harvester replacement parts, call or visit the team at Certi-Pik, USA today!
If you own a cotton harvester, you know how important it is to keep it in excellent working condition every year. Of course, over the course of time, exposure to the elements and nature will make this a little challenging. Still, a cotton harvester that is kept in good condition will be able to function for decades, as long as you keep up with repairing and replacing certain parts.
As with any piece of machinery, a cotton harvester is only as good as the operational value of all of its parts. The higher quality parts you have, the more likely it is you’ll be able to guarantee the long-term quality of its operation. Certi-Pik, USA is pleased to be a top provider in cotton harvester parts.
So, what is it about our company that makes our parts such a smart investment for cotton harvesters? Here are just a few of the reasons why, after three decades, we continue to be a leading supplier of cotton harvester parts:
International renown: Certi-Pik, USA is a truly worldwide brand. While all of our parts are made here in America, we have developed a reputation for quality all over the world, shipping our cotton harvester parts to countries such as South Africa, Greece, Spain, Russia, Australia and Israel, as well as a number countries in South America. This means you never have to worry about our business being unstable—we’ve been operating for decades, and have the backing of countries all over the world to ensure we continue to operate long into the future.
Partnerships: We take pride in working with other brands that have the same reputation for quality that we do. Our cotton harvester parts fit machines made by Case IH, CNH and John Deere, among others. These are some of the top names in the world of cotton harvesting, so by buying from Certi-Pik, USA, you can rest assured you’ll get the quality you expect out of these globally renowned brands.
Quality: We have an in-depth quality control program, because we care greatly about always meeting the standards our customers have for us. After all, you deserve the very best out of your machines for trusting us with your investment. This quality control procedure ensures every single part that comes out of our facilities has been closely analyzed and tested, so you can be sure it’ll hold up to many years of rigorous service.
Certifications: Certi-Pik, USA is proud to have numerous certifications and accreditations that demonstrate our professionalism and our commitment to quality machines. We are a member of the Better Business Bureau and the National Federation of Independent Business. We have credentials covering a wide variety of other quality systems. All of this means you can feel good about placing your trust in our brand.
These are just a few of the reasons why so many people trust us at Certi-Pik, USA with their cotton harvesters. For more information about the many benefits we provide to our customers, contact our team today.
One of the most catastrophic events that can occur on your cotton farm is a sudden fire. Because it is a very dry and flammable material, cotton is extremely sensitive to heat and ignites easily, which can lead to complete destruction of cotton fields, farm property and expensive cotton picking machinery in the event of a fire.
Fires involving cotton harvester parts are an unfortunate reality for farmers around the world, but are also easily avoided. To prevent fires from destroying your next cotton harvest and endangering the lives of you and your employees, exercise caution and use these tips to keep your cotton farm safe.
Implement thorough fire prevention methods
The easiest way to avoid large-scale cotton picker fires is to implement routine methods for fire prevention. The first thing you should do is clean all cotton harvester parts thoroughly on a routine schedule. Debris is known to build up on parts such as spindles. The lint, seed and oil from cotton crops can act as fuel if friction causes a spark on your machine. Cleaning your parts will not only help prevent fires, but can extend the longevity of your equipment.
Additionally, inspect the bearings on your machines every day to identify signs of overheating or looseness, as these can ignite fires. If you do identify a problematic part, replace it immediately.
Finally, keep the baskets of your cotton harvester clear. Some cotton farmers are hesitant to clear baskets due to the loss of some crop; however, uncleared baskets provide additional fuel for fires and can also obstruct the view of hydraulic hoses and fuel lines, making you unable to detect a fire early on in the event that one occurs.
Be prepared for the worst during harvest
After a routine cleaning and inspection of your cotton harvester parts is complete, you should still continue to exercise caution while harvesting your crop. Be careful to avoid rocks or other debris on the ground that might become lodged in picking units and cause sparks when driven over.
Although you hopefully will not need them, always equip your harvester with fire extinguishers to put out a fire while it is still manageable. Additionally, make sure you have a radio or cell phone available on the machine to communicate with others in the event of a blaze.
While harvesting, always remain aware of any signs of fire. The smell of burning cotton is very distinct and is often an initial giveaway to the appearance of a fire. To prepare, burn a small amount of cotton to become familiar with the scent so you can recognize it later if need be.
Choose Certi-Pik, USA for reliable cotton harvester parts
Certainly, using top-quality replacement parts for your cotton harvester can assist in reducing the risk of fire during harvest season. For a wide selection of manufactured and fabricated cotton harvester parts, call Certi-Pik, USA. We also offer a broad list of quality specialty items and sheet metal parts for rebuilding picker units. For more than 30 years, we’ve served customers around the world with our top-quality products and competitive prices. Call today!
Farming is a way of life for some, while others rely on farmers and their crops for necessities like food to eat and materials to manufacture goods. The farming industry is ever evolving, especially the machinery used and methods employed, making crop harvesting less labor-intensive for some farmers and quicker and more efficient for others. Therefore, machines are not only used for cultivating acres of land, but for harvesting as well.
One such harvest method that has evolved over the years is cotton picking. The manual harvesting of cotton as performed in years past was physically painstaking and labor-intensive, making modern cotton picking technology something to admire and appreciate. Let’s take a look at a brief history of cotton pickers and the advancement of cotton harvester parts.
Early harvesting technology (1930s and 1940s)
All cotton harvests prior to the 1930s were performed by hand, and the product hand-carried in containers. It wasn’t until the late 1930s that the first cotton harvester prototype, labeled a Harvesting Locomotive, was created by John Rust. It seemed like he had found a solution to cotton harvesting. Unfortunately, the prototype was expensive and broke down easily.
In the 1940s, Rust’s cotton harvesting locomotive was redesigned with major improvements. The new machine was revealed to feature cotton picker spindles and a part that would later turn into doffers. This innovative design reduced the amount of labor needed during harvest; however, it was quickly discovered that it also degraded the cotton. Further improvement was needed.
New ideas begin to emerge (1950s to 1980s)
The 1950s came around, and with them, another new and improved cotton picker. It now sported a reinforced steel frame and several rows of cotton picker spindles. This cotton picker had baskets specifically for catching and storing cotton, and not too long later, an operator’s cabin would be added along with further improvements.
John Deere came into the picture in the 1980s and transformed the cotton harvester into a fully functional piece of harvesting equipment. Mass production of John Deere’s improved models and parts enhancements commenced with quality and efficiency in mind. During this time, cotton picking production increased 85 to 95 percent.
Modern Day Cotton Pickers
John Deere is still the leading innovator in the cotton harvesting industry. From the introduction of the four-row cotton picker in the 1980s to the six-row picker in the 1990s, you can bet this opened the door for John Deere to make further improvements. In 2009, manual labor associated with picking cotton reduced dramatically thanks to innovative and high-quality harvester machine parts and components. This is why farmers should choose the right cotton harvesting machine for their needs to ensure many seasons of successful cotton crop picking.
For safety, harvesting efficiency and a good cotton harvest, it’s important to use the best equipment for the job. No matter the particular cotton harvester parts you need, it’s a sure bet that the team at Certi-Pik, USA either has it or can get it for you. Call us for more information or to hear about our parts inventory today!
