As a cotton harvester, you know that if your cotton picker goes down for any amount of time, your entire business will suffer. You will have to sort through several options when looking for cotton harvester replacement parts, and it will be important that you understand the differences between fabricated and manufacturer parts so that you can determine which will be best for your picker’s needs.
Parts produced by the original manufacturer
A part that is made by the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) comes directly from the company that manufactured your cotton picker, and is stocked by the distributer. In many instances, it is logical to seek out this type of part when making repairs to your picker. If you are using a part that came directly from the manufacturer, you already have familiarity with the company, and thus can have confidence that the part you are purchasing will work effectively with your unit, as it will perform exactly the same as the part that you had before.
You can also be assured that you won’t have to spend added time fleshing out the specs, dimensions or compatibility with your machine. You can order the part and have it shipped out right away, which will shorten the amount of time that your picker will be out of commission. Most OEM parts come with a one-year warranty, which provides additional insurance should you experience any further issues.
Fabricated parts
Fabricated parts are custom made replacements for a cotton harvester, and having a part made specifically for your picker can have many advantages. If you have a part that has failed and you take it to the distributor to build a replacement part, your fabricator will have the benefit of using that broken part to see what exactly went wrong. From there, they can use that malfunctioning piece as a frame of reference to build a new part that avoids the same pitfalls that led to the failure, and reverse engineer something that has the potential to work better and last longer than the original. You will most likely be able to communicate with the fabricator before the piece is made, which would not be an option when ordering from the manufacturer, since all stock parts are made the same.
You might also have the chance to learn about the quality assurance protocols the fabricator has in place, making you a more informed consumer. Depending on the manufacturer of your cotton picker and their warranty procedures, there are cases where using a non-OEM part can void the warranty, so be sure to double check the guidelines before ordering anything.
Certi-Pik, USA has been offering quality fabricated parts in addition to our large selection of cotton harvester replacement parts from the top brands for almost 30 years, and you can trust that we will outfit you with whatever you need to make sure that your picker is running at full efficiency. Make sure to give us a call right away so they can provide you with the valuable parts you need to get your picker back in action as quickly as possible.
If you’re in the market for cotton harvester parts and looking for a new supply company to place your order with, Certi-Pik, USA has been in business for decades and offers high-quality parts that will amount to a high-quality machine.
Not only that, but we are proud to provide top-level customer service that you can rely on. Before doing business with us, read through all of these services that we offer for our customers.
With us, you can expect:
Multiple ways to order: Whether you prefer to order by telephone, fax or email, we’re here to accommodate the method that suits you best! Call us at 888-CERTIPIK (237-8474), fax your order to 712-752-8472 or email us at [email protected]. Whether or not you choose to order by phone, you can always call us to obtain product details or to check on the progress of a shipment.
A variety of payment options: Not only do we accept VISA, MasterCard, American Express and Discover credit cards, you can also pay by COD, money order or bank wire transfer.
Commitment to fulfilling back orders: We will process any back orders as soon as merchandise is available. Unless you instruct us otherwise, if you order an out-of-stock product, we will place it on back order for 90 days.
A consistent merchandise return policy: If you need to return any cotton harvester parts that you order, call us at 888-CERTIPIK (237-8474). We will send you a Return Goods Authorization (RGA) number. Send us the returned products via freight prepaid, clearly indicate the RGA number on the outside of the package and include a copy of the invoice or packing slip inside the package. If the return is due to customer error, it will be subject to a 15 percent restocking charge. All products, excluding warranty returns, must have been purchased from us within 30 days and must be in like new condition.
Warranty process: Our manufacturers warranty the products we sell to be free of defects in workmanship and materials for a period of 90 days from date of purchase, and will replace the product free of charge after you return it to Certi-Pik, USA.
Dedication to fast shipping: At Certi-Pik, USA, we classify each order as a rush shipment. Simply tell us how quickly you need your order. If you place your order before 12:00 noon CST, we will do our best to pack and ship it on the same day to anywhere within the continental United States. Orders placed on Friday after 12:00 noon CST will be shipped on the next regular business day.
Reliable shipping service: We will deliver your order via UPS Regular Ground Service. We offer Next Day Air, 2nd Day Air and 3rd Day Select Service shipping options for an additional charge. If your order exceeds UPS weight and size limitations, we will ship it via freight truck. If you’d like us to ship collect via your freight company, please let us know when ordering.
When it’s time to order new cotton harvester parts, turn to Certi-Pik, USA. Among other products, we offer products for John Deere, Case IH and CNH cotton harvesters, and we are eager to help you ensure a successful harvest experience. Contact us at 888-CERTIPIK (237-8474) with questions or to place an order!
Harvesting cotton comes with its own wide array of challenges—like dealing with machine failures and mold growth on crops—and all we can do is make sure we are as prepared as possible for any scenario. Though there isn’t much we can do to stop freak equipment failures or natural weather events, what we can do is take steps to ensure there aren’t preventable hazards present during the harvesting process. To avoid damage to cotton harvester parts, here are some things you should consider before firing up the combine and heading out to the field.
Wayward debris
Nothing will put your harvester out of commission faster that scooping up a wayward tool or piece of debris misplace in the field. You’re likely familiar with the expression that something has “thrown a wrench in the works”—well, tools and debris can cause significant damage to mechanical parts and put a stop to any work that might have been possible. Even flexible things like rope and wire can be incredibly damaging to your equipment. Whether you misplaced a roll of baling wire or left an extension cord out, a harvester won’t fair well if it discovers debris in the field.
Animals and insects
While wild animals and pesky insects may wander into your cotton fields because of natural curiosity, they can also be in the way during the cotton picking process. Not only can wildlife wreak havoc on cotton plants—by crushing crops, removing matured cotton or spreading disease—they can end up in the way as the machines roll through. Cotton harvester parts may need replacing after running over an unseen animal or a swarm of bugs. Luckily, most growers work hard to maintain pest-free fields, avoiding such hazards altogether.
Severe weather
As with any crop, weather can be your best friend or your worst enemy. With cotton, moisture introduced after bolls mature can cause mold and result in a damaged crop. In expansive and flat fields, lightning can be a real danger for equipment operators and field crews. The large metal attachments and tractors are the perfect conductors for electricity. So remember, in an open field, you and your machine are the highest point and the perfect target for lightning. Be sure to keep an eye on the forecast to make sure everyone makes it back home safe and sound.
Vehicle maintenance
Just like your daily work vehicle, your combines, harvesters and balers need to be kept in tip-top shape. During the offseason, starting them regularly and checking all electrical systems can help avoid frustration and breakdowns during harvest time. If equipment has been sitting idle for months waiting for the harvest, they can stand to go through a thorough maintenance inspection before putting them to use. Also, check all vital fluids and change the oil in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations.
If you are in the market for new cotton harvester parts, give the team at Certi-Pik, USA a call today. From aluminum picker bars to stalk lifters, we keep in stock only the best quality replacement parts made by top manufactures in the industry, including CNH, John Deere and Case IH.
If you have spent even a little bit of time in the cotton picking business, then you know how ubiquitous and highly respected the John Deere name is in this industry. Wherever folks grow cotton, chances are there are John Deere cotton harvester parts nearby, as well as many people willing to sing the praises of this historic and widely reputed brand.
But what specifically makes John Deere such an important name in the cotton industry? If you have ever wondered about this, read on to learn more about the history, the values and the general quality of John Deere cotton harvester parts.
Strong history
Today, John Deere has a secure space on the Fortune 500 rankings, and is known throughout the world for its products. But the company’s beginnings were much more humble. In fact, John Deere founded his company in Vermont in 1804 for the primary purpose of avoiding bankruptcy. An accomplished blacksmith at the time, Deere teamed up with partner Leonard Andrus in 1842, and by 1869, the team had won a silver medal for “Best and Greatest Display of Plows in Variety” at the Illinois State Fair.
John Deere kept growing and advancing through the 19th and 20th centuries, eventually becoming synonymous with high quality farming equipment of all varieties. Few businesses in the industry today have that kind of strong back-story.
Excellent products
John Deere might have a colorful history, but the real reason customers love this company is because of its highly dependable, reasonably priced and very efficient products. John Deere sells tractors and a wide range of other farming products, but its cotton harvester parts are among its most popular items.
The CS690, one of John Deere’s newest models of cotton harvesters, is known for combining the manpower of 10 harvesters into one machine. Similarly, CP690, while about half the size of its counterpart, also offers tons of efficiency and speed. You can even use the wide selection of John Deere cotton harvester parts to build your very own machine, something our customers love doing.
Brand values
John Deere might be known for its stellar products, but its backbone of core values is what has helped the company stay successful throughout decades and even centuries of existence. The founder’s core values, which the business still operates on to this day, include diversity, integrity, quality, inclusiveness and innovation.
Anyone who has ever used a John Deere cotton harvester can tell you that these ideals are not simply something the company puts on its website to look good. In fact, they are inherent to each and every product the company manufactures and sells.
Buying John Deere products
If you are looking to purchase some John Deere cotton harvester parts, but are not sure where to find a quality selection in your area, you need look no further than Certi-Pik, USA. Since 1988, we have been selling quality cotton harvesting products from John Deere and other top brands across the country.
Get in touch with the team at Certi-Pik, USA today for more information. We look forward to finding the very best brands and products to suit your needs.
Cotton picking equipment and techniques have come a long way in a short time, with annual innovations continuing to push the efficiency of harvests north of 95 percent on average. When you consider crop yields in terms of revenue, this is an astounding prospect for cotton farmers and one that rides very heavily on the overall efficiency of cotton pickers. Simply put: if a picker isn’t optimally functional, yield will suffer.
In order to maximize cotton picking efficiency, a tremendous amount of emphasis needs to be placed on the individual cotton picker parts themselves. With so many integral components to a cotton picker a compromise can occur virtually anywhere, at any stage of the picking process, driving inefficiency that is ultimately preventable with routine and regular maintenance.
Take a look at some of the breeding points for yield inefficiency as they pertain to a cotton harvester’s many points of interaction with the crop:
If the spindle tip clearance or picker head height is too high, you’re not going to have the seamless flow of stalks into the harvester, leaving margins for error and loss. Make sure to calibrate these things as a foremost approach.
Doffers and spindles need to be properly aligned to prevent loss during the transfer. If the relative position of your doffer is askew of your spindle, you’re likely to experience yield loss.
If the spindles themselves are worn, broken or damaged in any way, harvest rates will suffer. Spindles should be checked thoroughly before and after harvests, and replaced where needed.
Even spindles that are intact require cleaning to function at an optimal capacity. Plant buildups can cause a myriad of issues that impact efficiency at the point of harvest.
Moistening systems need to be checked and cleaned to ensure proper lubrication of spindles. Failure to maintain these parts can result in missed harvesting opportunities.
The maintenance of all the above components and beyond is essential in not only maintaining high crop yields, but in realizing the preventable loss that can be attributed to the harvester itself! According to independent studies done regarding harvester maintenance in relation to crop yield rates, it’s estimated that up to 20 percent harvest loss can occur on fields being harvested by improperly maintained pickers!
While harvest yield can also be affected by the status of the crops themselves and the current climate of the region, the impact of these variables pales in comparison to the effects of subpar cotton picker parts.
If your next harvest leaves behind traces of open bolls or you measure a drop in harvest efficiency, turn your attention to the maintenance of your cotton picker—namely the individual cotton picker parts that are responsible for ensuring the fluidity of your operation. Even if you’re diligent in your maintenance, it’s essential to inspect every component individually, as well as in relation to its peripheral components, to make sure that the system as a whole is optimized to perform at the highest possible levels.
