When it comes to cotton harvest season, getting as much cotton picked as efficiently as possible is the most important thing on most farmers’ minds. So when a valuable piece of harvesting machinery breaks down, the first thing you must do is try to fix it as quickly as possible so everyone can get back to work. But, while the reasoning is sound—more picking equals more money—you must remember to always take safety into serious consideration. Instead of jumping right in to fixing the problem, take a few minutes to consider the safest way to complete the task.
Here are some helpful tips to keep you and your team safe when performing maintenance and repairs on cotton harvester parts:
Check the power: Whether it’s a dead battery or broken belt, be sure that whatever you are working on is disconnected from its power source. Occasionally, a jammed gear or slipped belt can give the illusion of no power, when the reality is that a small change can set a machine back into motion. This can result in serious bodily injury or even death. For this reason, if you are working on a detachable harvesting unit, take the time to disconnect it from the main machine. It may take more time, but it will be the safer route to take.
Buy the right parts: One reason machines fail is that their owners get new or replacement parts that are either not meant for the job or are of low quality. This can mean premature failures and a lot of frustration. Think of it this way: while a top quality manufacturer-approved cotton picking machine or part may be more expensive up front, you are likely to save a lot of time and money in the long run by buying it—instead of replacing the same failing part over and over again.
Work in teams: While it might seem like a waste of manpower to tackle mechanical fixes as a team, it can be a great way to stay safe. When working with heavy tractor parts and mechanical systems, having someone around to shut the system down completely or get help during an emergency can be the difference between life and death. So, although you might take all the necessary precautions to keep yourself safe when making repairs, there is no telling when a hydraulic jack could fail or a sleeve might get caught in a moving gear.
Communicate: When working around heavy machinery, let your team know where you are and what you’ll be doing—communication is key. If you don’t show up for lunch or aren’t answering your phone, your team will know to send someone to check on you. It may seem silly now, but if you are in trouble, you’ll be glad you followed this advice.
If a part cannot be repaired, then it may be time to look into replacement cotton harvester parts. Luckily, you can find all the top quality machine parts for your cotton harvester at Certi-Pik, USA. Call us today to learn more!
Good maintenance helps cotton pickers last longer and delays the need to replace cotton harvester parts. Heavy high-use equipment that is exposed to many elements often does not stand up to everything you throw at it. Even if you take good care of your equipment, you also need to harvest efficiently, not only to secure the best quality cotton, but also to prevent unnecessary wear-and-tear on your harvester. Help your essential equipment by implementing these four good practices:
Read the whole manual: When you purchase a new harvester, the first thing you should do is read the manual. Even if you have an older model, you are still not off the hook—pick up that manual now and get familiar with it. If you buy a new machine, it will have its quirks, and the manual will alert you to many of them. Technical content may go over your head, but tips on cleaning, maintenance and troubleshooting will set you up for productive harvests every year. You do not need an engineering degree to understand what is going on with your harvester. You just need the desire to understand so you do not have to find creative solutions without background knowledge while you are stuck in the middle of a field.
Learn basic adjustments: Use will jolt your harvester and leave some parts misaligned, which affects your productivity. Being able to adjust equipment when necessary improves your harvest. Many of these tips are in your manual, and you will want to know the default settings for parts, too. If there are frequent adjustments required by your harvester, teach them to your workers as well, so they can continue their work without having to contact you for guidance.
Center rows: Crooked rows compromise tracking and picking. You will often miss crops and waste cotton by flattening plants rather than picking from them. Poor centering results when operators are in a hurry or lack proper training. Always ensure you have time to pick—deciding to harvest right before a big storm is a poor idea. When you hire, give the worker a test to see how they center rows. You will enjoy more profit and less waste this way.
Study lint quality: You need to know the best time to harvest, and that arises with knowledge of lint quality and the effects of weather on it. It is easy to pick cotton when it is too green or during less optimal weather. For example, wet weather opens the bolls on cotton plants and that makes picking inefficient. Rather than pick below-average product, wait for the field to dry out. If there is a frost, freezing makes cotton rough, and you will not secure a high price for it. Your best time is after the bolls open and clear days allow them to dry completely.
If you require cotton harvester parts, Certi-Pik USA offers a complete inventory. We offer a wide selection and we ship anywhere in the world. Call us today to place an order or request a catalog.
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.
