As a business that sells cotton harvester parts to farmers all over the country, we know that it can be difficult to stay on top of maintenance and cleaning, especially when many parts require daily care. But maintenance is key to keeping your harvester effective, saving you money and hassle and ensuring you get the most productive crop possible.
While cotton harvester maintenance might seem like a convoluted chore, in truth, it can be broken down into a handful of steps. With that in mind, here are six key tips for maintaining your cotton harvester, and ensuring your parts last for a long time:
Use caution: Before you attempt any sort of maintenance on your cotton harvester (or operate it at all, for that matter), you need to fully educate yourself about the different cautions and safety procedures. Read the specific owner’s manual that comes with your cotton harvester, and follow any and all caution stickers on the machine itself. This is one step that is well worth the effort.
Maintain the header: Your cotton harvester’s header is one of the most crucial parts of the machine, which means that it is also one of the parts that is most prone to maintenance issues. Keep your header in great shape by taking the time to clean it of any debris at the end of every workday.
Care for the row units: The row units are the part of your cotton harvester that actually connect with the cotton, making them a key part of your daily job. To ensure that you yield the highest and most high quality crop possible, make sure you clean and lubricate each row unit at the beginning of each work shift.
Lubrication and cleaning: While the header and row units are perhaps the most important parts of your cotton harvester, they are certainly not the only parts that need routine lubrication and cleaning. Your rear axle, cooling package, steering linkage and universal joint housings all need some regular TLC as well.
Clean the engine: Though the engine does not directly interact with your cotton harvest, it can still easily become clogged with debris, which can reduce the effectiveness of the machine. That means you should remember to clean it out at least once a week. And as with any type of vehicle engine, make sure it is always well lubricated, too.
Ask a professional: Finally, if you are new to cotton harvesting, or if it has been a while since you got your last brush-up on cotton harvester maintenance, remember that there is no shame in asking for help. The next time you buy new cotton harvester parts, take the time to ask your dealer if they have any advice or warnings about routine cotton harvester maintenance.
If you are in the market for new cotton harvester parts and are looking for the best in the industry, we hope you will get in touch with Certi-Pik, USA soon. We fabricate and sell replacement parts for many of the top brands in the industry.
Fires arise in cotton harvester parts due to a buildup of debris that generates heat. If the operator catches it in the smoldering mass phase, it can be a relatively minor problem that is solved quickly. However, failing to pay attention to the possibility of fires can result in serious harvest loss and worker injury. Here are effective measures for avoiding and containing cotton picker fires:
Stay ahead on cleaning: In order to avoid fires in the first place, stay on top of cleaning and servicing the picker. The buildup of lint, seeds and oil allows for ready fuel if an engine gets too hot or friction increases during the picking process. While this is by no means foolproof, it will eliminate the most common causes of cotton picker fires.
Watch for odors: Cotton and its oils have a distinct smell when they are burning. If you have someone new on your team, burn a small amount of cotton in a controlled setting so the odor is recognizable if it arises. That way, you and anyone working for you will know immediately when it is time to stop the harvester and find the source of the smoldering so it can be stopped.
Make communication possible: Harvesters should be equipped with cell phones or radios in case of trouble. One small fire can burn up a field, so anyone operating the harvester needs the means to get help quickly.
Clear baskets: People are frequently reluctant to empty the baskets, as that means losing part of the crop. However, this is also how fires are missed and become out-of-control conflagrations. Make it clear that it is preferable to lose some cotton rather than burn up an entire field due to fires left undetected. A full basket blocks the view to hydraulic hoses and fuel lines, which may be the source of a fire. With seed cotton still on the picker, that can be a disaster waiting to happen.
Keep fire extinguishers nearby: For flash lint and seed-based fires, use a water-based fire extinguisher. Other types of fires need a Type ABC extinguisher. When using these, point them at the base of the flames and use short bursts. Spraying long blasts can actually spread the fire to the field. Replace all used extinguishers, as these are one-use items.
If in doubt—stop: If you do not find the source of the fire or it appears that the fire arose from a mechanical deficiency, it is best to stop picking for the day. The loss from a fire will always be greater than that resulting from a slightly delayed harvest. Sometimes the best course of action is to bring in the picker and give it a more thorough inspection in case fuel or hydraulic lines are the culprits.
Good maintenance of cotton harvester parts can prevent fires, and you need a good supplier to assure quality maintenance. Contact Certi-Pik, USA to find the parts you need and enjoy many safe cotton harvests in the future.
When your cotton harvester starts to act up, it may require a rebuild. This process is not too harrowing if you can find a good source for John Deere cotton picker parts. As this is such a specialty item, it can be difficult to find a good source for parts and purchase the items most likely to keep your harvester running well for a long time. Here is an overview of how to approach this issue so you can successfully rebuild your cotton picker.
Start with a trusted source
The only good news with finding a trusted source is that the market is not saturated with likely candidates. Companies that deal with cotton pickers are national by virtue of the demand for that availability. This is not a service easily secured just through visiting a corner market.
Since your potential sources are most likely specialists, your first priority is brand expertise. Not everyone offers parts for all brands of cotton pickers, and some shops may only focus on one type of model. Check with distributors to assure that they carry parts for your particular model. John Deere, CNH and Case IH are just a few of the brand models for cotton pickers, and buying CNH parts for a John Deere is unlikely to be helpful. That is why you should be aware of your harvester specifications and find those most familiar with the brand.
While parts are often stocked, some distributors build to order. Check for online reviews and call to ask specifically about the part you need and experience with the brand. Also check for terms and conditions that allow for returns or refunds. You never want to go with a distributor that does not offer a guarantee of satisfaction. There needs to be some type of warranty in case a part does not work out, as that harvester secures your income and you will require a remedy if the new parts fail.
Know what you need
You also want to be sure you know which parts you need to get your harvester working well again. Most distributors offer specialty and sheet metal parts that will work well with rebuilding a cotton harvester. Some will be kept in stock while others will require custom building.
In-stock parts can include cam tracks, spindle nuts, lubrication hoses, CTX scrapping plates, cabinet parts, drumheads and spindles. Slip clutches and idler gears are also subject to regular replacement. Before you spend more money on a custom part, check a distributor’s in-stock list first to possibly save costs.
Knowledgeable distributors who can offer guidance or refer you to a repair technician are also a good resource. If you are having difficulty diagnosing the issue with your cotton picker, it can prove convenient to speak with someone who can let you know if you are in over your head.
Certi-Pik, USA sells John Deere cotton picker parts for harvester rebuilds. We offer parts for other models, too, so do not hesitate to call us when you require assistance.
Owning and operating a cotton harvester means keeping that marvelous piece of engineering in top working order year after year—however as most cotton farmers know all too well, nature, the elements and time are all working against you. A well-kept cotton harvester can function for decades without losing efficiency, but year after year, something is going to need replacement.
A cotton harvester is only as good as the sum of its parts, which means quality parts equals quality operation. And, if you’re looking to make a smart investment in your cotton harvester, it’s a good idea to make sure your parts are coming from Certi-Pik, USA!
Why choose Certi-Pik, USA for cotton harvester parts? Take a look at the many reasons we’ve been a leading supplier of parts since 1988:
Worldwide brand: Our parts may be made in the USA with pride, but they’re known all around the world. As a worldwide shipper of cotton harvester parts, you’ll find the Certi-Pik brand throughout the global market, including countries where agriculture is a staple of the economy, including Greece, South Africa, Spain, Russia, South America, Australia and Israel! Being a worldwide brand means you don’t have to worry about our stability—we’ve been here for years and will continue to provide quality into the future.
Brand partnerships: As in any industry, the cotton harvesting industry is one that’s paved with quality brand names—names that we’ve aligned ourselves with to further our own quality reputation. When you come to Certi-Pik, USA for cotton harvester parts, you’ll find offerings made to fit John Deere, Case IH, and CNH cotton harvesters, among others. In buying through us, you’ll be guaranteed the quality that comes with renowned brand names.
Accreditations: because we take our role in the industry seriously, Certi-Pik, USA strives to maintain professional accreditations that lend credence to our brand. We’re a proud member of the Better Business Bureau and member of the Federation of Independent Business, for starters! Our industry credentials encompass a number of other quality systems, making us a sound choice to earn your business.
Quality control: Our customers deserve the best and we rise to that standard by providing nothing short of it. Thanks to an in-depth quality assurance procedure, you can be sure that every part that ships from our facilities has undergone tremendous scrutiny, so that it holds up to the long life of service ahead of it.
If you’re seeking to remain diligent in the maintenance and upkeep of your cotton harvester, know that Certi-Pik, USA has your back! Thanks to all of the above attributes and more, we’ve built a business that we’re proud of and one that our customers have come to trust for decades.
Don’t let Mother Nature, Father Time or tremendous wear and tear batter your cotton harvester into submission—instead, make sure that it’s strong enough to stand up to your needs year after year. Trust Certi-Pik, USA to provide you with quality parts that will amount to a quality machine, through and through.
When it comes to complex machinery, there’s not much on a farm that tops a cotton harvester. The sheer size of these behemoths and all of the mechanical parts that power them can be overwhelming when it comes to understanding, but when you look at the whole by the sum of its parts, it becomes a little easier to discern exactly how a cotton harvester is able to get the job done.
Take a look at some of the individual cotton harvester parts that help to facilitate a clean harvest and see which ones you’re intimately familiar with:
Row unit: Row units are perhaps the most identifiable part of your cotton harvester—they’re the claw-like fixtures that stick out of the front, through which the cotton plants are funneled. Within the depths of each row unit you’ll find the cotton spindle bushings and the spindles themselves. Cotton harvesters come in all different sizes, but perhaps the most popular are six and ten row units.
Spindles and bushings: Bushings are the rotating cylinders that have spindles sticking out of them—they serve to snatch the cotton plant that’s funneled into the row unit and separate the cotton flower from the stalk.
Doffers: Doffers are used to snatch the freshly removed cotton flower from the spindle. Doffers spin about three times faster than spindles, allowing them to quickly strip away cotton and other debris from the spindles so that they can continue to function unimpeded.
Moistening system: As spindles pass in cycles, picking cotton and being swiped by the doffers, they also require cleaning. The spindle moistening system is one of the most underrated cotton harvester parts but it’s tremendously essential for facilitating clean picking and depositing. Without being cleaned, spindles can become gummed up with plant matter, cockleburs or other debris that hinders their ability to properly pick cotton.
Picker ribs: The picker ribs are located vertically in the row unit and separate spindles as they spin. Picker ribs are essential for clearing the spindles of twigs, dried leaves and other items that might clog up doffers or moistening systems.
Plant lifters: Plant lifters are located at the bottom of row units and help to funnel plants into the row units themselves. These important pieces are located only about an inch off the ground, so as to snag as much of the plant as possible and gently feed it into the harvester so that cotton harvesting is maximized.
Now that you’re familiar with some of the more important and essential parts of your cotton harvester, its time to take care of them! Make sure to inspect and assess the integrity of these parts often and thoroughly, so that your harvester does the best possible job for you year in and year out. And, if you need cotton harvester parts, make sure you’re calling Certi-Pik, USA today for the very best in new and replacement parts!
