Are you new to cotton picking? Or could you use a refresher on how to properly clean your cotton picker and cotton picker parts? If so, you have come to the right place!
Here at Certi-Pik, USA, we have decades of experience in producing high-quality cotton picker parts, and servicing and repairing them as well. We’ve seen time and time again how not properly cleaning and taking care of your cotton picker can cause some serious problems, which is why we decided to put together some basic tips on how to safely and effectively clean your cotton picker and cotton picker spindle.
With that in mind, here are five things to consider when cleaning your cotton picker:
Low-pressure water washing: Low-pressure water washing is ideal for washing debris from the front row units of your cotton picker. It is very effective, but it will require a good amount of time, especially if you have a large, multi-row picker. It also makes the ground around the cotton picker very wet, so be careful not to slip and fall when using this cleaning method.
High-pressure water washing: Want to remove the trash and grease in your row units, but don’t have time to wait around for a low-pressure water washing? If so, then high-pressure water washing is your best bet. The higher force of the water pressure is great for pushing off extreme buildup, and is particularly helpful for cleaning out the inside of row-unit cabinets.
High-pressure air cleaning: If you need to remove trash and lint buildup from a cotton picker or cotton picker spindle, then high-pressure air cleaning may be your best bet. Keep in mind that the volume of your high-pressure air cleaner will affect how powerful it is, and you will want to do some research to figure out the safest and most effective level to put your cleaner on.
Precautions: Cleaning a cotton picker can be dangerous work—but as long as you take the proper precautions, you should stay safe. Be sure to wear safety equipment, including gloves, boots, eyewear, long pants, a long-sleeve shirt and heat protection gear. Never point your high-pressure air cleaner at the radiators, hydraulic oil burners or other combustible components.
More tips: There is a lot more we could cover here—remember, if you have questions, ask a professional! That being said, here are a few more general tips to keep in mind about cleaning your cotton picker: raise the handrails when cleaning the tops of bale chambers or picker baskets; hold both handrails and face the ladder when climbing up or down; and remember to use the safety locks on all bale chambers and baskets before cleaning your cotton picker. If you follow these simple tips, you should be in good shape!
Now you know the basics when it comes to cleaning cotton pickers and cotton picker parts! We hope this has been helpful, but if you still have questions, please do not hesitate to contact the helpful team at Certi-Pik, USA.
Ever since the advent of agriculture, people have been developing technologies, techniques and devices that are designed to promote efficiency, increase yield and cut down on time and labor. Different crops are planted, grown and harvested with different kinds of machinery and products, and everything that is used during the agricultural process plays an important role in the production of the crop.
However, when it comes to cotton, one specific piece of machinery stands out above the rest: the cotton picker. This piece of machinery has reduced harvest time while maximizing the amount of cotton that can be harvested and used. There are different kinds of cotton picker components, but the most efficient is the cotton picker spindle. Find out more about how this technology came to be and how it has become such an important part of the agricultural industry.
The advent of the cotton picker
Cotton has a long history in the United States, with the first reports of cotton growth occurring in the 16th and 17th centuries in Florida and other southern regions. Cotton fibers were a popular good that was traded throughout the world, with significant demand in Europe. Because of the prominence of this crop, there was a lot of motivation for farmers and traders to develop technology to streamline the growth process. In fact, Eli Whitney’s invention of the cotton gin in 1793—a tool which separates cotton fibers from seeds—is widely regarded as one of the most important inventions of the agricultural revolution.
The first piece of cotton picking machinery was developed in the early 20th century by John Daniel Rust and his brother Mack Rust. The Rust brothers managed to develop equipment that was capable of picking cotton efficiently, although the first pieces of machinery did have certain drawbacks. The first commercially successful cotton harvester was developed in 1944, with schematics based on the Rust brothers’ initial design. These early harvesters could only pick one row of cotton at a time and, although they were much faster than picking by hand, they were still not as efficient as the kind of equipment we have today.
Spindle picker
Spindle pickers are much more efficient than more traditional stripper pickers, and they are the preferred choice among harvesters. A stripper picker picks up most of the cotton fiber as well as a significant amount of the cotton plants themselves, and then the fiber is separated from the plant matter later on. With a spindle picker, barbed spindles arranged in rows in the harvester spin at high speeds and separate cotton from seeds and plant matter. A cotton picker spindle offers efficiency and speed thanks to its advanced design.
Find cotton picker spindles
At Certi-Pik, USA, we understand how important technology is when it comes to cotton harvesting, which is why we are proud to offer high-quality fabricated parts for cotton picking machinery. We have an extensive inventory of premier specialty parts from reputable brands, and we can fabricate replacement parts that are specifically designed for your needs and the machinery you are rebuilding. Our team is dedicated to providing our customers with an outstanding service experience, as well as exceptional products and fair pricing. You can find out more about what we have to offer by browsing our website or giving us a call today to speak with one of our knowledgeable team members.
As you would when you own any large piece of machinery, the best way to ensure you are using, cleaning and maintaining your cotton picker spindle properly is to have a basic idea of its function and mechanics. Having this understanding will also come in handy when you go to purchase replacement parts from a reputable source, like Certi-Pik, USA, as well as when your equipment requires regular care and maintenance. Being familiar with this harvester part helps you avoid unplanned downtime due to repair needs.
With this in mind, let’s take a closer look at cotton picker spindles, and clarify why regular maintenance is such an important part of owning cotton picking equipment.
What spindles are
The cotton picker spindle is one of the most essential parts to your harvesting machine, and therefore requires individual attention when it’s time for cleaning and maintenance work. Additionally, since the good condition of the spindles can better guarantee operational efficiency during harvest, regular inspections are recommended.
Spindles are not unique to cotton harvesters, as they are used in other machinery such as milling equipment and drill presses. But, as a tool for a harvester, they are made to rotate on an axis at very high speeds as a method of removing seeds from the picked cotton plants. In the past, the seeds were removed by hand, which took a significant amount of time to accomplish, making the cotton spindle a seriously time saving invention.
The cotton picker spindle has not change much since its creation. What has changed is the understanding of the importance of parts maintenance for long life and a superior harvest. For instance, you can tell there is a problem with the spindle when the cotton that gets picked is not usable or there is damage to the plants. If your spindles are properly maintained, they can last for years, so make sure preventative maintenance starts the day you get a new harvester.
Before and after harvest
As mentioned above, maintenance of your cotton picker spindles is an important step to prevent damage to cotton crops during harvest and to ensure a long machine lifespan. Check the spindles before harvest, and perform maintenance afterwards:
Before and during picking: A part of maintenance is to check the condition of the spindles regularly during the harvest season. Inspect them before picking, and then check for damage or needed adjustments throughout harvest time. Also, check other harvester parts that contribute to the function of the spindles—such as the moistener pads, bushings, doffers and cam track—for wear, damage and debris buildup.
After a harvest: You may be able to feel or sense there is something wrong with your harvester while it’s in action. Once the machine has cooled, check for broken parts or wear and tear. The spindles will also need cleaning after every harvest, especially since any green plants that touch the spindles could result in a jam.
Proper preventative maintenance of picker spindles and other harvester parts is the key to a successful and lucrative cotton harvest. Call the team at Certi-Pik, USA to find cotton harvester replacement parts, including cotton picker spindles, drumheads and slip clutches.
For millennia, human beings have facilitated the growth and cultivation of the cotton plant. This unique piece of flora is one of the most widely farmed and widely used agricultural products in the world, and continues to be one of the globe’s most significant crops. Cotton and its derivatives played extensive role in the formation of modern society, and the plant continues to shape the way that economies operate. The cotton industry continues to be one of the bedrock trades of civilization, even in today’s technologically advanced era.
The cotton picker spindle, invented in the late 1920s, allows this essential cash crop to be harvested with more efficiency than ever before. Over the past century, the cotton industry has continued to evolve and adapt to shifting technological abilities and changing market demands.
Because of its long history and unique taxonomical attributes, there are a number of interesting facts about the cotton plant and the continuously booming industry surrounding it. Here are just some of the most interesting things about the cotton plant and the related cotton industry:
Ancient origins: Cotton is one of the earliest known crops. Cotton seeds dating back to 450 B.C.E. have been found in Peru. It’s thought that cotton has been cultivated in places like India for more than 5,000 years.
Traveling plant: Cotton seeds are durable, and are designed to travel long distances! Cotton seeds can blow across oceans, and remain viable for thousands of miles. No matter where it is grown, cotton is cleaned and harvested in a similar manner.
Lots of uses: This plant isn’t just for clothing—cotton is also used to fill furniture, automobile upholstery and more! Cotton is also a key component of United States currency.
Using the whole plant: During processing, the entire cotton plant is used, not just the fibers. After a cotton picker spindle removes the fluffy bolls, the seeds are processed into cottonseed oil for human and animal consumption, and the stalks are tilled into the soil.
Cellulose substance: The fibers in a cotton boll are composed of cellulose, a natural polymer that can actually be digested by animals such as horses and cattle. Humans, however, cannot process cellulose.
Stronger with water: Cotton is actually stronger when it is wet, unlike other types of cellulose fibers, such as rayon and wood pulp. This means that it is especially valuable in medical and cleaning applications.
Certi-Pik, USA is the most dependable source of high-quality cotton picker spindle parts in the nation. You can count on us to have reliable components that can help you get your cotton picker spindle up and running in a prompt and effective manner. We are pleased to support the cotton industry, and are proud members of the United States’ agricultural community.
We have been making cotton picker spindle components since 1988. We fabricate a wide range of parts and specialty items for cotton growers of all sizes. If you are looking for a reliable source of supplies, reach out to one of our helpful teammates today!
Cotton production is an economic driver that benefits people across the globe. The commodity is harvested using a highly technical, automated process that requires a vast amount of technological know-how on behalf of the farmer. Before being brought to market, cotton must be turned from bolls, which are light, fluffy balls filled with seeds, into clean and sellable raw fibers. Two main harvesting methods exist for the processing of cotton bolls, both of which have a number of benefits and drawbacks.
Cotton strippers and cotton pickers are the two main types of harvesting equipment used in cotton production. Working with a qualified purveyor of cotton harvester parts is the best way to ensure that you are using a harvesting method that works for you and your land.
Cotton picker spindles
Cotton pickers use finger-like spindles to remove cotton from the bolls directly on the plant. This type of harvester is minimally invasive, and does very little damage to the plants themselves while in use. Typically, you will see cotton pickers running through fields multiple times throughout the growing season, because they do not do any damage to the plant while they are harvesting the ripe cotton from the bolls.
Cotton pickers are particularly useful in areas where repeat harvests are possible, because they allows farmers to maximize the investment they have placed in their fields.
Cotton pickers pass over unopened bolls, and leave the undesirable components of the boll behind on the plant. In most instances, cotton pickers are the more sensible option; however, it is recommended that you talk to a cotton harvester parts dealer prior to making any type of investment in cotton picking gear.
Cotton strippers
As the name suggests, cotton strippers literally strip all of the cotton directly off the stalks of the cotton plants. This is a much more invasive procedure than that which is employed by the cotton picker spindles; however, it can be useful in some instances.
Cotton strippers deposit the stalks, in addition to the unripe and green bolls, to the underside of the machine during the harvesting process. Once the ripe bolls are sorted, they will have to go through another machine after harvesting to be cleaned and have their seeds removed. Cotton strippers are generally only used in areas where repeat harvests are impossible; however, you should consult with a seller of cotton harvester parts before deciding which type of machine is right for you.
Since 1988, Certi-Pik, USA has been offering high-quality equipment solutions for cotton farmers across America’s Heartland. You can count on our dependable gear to get you through this year’s harvest and a plethora of harvests to come.
As a locally owned and operated firm, we are proud to offer some of the highest quality cotton harvester parts available. We are known throughout the region for our high-caliber equipment, and we seek to deliver a top-notch product for our own clients as well as for their customers. If you are wondering whether a cotton stripper or a cotton picker is right for you, you should reach out to one of our friendly representatives today.
