Every season, your cotton picker machines work hard to serve a purpose out in the fields. Without these machines, cotton farmers would still be picking cotton by hand and lugging the crop back to the barn in large containers. So it makes sense that you’d want to practice regular maintenance on equipment before and after each harvest to ensure proper function—this includes cleaning, making repairs, checking moving parts and replacing parts when they no longer work as they should.
Rows of cotton picker spindles make up one such component of a harvester—and an important part at that. These spindles must be in very good shape, especially since they’re the tools used to separate the seed cotton from the cotton plant. This is all the more reason to keep an eye open for the following signs that it’s time to replace your cotton picker spindles.
Broken or damaged spindles
Although spindles are made heavy-duty, it’s pretty common for picker spindles to sustain damage and wear and tear after years of use in the fields, even with regular maintenance. And since the spindles are rotating around constantly, it may or may not be obvious to see that a few grouped spindles are no longer whole—that is, until you notice sections of cotton plants still standing after the machine has done a pass. Check your machine for broken spindles at the start and the end of each harvest season.
Loose or missing spindles
There are damaged spindles… and then there are missing spindles. If an entire spindle is missing, that means it either got torn completely off the harvester or it came loose and fell off somewhere in the cotton field. From time to time, it’s a good idea to get a professional inspection of spindles and threading, but you can also check spindles yourself to avoid a serious malfunction while in use. Make sure new ones are attached securely, to the threading, not at all loose.
Dull spindles
Cotton spindles are made to last a long time. However, they can dull to the point of uselessness. Like teeth for a field crop harvester, cotton picker spindles can begin to wear down over time, and sometimes need to be replaced with new ones. To know which ones have ceased to be functional, compare the rows of spindles to each other, looking for individual pieces that feel smooth when you touch them with your bare hands.
Rusted spindles
Rust does not favor any particular piece of equipment. If it’s metal and left out in a damp environment, there’s a likely chance that rust will form—and spindles are made of metal. As rust slowly starts to corrode metal surfaces, you will notice a reddish-brown color coupled with flakes of metal peeling off—and if you don’t remove it, it will spread. To reduce the chances of rust taking over your cotton picker spindles, make sure to store equipment properly in an enclosed building, protected from all types of moisture.
If you notice any of the above signs, you may consider replacing problem cotton picker spindles with premium products from Certi-Pik, USA. Contact us today to learn more or check our stock!
The first step to keeping your cotton picker well maintained and in good repair is to understand how it works. One part that Certi-Pik, USA stocks for replacement is the cotton picker spindle, which requires cleaning and maintenance unique to its function. As one of the most essential parts to your harvester, it is one you need to be familiar with if you wish to keep your cotton venture profitable and avoid delays due to avoidable repairs. Here is an explanation of the cotton picker spindle and how it works.
Spindles: Essential to machinery
Spindles are machine tools which rotate on an access. They are present in wood lathes, milling equipment and drill presses, as well as cotton pickers. On a spindle harvester, their job is to rotate at high-speeds to remove the seeds from the cotton. As this step used to be performed by hand, it is an incredible labor-saving device. The technology is so effective that it has changed very little since its initial invention.
When spindles fail during harvest, you will likely end up with cotton that is picked but not useful, or damage to your plants and crop. Well-maintained spindles are the reason older models continue to work well decades later. You will find maintenance is a good idea with new harvesters, too, as your cotton picker is an expensive capital investment.
Before picking: Check spindles
Maintenance requires being aware of the conditions of spindles at all times during harvest season. When it is time for the first cotton harvest, check the spindles before going forward. You want to check for worn or damaged spindles, along with the parts that support them. Moistener pads keep them from debris buildup, and doffers, bushings, bearings and cam track also contribute to overall functioning of the spindles and overall harvester operation.
Also check adjustments of the moistener pads and the doffer. These should run close to the spindles so they can perform their functions. Once you confirm everything is aligned and working well together, it is time to start the harvest.
Post-harvest maintenance steps
If you experienced any rough operation during harvest, check to see if anything is broken. Wear and tear you couldn’t see before harvest may have manifested once you started work. Since the plants are greener at the first picking, it is easier for spindles to gum up or develop issues. That is why it is a good idea to check them again once you end work, even if you did a pre-harvest inspection.
You also need to clean spindles after every harvest, even if the conditions were optimal. Remove the plant juices, as that can jam them. Check for cotton stuck in the grates. You can use tap water to keep the moistener system full and the spindles clean. If you have hard water, spindle oils are also highly recommended.
Understanding the importance and operation of spindles will help you preserve them. When they wear out, contact Certi-Pick, USA to replace the damaged cotton picker spindle. Review our catalog or call us today to find what you need.
When it comes to separating precious cotton fibers from the stalks they grow on, nothing beats the simplicity and effectiveness of a cotton harvester. But, in order to make sure you’re getting maximum harvest levels and quality cotton, it begs attention to invest in the right type of harvester. There are two schools of thought here: cotton strippers and cotton picker spindles. And while both are effective in aiding with cotton harvesting, they go about it with different technologies.
The stripper
Named for the manner in which it literally strips cotton bolls from the stalk, a stripper is best utilized in situations where cotton crops are shorter, with shorter fibers.
Generally, a cotton stripper consists of two cylinders, each with alternating rows of hard rubberized bats and stiff wire brushes, which rotate to grab cotton stalks. As stalks pass between these cylinders, the entire cotton boll is separated from the stalk and harvested, whether it’s open or green!
Once removed, bolls are blown by a fan into a receiving basket—however because green bolls are heavier and contain more moisture, they’re segregated and relegated to be deposited on the underside of the harvester, since they’re not desirable.
The picker
Equipped with barbed spindles that literally detach bolls from the stalk, a cotton picker is also aptly named. In conjunction with a constantly moisturized pad, a picker is able to grab lint and remove it from the boll itself. The cycle is completed when the rotating spindle passes over the doffer—a device that wipes it clean and returns it to the front where it will pick another boll. From there, it’s all the same as the lint is blown into the basket, leaving behind the burr and the unused parts of the boll.
In general, pickers are preferred and ultimately work better when cotton has taller stalks and longer fibers, since the many rotating spindles will work to harvest at a quicker and more efficient rate.
Modern technology
So, the question becomes: which harvesting technology is appropriate for you? As mentioned, strippers and pickers tend to work better as the crop is taller or shorter, but aside from these variables there are a few factors to consider as well:
Due to the way they operate, debris can play a roll in how effective a stripper or picker is. It takes proper cleaning and maintenance to ensure maximum picking efficiency.
Spindles require replacement often, as they break and bend with constant harvesting; strippers require more cleaning than their counterpart, simply because of the wire brushing and the boll debris.
It’s left to the eye of the beholder, but often pickers create quicker harvest times, since there’s less stoppage and more efficient harvesting for average stalk sizes.
When it all comes down to its, both strippers and pickers have their own place in the realm of modern cotton picking equipment—it’s up to the farmer to understand which will best serve their needs.
When you’re harvesting cotton season after season, it can be easy to lose track of regular maintenance items that aren’t an every-season priority. Cotton picker spindles tend to fall into this category, since spindles are generally maintained on an as-needed basis and usually individually based on their condition.
But how do you know for sure that your spindles actually need to be replaced? Or, more importantly, how can you tell if a spindle is going to function properly and without fault so that you can maintain high harvest rates when it comes time to gather your crop?
Take a look at a few of the telltale signs that can spring up when you’re in need of replacement cotton picker spindles and how these conditions come about:
Broken spindles: After years of heavy wear and tear, spindles can snap off at any point, leaving a void where the barb once was. If enough spindles snap off in a local area, the picker is going to miss larger and larger clumps of cotton flower, lessening the potential of the yield. Inspect your picker before the season for any broken spindles and replace them as needed.
Rusted spindles: Spindles are made of metal, which makes them prone to rusting if exposed to moisture. Especially if the spindles are older and have been exposed to wear and tear, moisture can infiltrate the metal to create rust decay quite quickly. And, as we all know, rust spreads, making it important to identify and replace rusted spindles quickly. To prevent rust, store your picker in a facility that has low humidity and is immune to rain.
Dull spindles: Spindles that manage to stay on through the years and avoid breaking will often become dull. This occurs because acre upon acre of cotton plants being collected cause wear and tear, slowly smoothing out the notches and grooves on a spindle. To check the dullness of your spindles, simply compare a new spindle to a dulled one and replace when the spindle is smooth to the touch.
Missing spindles: If a spindle is missing entirely, with no sign of breakage or damage, it generally means that the spindle itself was torn off. This could be the sign of an improper initial installation, but it could also indicate damage to the threading where the spindle screws in. Check the socket and if it appears to have solid threading, be sure to replace the spindle, securing it as tightly as possible to prevent looseness.
Whatever ailment may have befallen your spindles, it’s important to see that it’s taken care of before you begin your harvest, or your yield is going to suffer. Furthermore, inspecting and assessing the condition of your spindles periodically throughout the year is going to alert you to any issues that may require attention before the harvest season comes about—saving you time and money.
For the very best in cotton picker spindles and other picker parts, contact Certi-Pik, USA today!
