Category: Spindles

The Cotton Picker Spindle: What It Is and Why It’s Important

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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.

Cotton Strippers Versus Cotton Picker Spindles

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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:

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 to Replace Cotton Picker Spindles?

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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:

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!