Cotton conditioner for a cotton harvester

Abstract

A conditioning mechanism is placed forwardly of the cotton harvesting mechanism on a cotton harvester. Opposing elements compress portions of the cotton plant to compress the cotton bolls and deform the cotton boll hulls. The deformation loosens the cotton fiber relative to the hulls to improve the ability of the harvesting mechanism to harvest the seed and fiber. In one embodiment, differential surface velocity of the opposing elements improves boll opening and fiber orientation for more effective spindle contact.

Description

technical field [0001] This invention relates generally to cotton harvesters and, more precisely, to a structure which enhances the performance of cotton harvester apparatus for harvesting cotton fibers and cotton seeds from cotton plants. Background technique [0002] Cotton fibers are contained within cotton bolls, and each fiber is attached to one of several seeds in the boll, which opens to expose the fibers as the boll matures. The seeds are retained in the cavity formed by the opened boll or husk. [0003] Various types of cotton harvesting equipment include mechanisms for contacting and extracting the cotton seeds and cotton fibers from the cotton plants. Harvesting efficiency depends on the ability of the mechanism to remove the seeds and fibers from the opened bolls, which, in turn, depends on the degree to which the seeds and fibers are attached to the cotton bolls. Harvesting efficiency is greatly reduced if the fibers and seeds are tightly b...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

Fiber orientation also affects separation efficiency, if the fibers are not exposed satisfactorily, then the ability of the harvesting mechanism to reach and remove the fibers is reduced

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