Choosing the right cotton picker or stripper depends on the climate and size of the field. Pickers are preferred in most climates as they only remove the cotton bolls, while strippers are better for short harvest seasons and hot, dry climates. Efficiency, operation, and ancillary equipment should also be considered.
Up until the mid-20th century, the process of picking cotton was quite labor intensive. With the invention of the first commercial cotton-picking machines in the 1920s, farmers were able to shorten harvest times, reduce labor costs, and achieve higher profits. When choosing a cotton picker, start by narrowing your search based on the climate in your region. This will help you decide whether you need a cotton picker that picks only the plant bolls, or a stripper that strips the plant bare. Once you’ve decided between these two core technologies, consider characteristics such as speed, operation, and the number of files each machine is designed to fetch simultaneously.
In most climates where cotton is grown, farmers should choose a cotton picker over a stripper. The pickers only remove the cotton bolls from the plant, leaving the leaves and other structures intact. This allows the machine to make more passes through the field each season, removing more cotton as it is produced.
Those who live in areas with a very short harvest season may benefit from a cotton stripper. This machine not only strips and collects the cotton boll but also the leaves and other components, leaving only the bare stems behind. It can only be used once a season and is the cotton picker of choice in hot, dry climates like Texas and Oklahoma.
Typically, a cotton puller is faster than a cotton picker and can pick up more rows at a time. While pickers can clean one to two rows at a time, a stripper can clear up to four, depending on the model. Buyers should be aware, however, that while the cotton picker is self-propelled, the cotton picking machine must be pulled by a tractor or other agricultural equipment.
When selecting a cotton picker or stripper, farmers should choose a machine that maximizes efficiency based on the size of their cotton fields. Buyers with multiple fields may want to choose a machine that can clear four rows at once, while those with relatively small crops can settle for a single-row model. It’s also helpful to evaluate how each car is being used and what kind of fuel it requires.
In addition to studying the cotton picker itself, farmers should also consider what types of ancillary equipment are required to operate the machine. For example, some pickers pack cotton while others don’t. Cotton strippers may require a separate processing module to separate leaves and other unwanted materials from the cotton.
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