Abstract: A cotton harvester basket structure includes a closure section connected to a rigid basket by a flexible material such as canvas above and rearwardly of the cotton compacting structure. As the basket is filled, the pressure from the cotton pushes the closure section up to provide only as much volume as necessary to accommodate the added volume of cotton after the basket fills to its normal capacity. Hinged side brackets help guide the lid section during the basket expansion and provide lid section stability, both in the lateral and fore-and-aft directions. After the cotton in the basket is unloaded, the lid automatically returns under the influence of gravity to its lowermost position.

Abstract: A cotton basket is pivotally connected to a harvester frame for rocking about a fore-and-aft extending axis located a substantial distance above the basket floor on the side of the basket opposite the dump side. Simple single beam mast structures at the front and rear ends of the basket replace more conventional and massive multi-element mast structures typical in previously available harvesters. Cylinders connected near the center of gravity at the basket ends rock the basket upwardly and outwardly about the axis to a position above the wagon or module builder. The pivot angle through which the basket is rocked is substantially less than 30 degrees for minimal shifting of the center of gravity during dumping. Dump height is controlled by cylinder extension. The main conveyor floor has front and rear conveyors which move cotton to an independently controlled conveyor built into a fold-down door. The door conveyor can be emptied independently of the main conveyor operation for a partial dump.