Abstract: A spindle cleaning assembly for a harvesting unit of a cotton harvesting work vehicle is disclosed. The spindle cleaning assembly includes a fluid nozzle, and a fluid distributor configured to receive fluid from the fluid nozzle. The fluid distributor defining an interior distribution chamber disposed about a longitudinal axis. The interior distribution chamber is defined at least in part by an impingement plate at which the fluid nozzle is configured to spray a fluid. The impingement plate having raised flow dividers angularly spaced about the longitudinal axis to distribute the fluid radially outward to an array of outlet openings. The spindle cleaning assembly further includes distributor tubes attached to the fluid distributor, one at each of the outlet openings, and a column of applicator pads carried by the housing panel to be spaced apart along the housing panel and receive fluid from the fluid distributor through the distributor tubes.

Abstract: A spindling cleaning assembly for a harvesting unit of a cotton harvesting work vehicle is disclosed. The spindling cleaning assembly includes a housing panel configured to pivot relative to a housing of the harvesting unit about a pivot axis, a fluid assembly having distributor tubes carried by the housing panel, and a column of applicator pads carried by the housing panel and spaced apart along the pivot axis. The applicator pads receive fluid from the fluid assembly through the distributor tubes. The spindling cleaning assembly further includes a mounting assembly having a mounting bracket coupled to the housing of the harvesting unit and a spring configured to allow the housing panel to move along the pivot axis relative to the mounting bracket and housing of the harvesting unit.

Abstract: An applicator pad for a cotton harvesting spindle is disclosed. The applicator pad comprises a pad body with a leading side and a leading end defining a leading corner at which the cotton harvesting spindle first encounters the pad body during operation. The pad body includes an output face with contact features projecting away from the output face and an input face opposite the output face. The input face defines a fluid channel including an oblique channel segment extending from the central region to proximate the leading corner, a lateral channel segment extending from proximate the leading corner along the leading end, and a longitudinal channel segment extending from proximate the leading corner along the leading side. The fluid channel defines through openings within the lateral channel segment and the longitudinal channel segment that are configured to direct the fluid from the input side to the output side.

Abstract: A picking unit for a cotton harvester includes a first rotating picking drum having a first plurality of rotating picker spindles, a first pressure plate mounted on a first hinge and configured to pivot with respect to the first rotating picking drum, a first plurality of torsion springs configured to apply a biasing force on the first pressure plate. Each spring of the first plurality of torsion springs includes a first end connected to the first hinge and a second end in contact with the first pressure plate, and an actuator configured to vary the biasing force applied by the first plurality of torsion springs by rotating the first hinge.

Abstract: Roll assemblies for cotton harvesters and associated methods are disclosed. Example roll assemblies may include a unitary component that defines a plurality of slots. Bats and brushes may be removably retained within the slots. The unitary component may include a plurality of lobes with the plurality of slots defined therebetween. A central passage may be formed in a central portion of the unitary component. A shaft having an interlocking shape may be removably received within the central passage. In some implementations, one or more lobes are removably securable to the unitary component. End caps may be received onto the shaft and positioned adjacent to ends of the unitary component to assist in retaining the bats and brushes to the unitary component.

Abstract: Roll assemblies for cotton harvesters and associated methods are disclosed. Example roll assemblies may include a unitary component that defines a plurality of slots. Bats and brushes may be removably retained within the slots. The unitary component may include a plurality of lobes with the plurality of slots defined therebetween. A central passage may be formed in a central portion of the unitary component. A shaft having an interlocking shape may be removably received within the central passage. In some implementations, one or more lobes are removably securable to the unitary component. End caps may be received onto the shaft and positioned adjacent to ends of the unitary component to assist in retaining the bats and brushes to the unitary component.