Abstract: A cotton harvester row unit having an in-line drum arrangement and a door chamber cross section which remains generally constant from the rear structural post so that the suction door can be moved closer to the row centerline to narrow the overall width of the unit. The unit is sufficiently narrow that cotton in row spacings of less than 30 inches can be harvested. The new suction door location allows the cotton from the rear doffer to enter the door more directly. The row unit picker drums include picker bars with 14 or 16 spindles per bar to shorten the height and weight of the unit and permit use of shorter stalk lifters so that unit length is also reduced. A two-row tractor mounted picker utilizes the narrow row units mounted on a rail type of support system at the rear of a tractor. The units are laterally adjustable on rails for accommodating different row spacings and patterns, including 60 centimeter row spacings and 60-30 centimeter skip row spacings.

Abstract: A picker spindle is provided having a barb angle of about 50 degrees or less with respect to the spindle axis. A shallow land angle, substantially reduced compared with prior art spindles, and a short gullet area between barbs prevent tight winding of the cotton between barbs. A gentle slope is defined for sliding the cotton easily in the axial direction off the end of the spindle. Less force is needed to unwind the cotton and remove it from the spindle and, as a result, the cotton doffs easier and doffer life is increased. The interval between doffer adjustments is also lengthened.

Abstract: A deflector for directing the upper portion of tall cotton plants downwardly below the top of the cotton opening on a row unit of a cotton picker. A single sheet of metal includes a connecting portion having an upright slotted section which is bolted to unit at the top of the opening. An inclined portion extends downwardly and forwardly from the connecting portion to a rounded portion for gently urging the plant below the level of the uppermost row of spindles on the picker drum to prevent drum overloads. The inclined portion in combination with a relatively large radius of curvature of the crop contacting portion minimizes cotton loss and trash build-up.

Abstract: A moistener pad including two sets of apertures extending diagonally from corner to corner of the pad to define X-shaped pattern which provides a uniform distribution of moistening fluid to the fins. One set of apertures is located between a first set of adjacent pairs of fins, and the other set of apertures is located between a second set of adjacent pairs of fins.

Abstract: An improved picker bar assembly for a cotton harvester. The assembly includes a cast arm with an extension which is press fitted over a hollow aluminum picker bar. The extension projects downwardly into the picker bar drum head to provide the wear surface for the picker bar journal and to distribute a greater proportion of picker bar loading to the arm. The spindle drive shaft bearing is located in the cam arm rather than within the picker bar to thereby permit utilization of a larger and higher capacity bearing.

Abstract: A cotton harvester for mounting on a tractor or similar vehicle, wherein a transversely extending cross auger frame is supported by a lift frame assembly rearwardly of the rear tractor wheels. Individual cotton harvesting units are supported above the ground by the cross auger frame and include plant passages located generally rearwardly of the rear wheels. The lift frame assembly is pivotally connected to the tractor adjacent the rear axle and includes four-bar linkage structure for positioning the row units in the desired attitude as the cross auger frame is pivoted up and down. The linkage permits the row units to be positioned closely adjacent the rear wheels without interfering with them as the cross auger frame is raised or lowered. A cotton receiving basket is supported directly above the tractor.

Abstract: A cotton harvester with an offset head having four row units positioned for harvesting cotton planted in uniformly spaced narrow rows. The frame of the harvester is supported near its forward end by a pair of drive wheels adapted to run between two pairs of rows of cotton. The head is offset so that three rows of cotton are accommodated between the wheels and one row of cotton is accommodated outside one of the wheels. The machine drive and guide wheels can therefore be positioned between the rows for ease in steering and driving. A cotton basket on the harvester can be dumped toward the side which is unobstructed by a harvesting unit so the receiving implement can be positioned closer to the harvester and so the head which is offset in the opposite direction can act as a counterweight to balance the harvester as the basket is extended transversely for dumping.

Abstract: A support arrangement and discharge structure for individual picking units of a four-row cotton picker. The outboard picking units are transversely cantilevered from the inboard units using telescoping cross members which are adjustable to properly position the units for various row spacings. The cross members are tied between upper rigid beam structure on adjacent inboard and outboard units, the structure including an upper plate, cam support and transverse and fore-and-aft stiffeners. Each outboard unit includes a diagonal brace connected to the rigid beam structure to absorb fore-and-aft loading and thereby eliminate need for a lower stabilizer. Two high volume picker drums on adjacent inboard and outboard units are serviced by a single discharge structure supported from the inboard unit and connected to a single cotton conveying duct. A hinged baffle plate extends rearwardly from the outboard unit to the discharge structure, and pivots to permit the units to be adjusted with respect to each other.

Abstract: An agricultural harvesting machine having a plurality of independently supported row crop harvesting units is provided with a hydraulically operated vertical positioning mechanism for adjusting the height of the units in accordance with ground surface variations. Each unit is provided with a ground-engaging feeler mechanically coupled to a control valve which adjustably varies the hydraulic fluid flow to a single acting unit lift cylinder. The cylinder includes fluid bypass capabilities to permit continued hydraulic fluid flow upon full extension of the cylinder piston and thereby avoid a fluid system pressure and consequent temperature increase.