Abstract: A flexible insert for a cotton stripper finger assembly adapted for stripping cotton bolls from cotton plants planted in narrow row or broadcast configuration. The insert comprises a flexible plastic strip sandwiched between a conventional metal stripping finger and a metal hold-down member. The insert has edges extending outwardly from the metal stripping finger edges to reduce the effective width of the gap between fingers to more efficiently strip cotton bolls from cotton plants having relatively thin stalks. The portions of the insert which project beyond the metal stripping finger are sufficiently flexible to permit efficient stripping of cotton plants with thicker stalks. Since the effective gap width can change with changing plant conditions, the need to change gap-adjusting inserts is eliminated. The plastic material, which preferably is polyurethane having a durometer of approximately 93, resists sap build-up and improves cotton flow over the fingers.

Abstract: An improved lubrication system for the spindle bar assembly of a cotton harvester apparatus is disclosed. The system comprises a hydraulic pump connected to the hydraulic system of a harvester which pumps lubricant from a disposable cube of lubricant located on board the harvester into a manifold system having conduits in fluid communication with the existing lubrication system of the harvester, and a fluid restriction device disposed in line with the conduits to control the flow of lubricant to each spindle bar so that equal amounts of lubricant are provided thereto, notwithstanding differences in the lengths of the conduits.