Abstract: A doffer assembly for a cotton harvester having at least one drum and a spindle. The doffer assembly includes an outer housing and a plurality of doffers adapted to remove cotton from the spindle. The assembly further includes a drive unit coupled to the outer housing for rotatably driving the plurality of doffers independently of at least one drum and spindle. A drive shaft is rotatably driven by the drive unit, and an interface adapter is coupled between the drive shaft and the plurality of doffers. The drive unit may be an electric motor, hydraulic motor, a mechanical drive system, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: A picking unit of a cotton harvester row unit includes a drum rotatable about an axis and a plurality of spindles for harvesting cotton. The plurality of spindles is coupled to the drum. A first drive unit rotatably drives the plurality of spindles. A second drive unit produces electrical power to drive a drive shaft. An output gear is coupled to the drive shaft, and a drum drive gear is coupled to the output gear. The drum drive gear rotatably drives the drum such that the output gear operably transfers power from the drive shaft to the drum drive gear. The drum is operably controlled independently of the plurality of spindles.

Abstract: A doffer adjustment device for a unit of a cotton harvester is disclosed. The unit includes a frame. A drum is rotatably coupled to the frame. A plurality of rows of spindles is rotatably coupled to the drum. A doffer column is rotatably coupled to the frame and configured to remove cotton from the spindles. The doffer adjustment device includes an adjusting member having a shaft portion and a wrench receiving portion. A locking device is coupled to the shaft portion. Wherein, the locking device is yieldable to an input causing rotation of the wrench receiving portion.

Abstract: A doffer adjustment device for a unit of a cotton harvester. The unit includes a frame. A drum is rotatably coupled to the frame. A plurality of rows of spindles is rotatably coupled to the drum. A doffer column is rotatably coupled to the frame and configured to remove cotton from the spindles. The doffer adjustment device includes an adjusting member having a shaft portion and a wrench receiving portion. A locking device is coupled to the shaft portion. Wherein, the locking device is yieldable to an input causing rotation of the wrench receiving portion.

Abstract: A picker spindle bar includes spindles oriented on the bar to offset the spindle picking ends relative to each other. In an exemplary embodiment, adjacent spindle axes are rotated six degrees relative to each other about the upright spindle drive shaft axis so that the picking ends of adjacent spindles are offset and enter the doffing zone at different times to reduce peak loads on the harvester row unit. The angled spindle configurations also space picking ends fore-and-aft in the picking zone and improve harvesting efficiency, especially where green bolls are present. The staggered spindle ends reduces cotton pinching in the picking, doffing and spindle wiping areas to thereby reduce row unit plugging.

Abstract: The invention provides a mechanical apparatus to assist cotton harvesters in suppressing in-row weed growth and/or feeding cotton into the row unit of the cotton harvester using a rotating weed reel. The weed reel comprises a frame assembly, a rotatable shaft coupled to the frame assembly, and protruding rods extending outwardly from the shaft so as to contact the ground between the in-row cotton plants and deflect weeds and debris out of a desired area.

Abstract: A tandem spindle drum row unit arrangement includes a rotary knife offset ahead of the forward drum to sever plants. A feeder rotor with fingers projecting through grid bar structure gently directs plants laterally into a standing row prior to substantial engagement by the spindles on the forward drum. Feeder column rotational speed is synchronized with ground speed. The knife, having a common axis with the rotor, operates at a higher speed for an efficient cut. The feeder column includes curved fingers which project through vertically spaced bars on a guard assembly to positively separate the plant from the fingers. The feeder column and rotary knife are driven through separate slip clutches. A kicker wheel between the drums moves plant material rearwardly.

Abstract: A narrow row harvesting unit for harvesting a crop planted in closely spaced rows. In a cotton picker, the crop removing portion of the unit includes a tandem drum arrangement. The unit includes first and second row receiving areas spaced on the order of twelve inches (30 cm) apart and separated by a narrow stalk lifter. The crop removing portion of the row unit provides transverse movement of a first row of the crop towards a second row of the crop behind the stalk lifter. In the cotton picker unit, a forward upright drum includes spindles projecting through a grid bar arrangement intercepting the first row of crop to move the plants laterally along grid bars into the main crop removing zone which is aligned with the second row. A cutter offset just ahead of the forward drum severs the plants in the first row, and a rotating column with plant engaging projections cooperates with the drum to direct the severed plants into the standing second row.

Abstract: Adjustable doffer structure for a cotton harvester row unit provides single wrench doffer adjustment without requiring loosening of a locking nut. The upper end of a doffer column bearing support includes a screw member threaded through an adjusting housing and projecting above the row unit housing. A Belleville spring is sandwiched between a locking nut threaded onto the upper end of the screw member and the adjusting housing. The nut and Belleville spring provide sufficient holding torque to maintain a given doffer adjustment during normal row unit operation, but the holding torque can be overridden with a wrench used to make the doffer adjustment. A locking plate is placed over the nut to maintain locking nut torque.

Abstract: A cotton harvester row unit attachment includes blade structure attached to the bearing cap at the lower end of the doffer for rotation about the doffer axis. The blade structure projects radially from the doffer axis a distance generally equal to the radius of the doffers and slices vines and other debris that find their way into the row unit housing adjacent the doffer to prevent plugging.

Abstract: The picker bar on a cotton harvester drum includes a lower bushing with a thrust surface added. The spindle drive shaft is drilled and tapped to receive a bolt inserted through the bottom of the picker bar. Bevel gear thrust loads are transferred through a thrust washer, secured by the bolt to the bottom of the drive shaft, to the lower bushing thereby eliminating need for a snap ring and snap ring groove at the top of the bar. The spur gear bending load at the top the bar is transferred through a large rigid gear section to the bearing at the top of the bar. The top bearing is supported closer to the gear load than in previous bars which utilize snap ring retention. The drive shaft, bevel gears, upper bearing and drive gear section are inserted as a single assembly into the upper end of the picker bar during manufacture.

Abstract: A system for mounting and supporting harvesting units on a forward end of a cotton harvester frame to allow them to be slidably moved relative to each other and laterally along an elongated tool bar structure. The tool bar structure is pivotally connected to the cotton harvester frame by a lift assembly. The harvesting units hang in a cantilevered fashion from and are independently connected at their rearward edges to the tool bar structure by a slide support structure which facilitates visibility of the harvesting units from a cab region of the harvester. The slide support structure maintains a non-rotatable and non-point contact relationship with laterally elongated generally flat support surfaces defined between opposite ends of the tool bar structure whereby substantial surface area contact is provided between each side support structure and the support surfaces on the tool bar structure.

Abstract: A drive mechanism for a picker rotor assembly of a cotton harvesting unit. The drive mechanism includes a bidirectional torque limiting mechanism operatively arranged between a rotor drive mechanism and the rotor assembly. The bidirectional torque limiting mechanism for applying a relatively low torque in a first rotational direction to the picker rotor assembly so as to inhibit damage thereto resulting from a chokage or jamming of the picker rotor assembly. The bidirectional torque limiting mechanism further applying a relatively high torque in a second or reverse rotational direction to the picker rotory assembly to facilitate removal of that which choked or stopped the rotor assembly.

Abstract: A multi-row cotton harvester machine having a plurality of harvesting units and a system for individually mounting the harvesting units at a front end of the cotton harvester. The mounting system includes a tool bar which is adapted for vertical movement with respect to the frame of the harvesting machine. The harvesting units are individually connected to the tool bar in a manner allowing the harvesting units to be readily moved relative to each other between a first position wherein the units are arranged to effect narrow row cotton harvesting and a second position wherein the harvesting units are further spaced apart to provide access for servicing or to effect wider row cotton harvesting operations.

Abstract: Self-adjusting supporting structure for positioning an upright column of doffer pads automatically with respect to corresponding rows of spindles in a cotton harvester row unit. A tapered roller bearing assembly supporting the doffer column includes an externally threaded housing threaded into an internally threaded adjuster housing support mounted on the row unit. The drag of the roller bearings is adjustable, and under normal operation of the row unit the drag force tends to thread the bearing assembly upwardly. However, this force is opposed by an opposite force caused by the weight of the doffer assembly which tends to thread the assembly downwardly to move the doffer pads closer to the spindles.

Abstract: An improved picker bar assembly for a cotton harvester includes a thin cylindrical sleeve which is pressed onto the upper end of the picker bar. The sleeve has an inner diameter which is smaller than the outer diameter of the upper end, a lower portion defining the journal area between the picker bar and the picker drum head, and an upper area which mounts the cam arm. The sleeve increases the shear and bending strength and fatigue life of the upper portion of the picker bar, particularly adjacent the grease hole which communicates lubricant between the hollow interior of the picker bar and the journal area.

Abstract: A cotton harvester and picker unit is provided for the harvesting of narrow spaced row cotton. The cotton harvester is provided with novel picker units which overlap one another to reduce the total lateral width of the cotton harvester. The inventive harvesting units are also elongated in the direction of the travel to reduce the transverse width. The picker units also have a composite post assembly, compressor sheet and plant lifter which allows for quick disassembly without hand or power tools. Removal of the front post assembly provides easier access to the rotors for maintenance or removal of chokes.

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 grease reservoir is provided for the wear surfaces between a cotton harvester picker bar and its journal support in the picker drum. The reservoir is formed by upper and lower resilient seals acting to retain grease within the wear area and prevent entry of contamination into the reservoir area. A grease repository is further provided at the upper portion of the reservoir to assure lubrication of the vertical wear surfaces during harvesting operations and to extend periods between required maintenance.

Abstract: A cotton harvester and picker unit is provided for the harvesting of narrow spaced row cotton. The cotton harvester is provided with novel picker units which overlap one another to reduce the total lateral width of the cotton harvester. The inventive harvesting units are also elongated in the direction of the travel to reduce the transverse width. The picker units also have a composite post assembly, compressor sheet and plant lifter which allows for quick disassembly without hand or power tools. Removal of the front post assembly provides easier access to the rotors for maintenance or removal of chokes.