Abstract: A row unit for an agricultural machine includes a frame, a floor, and a subassembly discrete from the frame and the floor. The subassembly is configured to be coupled to the floor and the frame and positioned within the frame during operation of the row unit. The subassembly includes a cam-plate including a top side, a bottom side, and a cam-track defined in the bottom side. The subassembly also includes a drum; a plurality of picker-bars coupled to the drum, and a linkage assembly including a first end coupled to the picker-bar and a second end coupled to a roller positioned in the cam-track. The subassembly is assembled prior to being positioned in the frame.

Abstract: To reduce destructive effects of cotton picker high speed drum rotation, rearward spindle tip motion is adjusted in part by angularly positioning the spindles in the picking zone with an improved cam track arrangement. The cam rotates the picker bar about the upright axis of the bar to vary the speed of the spindle tip in the picking zone and allow a higher drum speed. In a first portion of the picking zone the spindle tips are closer together than the spindle bases at the picker bar. The spindle tip spacing in a second portion of the picking zone is approximately equal to spindle base spacing in the extremities. The resulting spindle tip movement facilitates higher cotton picker vehicle ground speed without picking efficiency loss or additional damage to the cotton plants.

Abstract: To reduce destructive effects of cotton picker high speed drum rotation, rearward spindle tip motion is adjusted in part by angularly positioning the spindles in the picking zone with an improved cam track arrangement. The cam rotates the picker bar about the upright axis of the bar to vary the speed of the spindle tip in the picking zone and allow a higher drum speed. In a first portion of the picking zone the spindle tips are closer together than the spindle bases at the picker bar. The spindle tip spacing in a second portion of the picking zone is approximately equal to spindle base spacing in the extremities. The resulting spindle tip movement facilitates higher cotton picker vehicle ground speed without picking efficiency loss or additional damage to the cotton plants.

Abstract: A row unit is provided which utilizes a relatively large front drum, such as a 16-bar drum and a smaller rear drum, such as a 12-bar drum. The front drum is first to contact the cotton plant and as a result picks more cotton than the rear drum. The large 16-bar drum operates with relatively low cam roller and bar loads and therefore is capable of higher speeds. A new rear drum cam orients the picker bars in such a manner as to reduce cam roller and bar loads without noticeably sacrificing picking efficiency and permits the rear drum to also operate at higher speeds. Faster ground speeds are achieved without significant increases in critical component loads. In another aspect of the invention, the axis of one of the drum cams is angled from the normal straight ahead configuration to facilitate drum placement and minimize additional row unit width. The drums are operated in an inline configuration to pick cotton from one side only of the row so that narrow row harvesting is facilitated.