Cotton strippers equipped with field extractors have experienced a high incidence of fires in seed cotton. To help alleviate this problem the lay-down bar on the top saw cylinder of the field extractor has been replaced with a brush. There have been indications that the brush has been effective in reducing these fires, but its effect on cleaning efficiency and seed cotton has not been determined. This study was conducted to determine the effect on cleaning efficiency and seed cotton loss by replacing the lay-down bar on the top saw cylinder with a brush. Total foreign matter increased 11.9% when the brush was used while bur content increased 14.3%, stick content increased 22.6% and fine trash increased 6.2%. Seed cotton removed with foreign matter increased 41.5% when the brush was used. Replacing the lay-down bar with the brush had the greatest effect on sticks and the least effect on fine trash. The largest effect on foreign matter removal by weight was on burs with 32 lb/bale less burs being removed when the brush was used.