ABSTRACT

This study evaluated the Continental Eagle version of the ARS-developed louvers for saw-type lint cleaners in a commercial gin plant to determine the subsequent impact on fiber quality at the gin and mill levels. The study was conducted without regard as to whether the cotton was sufficiently clean after the gin stand to warrant a reduced number of grid bars. Sixteen bales of cotton, eight from each of two varieties, were processed through a Continental Eagle Model 24D lint cleaner equipped with eight automated louvers to allow from one to eight grid bars to be used; however, the two treatments used in this experiment were two and eight grid bars. Samples from each replication were analyzed for moisture, market classification, fiber length distribution, neps, trash, dust, foreign matter, and other factors. The fiber was spun at the Cotton Quality Research Station, Clemson, SC. The test cotton contained about 10% foreign matter before gin processing and was Low Middling color after gin processing. Mote weight at the gin averaged 6.0 and 11.5 pounds per bale for the two and eight grid bar treatments, respectively, for a savings of 5.5 pounds per bale or over $3.00. Spinning performance did not differ except for the impact of different trash levels in the bale. Thus the number of grid bars used at the gin should be selected based on the trash level in the ginned lint in order to assure optimum mill performance. In general, the number of grid bars significantly impacted only the trash-related variables at both the gin and mill.