Influence of Grid Bar Shape on Field Cleaner Performance – Field TestingAuthors:
John D. Wanjura, Gary R. Gamble, Gregory A. Holt, and Mathew G. Pelletier
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A field study was conducted to evaluate the influence of grid bar cross sectional shape on cotton stripper field cleaner performance in terms of cleaning efficiency, seed cotton loss, and fiber and yarn quality. Three field cleaner configurations were tested on the same cotton stripper and included a production model John Deere 7460 field cleaner with 1) round cross section grid bars installed around both saws (FC1), 2) round grid bars installed around the top saw and experimental grid bars with a flat approach and angled relief installed around the bottom saw (FC2), and 3) experimental grid bars with a flat approach and 38.1 mm straight relief installed around both saws (FC3). Two additional harvest treatments were tested which included the same cotton stripper with the field cleaner bypassed (NFC) and a spindle picker harvester (picked). Four cotton cultivars were used in the study to investigate differences in field cleaner performance across varying crop conditions. Results indicate that FC1 and FC2 had equal cleaning efficiencies but seed cotton loss was higher for FC2. FC3 had the poorest cleaning efficiency but the lowest seed cotton loss of the field cleaner configurations tested. Differences in fiber and yarn properties were primarily observed between picker and stripper harvest methods. Minimal differences were observed between cotton stripper harvest treatments with or without the field cleaner for fiber and yarn quality parameters.