An agricultural vehicle for picking or harvesting a product includes a motor, a plurality of tires, a transmission mating the motor to the plurality of tires, an accumulator operable to store the product, a module builder operable to receive the product from the accumulator, and a frame supporting the accumulator and the module builder. The frame defines a hatch through which an operator is capable of accessing the motor and/or the transmission. The agricultural vehicle is operable to transition between a first state and a second state. In the first state, the module builder and the accumulator prohibit access through the hatch. In the second state, the module builder and the accumulator are rotated relative to the frame and provide access through the hatch.

An agricultural vehicle for picking or harvesting a product includes a motor, a plurality of tires, a transmission mating the motor to the plurality of tires, an accumulator operable to store the product, a module builder operable to receive the product from the accumulator, and a frame supporting the accumulator and the module builder. The frame defines a hatch through which an operator is capable of accessing the motor and/or the transmission. The agricultural vehicle is operable to transition between a first state and a second state. In the first state, the module builder and the accumulator prohibit access through the hatch. In the second state, the module builder and the accumulator are rotated relative to the frame and provide access through the hatch.

Improved doffer discs for spindle-type cotton picker harvesters providing reduced vibration, increased wear resistance, and more efficient doffing are disclosed. Doffer lugs having an asymmetric profile, with an essentially perpendicular leading face and sloped trailing face provide more aggressive and efficient doffing, reduced wear and vibration, and increased yields. Use of a loop having a concave rim provides improved stiffness, reducing flexing and vibration. Several embodiments for use with row units from major equipment manufacturers are described.

Improved doffer discs for spindle-type cotton picker harvesters providing reduced vibration, increased wear resistance, and more efficient doffing are disclosed. Doffer lugs having an asymmetric profile, with an essentially perpendicular leading face and sloped trailing face provide more aggressive and efficient doffing, reduced wear and vibration, and increased yields. Use of a loop having a concave rim provides improved stiffness, reducing flexing and vibration. Several embodiments for use with row units from major equipment manufacturers are described.

A method for manufacturing a moistener column assembly for a row unit of an agricultural header includes forming a moistener column of the moistener column assembly via an additive manufacturing process. The moistener column includes an inlet region configured to receive fluid while installed on the row unit. The moistener column includes a body formed via the additive manufacturing process that extends from the inlet region. The inlet region is disposed on a first end of the body and includes a fluid passages formed via the additive manufacturing process that extend through the body to fluid outlets formed via the additive manufacturing process. Each of the fluid passages is configured to receive the fluid from the inlet region and to expel the fluid through a respective fluid outlet of the fluid outlets.

A method for manufacturing a moistener column assembly for a row unit of an agricultural header includes forming a moistener column of the moistener column assembly via an additive manufacturing process. The moistener column includes an inlet region configured to receive fluid while installed on the row unit. The moistener column includes a body formed via the additive manufacturing process that extends from the inlet region. The inlet region is disposed on a first end of the body and includes a fluid passages formed via the additive manufacturing process that extend through the body to fluid outlets formed via the additive manufacturing process. Each of the fluid passages is configured to receive the fluid from the inlet region and to expel the fluid through a respective fluid outlet of the fluid outlets.

A spindle assembly includes a spindle nut having a cylindrically shaped bore and a threaded portion that engages a threaded opening in a cotton picker bar. The spindle assembly further includes a first friction reducing element disposed in the cylindrically shaped bore, a cotton picking member. The cotton picking member includes a barbed end, an engaging end, and a cylindrically shaped shaft located between the barbed end and the engaging end. A drive member includes a receiving end that receives the engaging end of the cotton-picking member and a geared end that engages a gear on a driveshaft in the cotton picker bar. The cylindrically shaped shaft includes a surface rotatably supported within the first friction reducing element.

A spindle assembly includes a spindle nut having a cylindrically shaped bore and a threaded portion that engages a threaded opening in a cotton picker bar. The spindle assembly further includes a first friction reducing element disposed in the cylindrically shaped bore, a cotton picking member. The cotton picking member includes a barbed end, an engaging end, and a cylindrically shaped shaft located between the barbed end and the engaging end. A drive member includes a receiving end that receives the engaging end of the cotton-picking member and a geared end that engages a gear on a driveshaft in the cotton picker bar. The cylindrically shaped shaft includes a surface rotatably supported within the first friction reducing element.

A picking unit for a cotton harvester includes a first rotating picking drum having a first plurality of rotating picker spindles, a first pressure plate mounted on a first hinge and configured to pivot with respect to the first rotating picking drum, a first plurality of torsion springs configured to apply a biasing force on the first pressure plate. Each spring of the first plurality of torsion springs includes a first end connected to the first hinge and a second end in contact with the first pressure plate, and an actuator configured to vary the biasing force applied by the first plurality of torsion springs by rotating the first hinge.

A picking unit for a cotton harvester includes a first rotating picking drum having a first plurality of rotating picker spindles, a first pressure plate mounted on a first hinge and configured to pivot with respect to the first rotating picking drum, a first plurality of torsion springs configured to apply a biasing force on the first pressure plate. Each spring of the first plurality of torsion springs includes a first end connected to the first hinge and a second end in contact with the first pressure plate, and an actuator configured to vary the biasing force applied by the first plurality of torsion springs by rotating the first hinge.