Factors Influencing Cotton Stripper Performance

ABSTRACT SPACING between stripping rolls, plant size, and plant moisture content effects on cotton harvest losses and vegetative foreign material were investigated. Total harvest loss was not affected by plant size, but increased when spacing between stripping rolls widened. Stick content in harvested cotton increased when branch moisture decreased and plant height increased; however, increased spacing between stripping rolls lowered stick content. Fine foreign material was not significantly affected by branch moisture content, plant size, or spacing between stripping rolls. Spacing between stripping rolls was the most important variable in explaining total harvest loss. Cumulative rainfall between the first freezing temperature and harvest was the most important parameter for predicting quantity of sticks in harvested cotton.