The Effects of Three Module Types on Cotton Ginning and Fiber Quality

Traditionally seed cotton has been stored in modules from the time it was harvested until it was ginned. These modules have been formed using additional equipment and operators. In an effort to improve the efficiency of cotton production by reducing the number of operators and equipment, two newer harvesters have been introduced which form modules on the harvester. These modules are smaller than the traditional modules, one being an approximately half-sized rectangular module and the other having a round cross section holding approximately one fourth the seed cotton of a traditional module. Data and samples were obtained at seven gins located in four states to determine if significant problems in ginning were related to the newer modules. Cotton degradation was observed when loose seed cotton was placed at the ends of modules and when modules were