Schweizer-Reneke is known for its excellent climate that fits cotton farming like a glove but cotton growers have almost disappeared from the region, some reasons being wage increases plus more demanding labour laws. A cotton grower traditionally needs many labourers.  Simultaneously the South African textile industry, since a decade ago, ran into hard times resulting in the demand for cotton to drop drastically.

This, however, has changed rather rapidly. Environmentally friendly natural fibres, such as cotton, suddenly again became the fashion rage, a phenomenon mirrored by commodity prices. Equipment manufacturer John Deere joined the positive environment for cotton by designing two revolutionary machines which, apart from other advantages for the farmer, cuts his labour requirements for the harvesting process from ten workers to two.

In the Schweizer-Reneke region four farmers consequently decided recently to give cotton growing another go. They wanted to do everything one hundred percent correct and each planted 300 ha with the latest cultivar. They further decided to apply the latest technology, clubbed together and bought a new John Deere CS690 cotton combine. The crop shows excellent promise and it could just be that their decision will put the cotton farming gear into overdrive.

John Deere joined in and organised a cotton day at Schweizer-Reneke. Farmers, agents, representatives, processors and all other interested parties were invited to attend and meet with the latest developments in the cotton industry. Estimators reckon there will be an excellent crop this year. The new John Deere CS690 stripper combine was also there, showing off its prowess getting the crop off the land at a fast and furious pace.

Philip du Plessis, John Deere Regional Manager, discussed technical aspects of cotton harvesting. “There is a move afield away from old-fashioned machinery and a combine harvester has become a long term investment. A farmer needs to make a wise decision before he dips deeply into his pocket. The first factor influencing this decision is whether the farmer plants dryland cotton or cotton under overhead irrigation. Irrigated cotton yields more than 4 ton/ha and the grower will then prefer the cotton harvester picker combine as a picker can deal with larger volumes. For a dryland grower a stripper combine will be the obvious choice.

Picker versus stripper

A picker is a machine which fastidiously picks the cotton balls only from the plant, delivering a very a clean product. A cotton stripper, on the other hand, strips everything from the plant and leaves the cleaning-up of the product to the cotton mill. The only difference between a picker and a stripper is in the front half of the machine – behind the pipe which sucks the harvested product to the reservoir they appear similar.

John Deere’s CS690 stripper has a 13.5 litre engine complying with level four emission standards. This means that the farmer should be very careful with the quality of the diesel he will use. The CP690 picker also has a 13.5 litre engine and is available with a level 2 engine for easier performance under African conditions.

The machine simply does all the work and that is why John Deere’s strippers and pickers are so successful. As the product reservoir fills up the bale is immediately formed and pushed out to the bailing area. This means that the bailing area is not working continuously, resulting in significant power saving. The bailing room is then opened so that the bale can be wrapped before being placed on the handling arm. The wrapped bale can then be dropped at any spot in the land, or be transported to where it is stored to limit traffic in the fields.

At the forefront with technology

John Deere’s cotton tables are available for six and eight rows in row widths of 76, 91, 96 and 100 cm. The table is fitted with variable hydraulic drive enabling it to work faster or slower depending on the load. A Manual RowSense^TM function takes control to follow the cotton rows should a farmer not utilise the Precision Ag.

Internally the CS690 stripper and CP690 picker have also been improved tremendously. The new machines have a 10% higher flow-through capacity and 8% better cleaning action resulting in 8% more money in your pocket after your cotton has been processed by the ginning mill. The 690 models are between 30% and 100% more productive and simultaneously less labour intensive compared with previous models such as the 7460.

Physical gear changing is also something of the past. Electronic gear changing, by pressing a button on the console, means that the combine can work continuously with no stoppages. The machines can, in fact, run non-stop for twelve hours without an oil or fuel break.

Philip says: “There are options for integrated cameras in the combine’s belly which can help the operator to detect fire much quicker; also a built-in emergency procedure than can bind and eject a burning bale much quicker to limit damage.”

Philip recommends farmers to use only genuine John Deere spare parts in their cotton combines. “Genuine John Deere spare parts are available – however, cheaper pirate parts also. We have experienced many problems with pirate fingers on the table. The pitch of the gears did not correspond with the real McCoy; consequently the finger axle was damaged and the complete axle had to be replaced; not only a finger or two. The genuine John Deere fingers also pick much cleaner than the pirate substitutes.”

After working 800 to 1 000 hectares the picker heads should be serviced. At present the best method is to check the lower third of the picker fingers, replace as necessary and move them to the top. It is also recommended that dealers invest in combing roll grinders so that they can grind (sharpen) combing rollers during the course of the season.

Pleasing farmers and millers

For the farmer the round, encapsulated bales are a welcome boon. Gone are the days when wind shared in the crop by ripping away the loose cotton in the transferring process to the container and passing this loss to settle on the fence marking the land’s end in no uncertain manner with a white ribbon. The processing link where the cotton is transported to the bale press in the store can now be eliminated. Today one labourer is required to harvest and another to pick up the bale with the tele-handler and load it on the truck for direct transport to the mill. Instead of ten labourers a farmer can now make do with two only.

Vaalharts Cotton Mills is also impressed with the results of the new generation John Deere pickers and strippers. Previously the bales or the contents of the baskets were offloaded and covered or stored under-roof, creating a big demand for storing facilities. The new round bales are already compressed and waterproof-wrapped, making it much easier, quicker and less labour intensive to feed the hungry mouth of the mill.

Order your harvester combine from your nearest John Deere dealer or visit www.deere.com/sub-sahara/ for more information.