Patent ID: 6094898
Filing Date: 2000-08-01
Classification: A01D

Abstract:
A stripper finger assembly for a cotton stripper capable of stripping cotton bolls from cotton plants planted in narrow row or broadcast configuration, the cotton plants having barked plant stalks which vary from a narrow diameter to a wide diameter greater than the narrow diameter, the finger assembly comprising:a support;a plurality of channel-shaped members carried by the support, the channel-shaped members having sides, the channel shaped members defining a preselected width and spaced to define first gaps through which the plant stalks with wide diameter can pass without substantial removal of the bark by the members;a plurality of plastic inserts having flexible outermost spaced edges and defining an insert width greater than the preselected width of the channel-shaped members;securing structures for mounting the plastic inserts on the channel-shaped members with the spaced edges extending outwardly from the sides of the members to provide effective finger gaps narrower than the first gaps for stripping cotton from plants with the narrow diameter stalks;wherein the inserts have sufficient flexibility to flex when the wide diameter plant stalks pass between the spaced edges thereby preventing barking of the wide diameter plant stalks; andwherein the securing structure includes angle members conforming generally to the channel-shaped members and positioning the plastic inserts on the channel-shaped members.