Patent ID: 6408605
Filing Date: 2002-06-25
Classification: A01D

Abstract:
A row unit movable in a forward direction for simultaneously picking cotton from at least two parallel side by side rows of cotton plants, the rows of cotton plants being spaced a predetermined distance apart in a transverse direction relative to the forward direction, the row unit comprising:a unitary housing having a forward end and an opposite rearward end, the unitary housing containing at least one element disposed between and defining two plant row channels extending forwardly to rearwardly through the housing at locations spaced apart in the transverse direction by an amount about equal to the predetermined distance for simultaneous passage of the at least two side by side rows of cotton plants through the row channels, respectively; and at least two picker rotors located within the unitary housing adjacent to the plant row channels therethrough, respectively, each of the picker rotors being located across the adjacent plant row channel from the at least one element and mounted for rotation about a generally upright axis and including members which extend into the adjacent plant row channel for picking cotton from the cotton plants passing therethrough as the picker rotor is rotated, each of the picker rotors being positioned and having a predetermined extent in the traverse direction which is sufficient such that the members extend substantially across the adjacent plant row channel so as to be capable of picking cotton from portions of the cotton plants passing therethrough adjacent to the at least one element defining the channel, the at least one element disposed between and defining the two plant row channels being sufficiently narrow in the transverse direction such that the amount the two plant row channels are spaced apart in the traverse direction is less than the predetermined extent of one of the picker rotors.