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Crucial Role For Ginner
 Cotton breeders have continued to develop new cotton
varieties with improved quality, and the ginner plays an important
role in preserving the quality during ginning, cleaning and
baling. To mainain quality, a ginner must monitor and adjust
moisture throughout the ginning process, keep equipment properly
adjusted and well maintained, and provide only the cleaning
needed to meet market demands.
Moisture management is critical to cotton cleaning, handling
and fiber quality preservation at the gin. Moisture has an effect
on color, leaf and staple. Cotton with too high of a moisture
content will not easily separate into single locks but will form
wads that may choke and damage gin machinery or entirely stop
the ginning process.
Moisture Management
The effort required to measure and control moisture will pay
dividends in gin operation efficiency and market value of the
cotton. Research has shown that six to seven percent moisture
content allows for sufficient cleaning with minimal fiber
damage. Managing cotton moisture content during ginning is a
difficult task.
Too often, cotton is over dried (below five percent), and additional moisture is needed. Cotton bales should not exceed
7.5 percent moisture content.
Important Maintenance
A good maintenance program minimizes downtime, reduces
fiber losses and can improve quality. Gin stands should be kept
within a manufacturer’s recommended specifications. Gin saws
should be replaced on a timely basis, and doffing systems should
be kept in good condition. In summary, evaluate the quality of
your gin’s output to make sure you are doing the most for your
customer – the mill. Do only the drying and cleaning that are in
the producer’s best interest and keep updated on the market
needs and aim for those targets. |
