The paper provides the study and substantiation of the parameters of semi-hitched spindle cotton harvesters during one-time cotton-picking. A calculation scheme for the spindle interaction with an open cotton boll in the “cylinder-deformable ball” form was proposed. A mathematical model to change the distance between oppositely located spindle drums in the working chamber and a method to calculate the indentation of the boll contact on the spindle of a vertical-spindle picking apparatus were obtained. The model made it possible to calculate the rational technological parameters of the device and machine. Kinematic functioning parameters of vertical-and horizontal-spindle picking devices were specified, taking into account their installation on a semi-hitched cotton harvester. The obtained data were used to create machines for a one-time cotton-picking.

This article provides a calculation of the performance of cotton harvesters. The previously proposed models of cotton-harvesting machines are described, as well as new developed models are offered. Based on a numerical study, a comparative analysis of MX-1.8 vertically spindle cotton harvesters and Keys 2022 horizontally spindle cotton harvesters is provided. The influence of the parameters of the cotton harvesters on their productivity is determined.

The article is devoted to the development of a special simulation bench installation for studying the quality of the centrifugal fan used in the suction -blower pneumatic transport system of modern vertical -spindle cotton pickers. The principle of operation of a production structure of a pneumatic transport system with a lateral elliptical inlet of the fan casing is described based on a known technical solution. In order to determine the optimal location of the lateral elliptical suction channel of the fan casing, a stand was created that includes a centrifugal fan mounted on a frame and receiving movement by means of a belt drive from an electric motor. Four different positions of the ellipsoidal inlet and one central side connection of the air intake to the fan casing were tested on the bench. Based on the experiments carried out using a given amount of transported cotton, the performance of the fan was determined with the least damage to the seeds.

Harvesting machines of modern cotton pickers are equipped with spindle drums, making rotational movements against the direction of machine motion. To ensure the natural position of the bushes with bolls in the working area of the vertical spindle apparatus, the linear speeds of the spindle centers on the drums advance the speed of the machine. The aim of the paper is to develop a methodology for calculating the lead coefficient depending on the parameters of the drum, spindle, its activity, and frontal location, where the active surface of the spindle should be located opposite the cotton plant. Specific recommendations are given for calculating the operating modes of a cotton picker.

This article provides a versatile suction air intake chamber for vertical and horizontal spindle cotton pickers. The results of field tests using the new universal receiving chambers are presented. The results of field tests showed that the use of the new universal intake chambers reduced the power loss on the fan drive by 1.8 … 2 times compared to the Case-2022 horizontal spindle machine. For the MX-1.8 vertical cotton picker, the weediness of raw cotton was reduced by 1.0-3.0% and crushed seeds by 1.35 times compared to serial receiving chambers.