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.

The article describes the influence of factors as a suction and injection method of transporting raw cotton from a harvesting machine to the mechanical damage of cotton seeds. The influence of the rotation speed and design of the fan impeller, as well as the width of the working slit of the harvesting apparatus on the formation of an undesirable defect, that is, mechanical damage to cotton seeds are examined. Recommendations are proposed to reduce the mechanical damage to cotton seeds. Rotating the spindle together with the drum, the cotton is transported to the pick-up area, where due to the spindle reversal due to the epicycle mechanism of its drive, the bulk of the cotton is inertia (up to 75-80%) discharged from the spindle surface, and part of the cotton windings is removed by brush pullers rotating in the same direction ( while the linear speed of the brushes is 4 times greater than the peripheral speed of the spindle) and under the action of centrifugal force, the cotton from the surface of the puller is dumped into the slotted receiving chamber of the harvester apparatus.

The article presents the methods for calculating the pressure loss of the pneumatic transport system of a cotton harvester related to the power consumption of the fan drive. Mathematical models for computer calculation are presented. Numerical studies of the influence of the pipeline diameter and the air mixture composition on the power consumption of the fan drive are presented. It was determined that with an increase in the diameter of the pipeline from 0.15 m to 0.175 m and a change in the mixture concentration μ = 0.228 ÷ 0.338 for a serial receiving chamber, the fan drive power decreases from 10.3 kW to 5.79 kW.