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ARS Home » Plains Area » Lubbock, Texas » Cropping Systems Research Laboratory » Cotton Production and Processing Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #223628
Title: Power roll 2007: A five year summary

Author
item ASKEW, JAMES - SERVICO, INC.
item Holt, Gregory

Submitted to: National Cotton Council Beltwide Cotton Conference
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/8/2008
Publication Date: 1/8/2008
Citation: Askew, J., Holt, G.A. 2008. Power roll 2007: A five year summary. In: Proceedings of the Beltwide Cotton Conferences, January 8-11, 2008, Nashville, TN. p. 681-688. 2008 CDROM.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The powered roll gin stand (PRT – Powered Roll Technology) was first tested in a field application on seed cotton during the 2002 ginning season at Servico, Inc., Courtland Alabama. During the 2003 season, Servico installed and operated PRT stands in all three lines. In subsequent years, mechanical improvements have been made to the stands, improving their mechanical integrity and performance. In addition to maintaining the excellent gin turnout gains and fiber quality characteristics obtained in 2002 and 2003, the PRT stands have proven to be highly beneficial from a production standpoint as well. Average daily gin production rates increased from 631 to 775 bales per day from the 2002 to the 2007 gin seasons, respectively. Additionally, gin labor costs per bale decreased from an average of $3.42 per bale during the four seasons prior to the 2002 PRT test season, to $2.66 per bale during the five seasons since 2002. Furthermore, fiber and seed quality tests were conducted for comparison of plastic, steel, and aluminum power roll flaps. The flap material tests showed few statistically significant differences for fiber quality parameters.