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ARS Home » Plains Area » Las Cruces, New Mexico » Cotton Ginning Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #332084
Research Project: Enhancing the Quality, Utility, Sustainability and Environmental Impact of Western and Long-Staple Cotton through Improvements in Harvesting, Processing, and Utilization

Location: Cotton Ginning Research

Title: A comprehensive gin maintenance program

Author
item Funk, Paul
item Hardin Iv, Robert

Submitted to: Journal of Cotton Science
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/11/2018
Publication Date: 4/1/2019
Citation: Funk, P.A., Hardin IV, R.G. 2019. A comprehensive gin maintenance program. Journal of Cotton Science. 23:78-89.

Interpretive Summary: This article is one in a series providing guidance for the post-harvest processing industry which cleans, separates, and packages cotton for U.S. farmers so that it can then be sold. The assets operated by a cotton gin are resource-dense special machines hand built in small quantities. It is argued that neglecting preventive maintenance and timely repairs is to mine this resource and squander the gin company’s investment. The article encourages gin directors and managers as well as employees and vendors to commit to keep each part of the ginning system well maintained and operating properly. Implementing a comprehensive gin maintenance program in dormant and ginning seasons will minimize the frequency and length of downtime. This will maximize end fiber quality as well as throughput, benefitting both the gin’s customers and its owners.

Technical Abstract: A comprehensive gin maintenance program can be the difference between profitability and failure for cotton gins. A comprehensive gin maintenance program includes a sound maintenance philosophy, downtime and repair documentation and guidelines, a dormant season repair program, and a ginning season preventive and in-season repair program. Implementing a comprehensive gin maintenance program in dormant and ginning seasons will minimize the frequency and length of downtime. This will maximize end fiber quality as well as throughput, benefitting both the gin’s customers and its owners. Example downtime, inspection, repair and preventive maintenance reports are provided by way of illustration.