Farmall Cotton Picker

This message is a reply to an archived post by rustcollector on January 12, 2012 at 10:13:08.
The original subject was "Re: Farmall Cotton Picker".

Hi Rustcollector,

You have any info on an IH Cotton Picker Model 214? Serial # CH-5097

Thanks,
Tom

Tom,

The 214 and 220 pickers were the first self propelled 2 row pickers that IH made. They began production in 1956 with 116 of the model 214 and 204 of the 220. IH manufactured these pickers through 1960. The 214 machine was a 14 spindles per bar (low drum) and the 220, 20 spindles/bar (high drum). IH engineers borrowed heavily from IH trucks in designing these pickers. The differential and transmission was from the R190 or R200 trucks. The fan system was driven by a truck PTO from the transmission. I think the engine was also IH truck of about 220 cubic inches, six cylinders.

The row units or drums were very similar in design as the single row pickers, particularly the M120 pickers and were only modified slightly for the 414 and 420 pickers that began production in 1961. The left row unit is identical to an M120 row unit.

As a young college age kid, I went with my dad about 250 miles, bought a 220A picker for parts for one rows and later a 420 picker. Hauled both machines on the back or a 1965 C60 Chevy bob truck. Not a safe trip, but made without major incident. Still some of the drive train on the home place in Tuscaloosa Co., AL if you need some. Also, the row unit cabinets with some of the gearboxes and sprockets.

IH did produce a few two row tractor mounted machines that was on an "M" tractor. It was the Model "M-24" picker and was short lived, mainly because of inadequate power. An "M" tractor barely had enough power to run a dual fan and a single row unit, especially if the soil was soft. Hope this helped. My email is open.