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The Conditioning Hopper was the reason for the invention of the moist air generator for cotton gins in the late 1950's. Today, our increased knowledge of how cotton fiber properties can be protected with moist air at the gin stand gives new life to an old product. It is not unusual for hoppers to make a difference in staple length of 1/16" when incoming cotton is dry. This benefit alone provides an attractive return on investment and one more reason to consider seed cotton conditioning.

Left: Double-entry conditioning hoppers provide preconditioning for the growers of United Cotton Growers Cooperative near Lubbock, Texas. Note that this double-entry style requires only one moist air pipe hidden behind the hoppers. Moist air valves are located on the end of each hopper.

How do they work?

The moist air enters the hoppers which are positioned above the feeders and just below the conveyor distributor. Faster gins stands need the moist air to come in from the front and back (double-entry style). Slower gin stands work nicely with moist air entry from the rear only (single-entry style). Many times, smaller cotton gins can share a single Humidaire Unit between hoppers and a Lint Slide Grid at the press.

• View the Seed Cotton Conditioning Update (PDF).
• View typical results for a commercial gin running  Conditioning Hoppers (PDF).
• Visit our Service Manuals Page for useful information.