Accumulator Cotton Compress Assembly

A cotton handling system for a cotton harvester, the system comprising:

• an accumulator having an enclosure configured to receive cotton from an inlet;
• an auger positioned within the enclosure and configured to compress the cotton when the auger rotates around an axis;
• an actuator coupled to the auger and configured to pivot the auger;
• and
• a controller configured to:
• receive a signal from a sensor associated with the accumulator,
• determine, based on the received signal, whether a bridge of cotton is formed within the accumulator, and
• command, in response to determining the bridge, the actuator to pivot the auger.

A cotton harvester, comprising:

• a harvesting structure configured to remove cotton from a field;
• an accumulator including:
• an inlet configured to receive the cotton;
• an enclosure defining a storage space to store the cotton;
• an outlet positioned at a bottom of the enclosure and configured to release the cotton that has been accumulated in the enclosure;
• and
• a cotton compress assembly including a first auger coupled to the enclosure, extending from a rear of the enclosure toward a front of the enclosure, the first auger (i) having a first shaft and a fighting attached to the first shaft, (ii) positioned within the enclosure, and (iii) configured to rotate around a first axis;
• a duct system through which the cotton moves from the harvesting structure to the accumulator;
• and
• a module builder coupled to the accumulator and configured to receive the cotton from the accumulator.