The 4MZ-5 cotton picker is a large, five-row, horizontally mounted, self-propelled cotton harvesting machine featuring a front-mounted picking platform, an inverted automatic transfer cotton box, and a hybrid hydraulic-mechanical drive system. It is powered by an engine with 186 kW of output. After comprehensive testing and real-world application by the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, the machine demonstrated impressive performance: a picking rate of 95.03%, an operating speed of 5.77 km/h, fuel consumption of 1.7 kg/hr, and impurity content below 10%. These results place its overall performance at an international advanced level, meeting or even surpassing foreign cotton pickers in certain key parameters, making it capable of fully replacing imported models.
Designed by Guizhou Pingshui Machinery Co., Ltd., which is affiliated with China Aviation Industry First Group and the China Academy of Agricultural Mechanization Sciences, the 4MZ-5 was developed through a "production, research, and study" collaborative model starting in 2002. While some components such as gearboxes, hydraulic pumps, and motors are imported, over 90% of the parts are locally produced, demonstrating strong localization. As a result, Guizhou Pingshui became the only domestic manufacturer and the third company globally to produce large-scale self-propelled cotton pickers.
The development of the 4MZ-5 filled a critical gap in the domestic market and challenged foreign monopolies. In 2004, the project received key support from the national debt fund, and by 2006, the company aimed to achieve annual production capacity. In 2004, the company produced 10 units, all purchased by the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps' Eighth Division. By 2005, the Corps had placed 20 orders, including six 4MZ-5 models, and a new improved version was undergoing joint testing.
The success of the 4MZ-5 project not only provided valuable experience for China's technological independence but also highlighted four key factors: the effectiveness of the "production, research, and study" model, significant investment in R&D (over 28 million yuan), close collaboration with users and research institutions, and strong policy support as part of the national key new product plan.
The autonomy of cotton pickers has far-reaching implications for China’s equipment manufacturing industry and rural modernization. The 4MZ-5 incorporates advanced hydraulic and automated control systems, making it a high-tech agricultural machine. Its successful localization not only strengthens supply chain resilience but also promotes downstream industries such as transfer equipment, pre-cleaning machines, and balers.
With a cotton-growing area of 45 million mu across China, including 15 million mu in Xinjiang, the demand for mechanized cotton picking is growing rapidly. Currently, only 7% of cotton is harvested mechanically in Xinjiang, with most machines imported. Replacing these with domestically produced 4MZ-5 models could save over 700 million yuan in costs.
Moreover, labor shortages have become a major issue, with hand-picking workers unable to meet demand, leading to significant crop losses. The 4MZ-5 can cover up to 4,000 acres per year, equivalent to 600 laborers, reducing production costs by 20% compared to manual methods. This not only improves economic efficiency but also eases social tensions related to migrant labor, benefiting public services and education in ethnic minority regions.
To further support the cotton picker autonomy project, future steps include importing key components duty-free, offering financial subsidies to domestic users, and establishing quality standards for machine-harvested cotton to boost adoption and align with global markets.
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