The frame of the cotton picker is exposed to complex and varying loads during its operation. Therefore, conducting research on the vibration characteristics of the frame is crucial. In this study, vibration tests were conducted on the main vibration sources in a cotton picker at several measuring points on the frame. An accelerometer sensor was utilized to collect the signals. Fourier analysis was applied to analyze the vibration sources, encompassing the excitation frequency and the vibration source-coupled excitation frequency. Modal tests were also conducted to validate the finite element model and determine the natural frequencies of the frame. The results showed that the natural frequencies of the frame, specifically the third-order, fourth-order, and sixth-order frequencies, were comparable to the vibration source-coupled excitation frequencies. To prevent frame resonance, the response surface method was used to optimize the frame. Based on the MOGA algorithm, scheme 4 was identified as the optimal design. Furthermore, fatigue life calculations were carried out to optimize the parts with short lifespans on the frame, thereby enhancing the working performance.

This study aims to address the low cleaning efficiency (73.12%) and high cotton loss rate (12.50%) of existing stripper-and-stick cleaners when processing machine-harvested long-staple cotton. Based on the material characteristics of Xinjiang long-staple cotton, a novel impurity removal device was designed specifically for its cleaning. A mechanical model of cotton–impurity interaction was established to guide the design of U-shaped saw cylinder parameters. Static analyses conducted via Ansys Workbench revealed that both straight and arc-shaped sawteeth exhibited negligible deformations (≤4.73 × 10⁻⁴ mm) and von Mises stresses (≤9.52 MPa), meeting the practical operational requirements. Through orthogonal experiments (sawtooth type, linear velocity, and feed speed), the optimal operating parameters were determined as arc-shaped sawteeth, 7.5 m/s linear velocity, and 11 t/h feed speed. Prototype testing demonstrated that under these parameters, the impurity removal device achieved an average cleaning efficiency of 82.42% (a 9.30% improvement over conventional devices) and an average cotton loss rate of 8.34% (a 4.16% reduction compared to conventional devices). This study provides a valuable reference for the design and optimization of stripper-and-stick cleaners specifically tailored for machine-harvested long-staple cotton.