The press box is the heavily reinforced steel chamber at the end of a cotton ginning line where loose, cleaned cotton lint is gathered. A mechanical or hydraulic tramper repeatedly packs the lint downward into this box until enough material is accumulated. Once full, the final press rams the cotton into a standard-sized, high-density bale for tying and shipping.
Heard on the job
The tramper is cycling slow, so check the hydraulic pressure before the press box overflows.
Insider tip
Keeping the press box clean and well-lubricated prevents lint buildup, which can cause uneven bale densities or mechanical jams.