Abstract: A crop lifter apparatus is provided that is adapted for attachment to a cutting header. The apparatus can have a guard member having a slot passing through it, a latch member pivotally attached at a first end to the guard member and having an aperture for receiving a guard bolt on the cutting header, the aperture passing through a side edge of the latch member, a ski member operatively attached to the guard member, and a lifting arm attached to the ski member. To attach the crop lifter apparatus to a cutting header, the crop lifter can be positioned on the guard bolt with the guard bolt extending into the slot in the guard member. The latch can then be pivoted so that the aperture in the latch is positioned on the guard bolt or spool. This can attach the crop lifter apparatus securely to the cutting header.