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.

Abstract: A flexing crop lifter apparatus includes a finger recess portion configured to receive a forward end of a guard finger, and a securing portion is adapted for attachment to the cutting header. A ski mounting plate extends rearward and downward from the finger recess portion under an attached guard finger. A ski member is attached at a rear end thereof to a rear end of the ski mounting plate and extends forward under the ski mounting plate and curves upward at a front end thereof. A lifting arm extends rearward from the front end of the ski member back and over a knife of the cutting header when the apparatus is attached to the guard finger. The ski member and the ski mounting plate are configured to flex.

Abstract: An agricultural sweep has an upwardly extending stem adapted to be secured to a tine of an agricultural implement and a ground breaking member comprised of a pair of substantially planar wings diverging rearwardly from a tip. In order to prevent bending or breaking of the sweep, a reinforcing ridge is provided at the juncture of the wings and the stem, the ridge extending along a longitudinal axis of the sweep from the upper surface of the wings to a point on the stem between the base and the upper end of the stem.