Abstract: An attachment system for attaching a crop saving accessory to a cutting header where the cutting header comprises a knife mounted along a lower front edge thereof and a discharge opening in a middle rear portion thereof. The header cuts plants and moves the plants laterally to the discharge opening where the plants move rearward through the discharge opening. The system comprises an accessory engagement mechanism on a rear portion of the crop saving accessory configured to engage a header engagement mechanism mounted on the cutting header. A first end of a tether is attached to the crop saving accessory and a second end of the tether is adapted for attachment to a tether location on the cutting header. The tether is configured such that when the accessory engagement mechanism is disengaged from the header engagement mechanism, the tether prevents the crop saving accessory from moving through the discharge opening.

Abstract: A harvest header apparatus for harvesting a first crop in a field while preventing damage to a second later crop planted in the same field. A header table with a knife mounted along a lower front edge thereof has a plurality of crop shields attached to and spaced along the header table at a selected shield spacing, each crop shield extending forward from a rear portion thereof located under the knife to a forward end thereof located forward of the knife. A forward portion of each crop shield slopes upward such that crop plants contacted by the forward portion of each crop shield are pushed downward and pass under the knife without contacting the knife. The shield spacing is selected so the crop shields move along rows of second crop and push the second crop plants down and under the table such that same are not contacted by the knife.

Abstract: A sweeping apparatus for a reel of a combine comprises a plurality of brush assemblies, each brush assembly comprising a plurality of flexible bristles attached to a selected contact member of the reel and extending outward from the outer edge of the selected contact member such that as the selected contact member passes over the knife, the bristles extend down between the knife guards.

Abstract: An attachment system for attaching a crop saving accessory to a cutting header where the cutting header comprises a knife mounted along a lower front edge thereof and a discharge opening in a middle rear portion thereof. The header cuts plants and moves the plants laterally to the discharge opening where the plants move rearward through the discharge opening. The system comprises an accessory engagement mechanism on a rear portion of the crop saving accessory configured to engage a header engagement mechanism mounted on the cutting header. A first end of a tether is attached to the crop saving accessory and a second end of the tether is adapted for attachment to a tether location on the cutting header. The tether is configured such that when the accessory engagement mechanism is disengaged from the header engagement mechanism, the tether prevents the crop saving accessory from moving through the discharge opening.

Abstract: A harvest header apparatus for harvesting a first crop in a field while preventing damage to a second later crop planted in the same field. A header table with a knife mounted along a lower front edge thereof has a plurality of crop shields attached to and spaced along the header table at a selected shield spacing, each crop shield extending forward from a rear portion thereof located under the knife to a forward end thereof located forward of the knife. A forward portion of each crop shield slopes upward such that crop plants contacted by the forward portion of each crop shield are pushed downward and pass under the knife without contacting the knife. The shield spacing is selected so the crop shields move along rows of second crop and push the second crop plants down and under the table such that same are not contacted by the knife.

Abstract: A harvest header apparatus for harvesting a first crop in a field while preventing damage to a second later crop planted in the same field. A header table with a knife mounted along a lower front edge thereof has a plurality of crop shields attacked to and spaced along the header table at a selected shield spacing, each crop shield extending forward from a rear portion thereof located under the knife to a forward end thereof located forward of the knife. A forward portion of each crop shield slopes upward such that crop plants contacted by the forward portion of each crop shield are pushed downward and pass under the knife without contacting the knife. The shield spacing is selected so the crop shields move along rows of second crop and push the second crop plants down and under the table such that same are not contacted by the knife.

Abstract: A plant pushing apparatus for mounting on a reel of a combine where the reel comprises a center shaft rotatably mounted at each end thereof to the combine header, a plurality of contact members mounted to the center shaft in a horizontal orientation radially spaced from the center shaft, and a drive operative to rotate the center shaft such that the contact members below the center shaft move in a rearward direction toward the combine header. For each contact member, a projecting shield member is adapted at an inner portion thereof for attachment to the contact member such that an outer edge of the projecting shield member is substantially horizontal and rearward of the contact member, and such that the outer edge of the projecting shield member contacts plant stalks, particularly sunflower plant stalks, and pushes the plant stalks toward the combine header ahead of the following attached contact member.

Abstract: A harvest header apparatus for harvesting a first crop in a field while preventing damage to a second later crop planted in the same field. A header table with a knife mounted along a lower front edge thereof has a plurality of crop shields attacked to and spaced along the header table at a selected shield spacing, each crop shield extending forward from a rear portion thereof located under the knife to a forward end thereof located forward of the knife. A forward portion of each crop shield slopes upward such that crop plants contacted by the forward portion of each crop shield are pushed downward and pass under the knife without contacting the knife. The shield spacing is selected so the crop shields move along rows of second crop and push the second crop plants down and under the table such that same are not contacted by the knife.

Abstract: A plant pushing apparatus for mounting on a reel of a combine where the reel comprises a center shaft rotatably mounted at each end thereof to the combine header, a plurality of contact members mounted to the center shaft in a horizontal orientation radially spaced from the center shaft, and a drive operative to rotate the center shaft such that the contact members below the center shaft move in a rearward direction toward the combine header. For each contact member, a projecting shield member is adapted at an inner portion thereof for attachment to the contact member such that an outer edge of the projecting shield member is substantially horizontal and rearward of the contact member, and such that the outer edge of the projecting shield member contacts plant stalks, particularly sunflower plant stalks, and pushes the plant stalks toward the combine header ahead of the following attached contact member.

Abstract: A crop lifter apparatus has a bracket for attachment to a header guard finger. A cylindrical groove in a front portion of the mounting bracket has an axis perpendicular to a travel direction and a lock bolt hole is defined through the mounting bracket at the groove. The rear of a finger support member has a cylindrical wall engaged in the groove, and defines a cylindrical lock aperture with an axis coincidental with the axis of the groove. A slot in the rear of the support member is oriented perpendicular to the axis of the lock aperture. A lock cylinder is engaged in the lock aperture and a lock bolt extends through the lock bolt hole and the slot and into the lock cylinder and is tightened to secure the support member to the mounting bracket at a selected finger angle. A length of the lifting finger may be adjustable.

Abstract: A crop lifter apparatus has a base member attached to a selected guard finger of a cutting header. A front lifting finger extends forward and downward from the base member at a first angle downward from horizontal, and a rear lifting finger extends rearward and upward from the base member at second angle upward from horizontal, where the second angle is greater than the first angle. A front end of the front lifting finger is at a front vertical location that is a first distance below a top surface of the table, and a rear end of the rear lifting finger is at a rear vertical location that is a second distance above the top surface of the table, and the second distance is at least twice the first distance.

Abstract: A crop lifter apparatus has a bracket for attachment to a header guard finger. A cylindrical groove in a front portion of the mounting bracket has an axis perpendicular to a travel direction and a lock bolt hole is defined through the mounting bracket at the groove. The rear of a finger support member has a cylindrical wall engaged in the groove, and defines a cylindrical lock aperture with an axis coincidental with the axis of the groove. A slot in the rear of the support member is oriented perpendicular to the axis of the lock aperture. A lock cylinder is engaged in the lock aperture and a lock bolt extends through the lock bolt hole and the slot and into the lock cylinder and is tightened to secure the support member to the mounting bracket at a selected finger angle. A length of the lifting finger may be adjustable.

Abstract: A crop lifter apparatus has a base member attached to a selected guard finger of a cutting header. A front lifting finger extends forward and downward from the base member at a first angle downward from horizontal, and a rear lifting finger extends rearward and upward from the base member at second angle upward from horizontal, where the second angle is greater than the first angle. A front end of the front lifting finger is at a front vertical location that is a first distance below a top surface of the table, and a rear end of the rear lifting finger is at a rear vertical location that is a second distance above the top surface of the table, and the second distance is at least twice the first distance.

Abstract: A corn harvesting header comprises a knife bar extending along a front lower edge of a cutting header, with triangular knife sections attached along the bar and a plurality of guards with guard fingers extending forward. Pointed divider pans extend forward from the header such that a slot is formed between adjacent pans. A mounting bracket extends down from a rear of each pan and is attached to forward end portions of a pair of adjacent guard fingers, leaving rear portions of these guard fingers exposed. The divider pans are attached to alternating pairs of guard fingers such that a pair of bare guard fingers extends forward under and laterally adjacent to edges of each slot. The bottom surface of each seed pan is above the guard fingers an elevated distance that is greater than a spacing distance between the guard fingers. The header cuts the corn rows at angle.

Abstract: A crop lifter apparatus has a base member adapted to be attached to a cutting header guard finger about a lifter pivot axis. A plurality of lifter tips with different configurations are releasably attachable to the base member at a mounting position such that the attached lifter tip extends forward from the base member. A bias element is operative to exert a bias force on the base member urging a front portion of the base member forward of the lifter pivot axis to pivot downward about the lifter pivot axis, and the bias force urges the base member to bear against a stop. The tips can be configured to suit various conditions of soils and crops.

Abstract: A corn harvesting header comprises a knife bar extending along a front lower edge of a cutting header, with triangular knife sections attached along the bar and a plurality of guards with guard fingers extending forward. Pointed divider pans extend forward from the header such that a slot is formed between adjacent pans. A mounting bracket extends down from a rear of each pan and is attached to forward end portions of a pair of adjacent guard fingers, leaving rear portions of these guard fingers exposed. The divider pans are attached to alternating pairs of guard fingers such that a pair of bare guard fingers extends forward under and laterally adjacent to edges of each slot. The bottom surface of each seed pan is above the guard fingers an elevated distance that is greater than a spacing distance between the guard fingers. The header cuts the corn rows at angle.

Abstract: A seed pan apparatus has an elongated seed pan plate with parallel right and left edges, a curved configuration and a pointed front end. An engagement mechanism attaches the plate to a harvester cutting header such that the plate is above two adjacent guard fingers, such that an open slot is defined between the right edge of one plate and the left edge of an adjacent plate and the edges of the slot are in proximity to the outer edges of the guard fingers under the adjacent plates. The point is offset to make one front tapering edge forming the point longer than the other. The inclination, height, and fore and aft position of the seed pan plate can be adjusted.

Abstract: A crop lifter for attachment to a cutting header includes a lifter member adapted for attachment to the header and a lifting finger attached to the lifter member by a quick-attach mechanism such that a leading end of the lifting finger is ahead of and below the knife. The lifting finger is structurally weak compared to the lifting member such that the lifting finger will readily move when striking an obstruction, thereby preventing damage to the lifter member or header. The crop lifter or similar crop accessory can have a latch member at a rear end thereof, and a cooperating latch member attached to the header. The accessory latches to the header and a releasable latch lock prevents forward movement of the accessory that would disengage the latch.

Abstract: A crop lifter apparatus has a base member adapted to be attached to a cutting header guard finger about a lifter pivot axis. A plurality of lifter tips with different configurations are releasably attachable to the base member at a mounting position such that the attached lifter tip extends forward from the base member. A bias element is operative to exert a bias force on the base member urging a front portion of the base member forward of the lifter pivot axis to pivot downward about the lifter pivot axis, and the bias force urges the base member to bear against a stop. The tips can be configured to suit various conditions of soils and crops.

Abstract: A seed pan apparatus has an elongated seed pan plate with parallel right and left edges, a curved configuration and a pointed front end. An engagement mechanism attaches the plate to a harvester cutting header such that the plate is above two adjacent guard fingers, such that an open slot is defined between the right edge of one plate and the left edge of an adjacent plate and the edges of the slot are in proximity to the outer edges of the guard fingers under the adjacent plates. The point is offset to make one front tapering edge forming the point longer than the other, and smoothes the passage of stalks into the slot. The inclination, height, and fore and aft position of the seed pan plate can be adjusted to suit varying conditions of crop, moisture, soil, and the like or to suit different harvesting machines.