Abstract: A double knife stubble cutting machine is provided for cutting stubble after a harvesting action into three separate pieces including a standing stubble piece and two cut pieces. The device comprises a frame having a center section and a pair of wing sections with the wing sections being pivotal about a horizontal axis upwardly to a transport position. The frame defines a tool bar across the full width of the frame which carries a pair of sickle knife support bars downwardly of the tool bar and arranged so that one sickle knife is forwardly of and upwardly of the second sickle knife. Both knives are open and free from support elements between the knives so that the cut material can be discarded back to the ground after cutting without any transverse movement or blockage. The harvesting action therefore allows the minimum amount of straw to be taken by the combine harvester so that the standing stubble element is cut into three pieces of equal length.