Abstract: A hold down mechanism controlling the top mat of crop material on a pickup belt platform includes a pair of support arms pivotally mounted on the opposite sides of the frame and extending longitudinally parallel to the rotatable pickup belt. A transverse cross member extends between the two support arms. The cross member has a tubular cross section and a transverse array of through holes, each through hole having a first opening and a diametrically opposite second opening in the tubular cross member, wherein the first opening is larger than the second opening. A plurality of hold down fingers are provided. Each finger has a flexible rod portion extending from and secured in a base portion. The base portion has a shoulder opposite the secured rod portion and a retaining portion extending from the shoulder opposite to the rod portion. A plurality of releasable retainers are provided.

Abstract: An endless crop conveying belt loop has a bolted connection including belt material having a top and bottom surface and first and second opposed ends. Each of the two opposed ends having complementary patterns of half wave shapes. Each pattern has a plurality of longitudinal extensions alternating with transverse straight edges. The longitudinal extensions are interwoven between respective extensions of the complementary pattern on the opposed end so that the longitudinal extensions of both opposed ends overlap the top surface of the opposed end and the transverse straight edges of both opposed ends are generally aligned. A staggered array of fasteners secures the two opposed ends together.