Abstract: In a header having a movably mounted knife and a guard for shielding the moving and rotating components operating the knife, the guard preferably comprising two interconnected parts of which the first part is mounted on the header so as not to move with the knife and the second part is coupled for movement with the knife. In this way, the area shielded by the guard automatically expands and contracts with movement of the knife.

Abstract: An agricultural harvesting machine comprises a crop processing apparatus and an elevator assembly for conveying harvested crop material to the crop processing apparatus. The elevator assembly comprises an elevator housing and an endless elevator apparatus mounted for rotation in the housing, the elevator apparatus having lower and upper lower runs. A shielding mechanism, such as an intermediate plate, shields the lower elevator run from the upper run. The intermediate plate is provided with at least one aperture enabling passage therethrough of crop material, and at least one removable cover for closing the aperture.

Abstract: An agricultural harvesting machine (10) comprises crop processing means (16) and an elevator assembly (23) for conveying harvested crop material to said crop processing means (16). The elevator assembly comprises an elevator housing (50) and endless elevator means mounted for rotation in said housing (50), said elevator means having lower and upper lower runs (66a, 66b). Shielding means, such as an intermediate plate (70, 71), shield said the lower elevator run (66a) from the upper run (66b) The intermediate plate is provided with at least one aperture (78) enabling passage therethrough of crop material, and at least one removable cover (79) for closing said aperture (78). When the harvested crop material contains long stems, which easily wrap around the drive shaft (56) of the elevator assembly (23), the cover (79) is used to prevent the crop material from falling on top of the lower run (66a).