Abstract: A cover for use on the outer surface of a skid plate of a combine grain head comprises a plurality of side-by-side cover panels, each cover panel corresponding to a specific skid plate panel of the skid plate. The inner surface of each cover panel is configured to matingly engage the outer surface of its corresponding skid plate panel, while the outer surface of each cover panel is substantially parallel to its inner surface and has formed therein a first living hinge adjacent and parallel to the leading edge of the cover panel and a second living hinge adjacent and parallel to the trailing edge of the cover panel. The living hinges permit the angles of the leading and trailing edges to be adjusted to accommodate tolerances in the manufacture of the skid plate panels and to accommodate deformations which occur in the cover panels due to the passage of time and variations in temperature.

Abstract: A cover for use on the outer surface of a skid plate of a combine grain head, the skid plate comprising a plurality of side-by-side skid plate panels of different widths, comprising a plurality of side-by-side cover panels, each cover panel corresponding to a specific skid plate panel and each cover panel having an outer surface, an inner surface, opposed leading and trailing edges, and a pair of opposed side edges. The inner surface of each cover panel is configured to matingly engage the outer surface of its corresponding skid plate panel, while the outer surface of each said cover panel is substantially parallel to its inner surface. The side edges of each said cover panel are slightly inset from the side edges of its corresponding skid plate panel, whereby each cover panel is spaced apart from its adjacent cover panel to permit relative horizontal movement between adjacent cover panels and their corresponding skid plate panels.