Abstract: A cutting mechanism for a maize cutter having several divider plates and at least one outside deflector for directing cornstalks into the maize cutter; the maize cutter also having entry chains or entry bands disposed between the divider plates and also between the divider plates and the outside deflector for holding the cornstalks fast and feeding the cornstalks to the cutting mechanism. The cutting mechanism is a double cutter including upper sets of cutter blades and co-acting associated lower sets of cutter blades, with each of the upper and associated lower cutter blades being arranged in a column. The upper and associated lower sets of cutter blades are laterally spaced from each other to define bladeless sections therebetween. The sets of cutter blades are disposed between the divider plates and also between the divider plates and the outside deflector, respectively, with the bladeless sections being disposed under the divider plates.