Abstract: A rotary cutting system for use with a row crop harvesting apparatus includes a pair of contra-rotating sickle assemblies operating in conjunction with a system of flexible, toothed crop-gathering belts. Each sickle assembly includes at least a pair of multi-toothed sickle blades arranged to cooperate with a stationary cutting member. As the belts are driven to gather in crop material, the sickle blades function to sever the material near ground level, the two sickel assemblies being arranged to operate simultaneously on two adjacent rows of crop material. Mirror-image construction of the sickle assemblies permits use of sickle blades having multiple, double-edged teeth such that the blades can be interchanged between assemblies for optimum blade utilization. The stationary cutting member is also of double-edged construction and is mounted for reversible operation.

Abstract: A row crop harvesting apparatus adapted to sever forage from a field and deliver it to a crop processing mechanism. The apparatus includes two elongated, laterally opposed conveyor belts which define between them a crop receiving passage. The design of the belts on either side of the crop receiving passage preferably comprises a driving member, a forward idler, and longitudinally spaced intermediate idlers. The idlers are spaced so that idlers of one belt are not laterally aligned with idlers of the other belt. The apparatus includes a rotary cutter mounted and driven by an adjustable forward idler. Means are provided for adjusting the adjustable forward idler. The rotary cutter cooperates with a second cutter element mounted on the means for adjusting the adjustable forward idler, thereby allowing the forward idler to be adjusted without affecting the cutting relationship of the rotary cutter and the second cutter element.