Abstract: A knifeback for a sickle bar assembly that supports individual sickle sections is provided. The knifeback includes a bar having a channel formed longitudinally therein. Mounting holes extend through the bar and into the channel to facilitate mounting of sickle sections. The channel may provide strength and rigidity, provide structure for engaging sickle fastening bolts to prevent rotation thereof, and/or may be used to increase support and rigidity of a splicing member.

Abstract: A modular sickle bar having knifeback sections with splice plates can be joined together to form an elongated knifeback. Each of the splice plates are provided with a pair of holes corresponding to holes of adjoining full knife sections. In this way, conventional two-hole full knife sections are used throughout the sickle bar assembly. The sickle bar assembly is also provided with a half knife section that can be readily mounted in the field because its first mounting hole corresponds to the mounting hole of the adjoining full knife section, and the second mounting hole corresponds to the mounting hole for the next full knife section along the knifeback.