Patent ID: 8991145
Filing Date: 2015-03-31
Classification: A01D

Abstract:
1. A crop lifter apparatus for attachment to a cutting header, the cutting header having a knife and guards attached to a lower front edge thereof with guard fingers of the guards extending forward from the header, the apparatus comprising: a base member adapted to be attached to a guard finger about a lifter pivot axis oriented substantially horizontally and perpendicular to an operating travel direction of the header; a lug extending forward from a forward end of the base member; a first lifter tip with a first configuration releasably attachable to the base member by inserting the lug into a recess in a rear end of the first lifter tip such that a whole of the first lifter tip extends forward from the base member in a fixed position relative to the base member; a second lifter tip with a second configuration different from the first configuration and releasably attachable to the base member by inserting the lug into a recess in a rear end of the second lifter tip such that a whole of the second lifter tip extends forward from the base member in a fixed position relative to the base member; corresponding lateral apertures through rear ends of the first and second lifter tips and the lug, and wherein the corresponding lateral apertures are aligned when one of the first and second lifter tips is attached to the lug, and comprising a fastener extending through the corresponding lateral apertures; and a bias element operative to exert a bias force on the base member urging a front portion of the base member forward of the lifter pivot axis to pivot downward about the lifter pivot axis, and wherein the bias force urges the base member to bear against a stop.