Patent ID: 8555607

Claim:
A cutting platform for use with an agricultural harvesting machine, comprising: at least one platform section, each said platform section including: a cutterbar assembly movable in a localized manner in upwards and downwards directions along the length of said at least one platform section; an endless belt having a leading edge; a plurality of skid shoes, each said skid shoe extending rearwardly from said cutterbar assembly and having an upper surface with a continuous uninterrupted contour defining a belt support for said leading edge of said endless belt wherein each said skid shoe has a hollow cavity in an area adjacent said belt support; and a plurality of skid plates, each said skid plate being detachably connected to a lower surface of a respective said skid shoe wherein each said skid plate has at least one reinforcing rib extending into said hollow cavity and terminating adjacent said lower surface of said skid shoe.