Row crop attachment having frame with a transverse bar at the sickle

Claim 1

A row crop attachment comprising: a base frame, two lower side frame members and a lower center frame member extending forwardly from said base frame, said members being in transverse spaced relation to form spaces therebetween, cutting means having reciprocating cutting blades and stationary side knives, said knives being mounted on respective frame members and extending into the spaces between said members in severing relation with said reciprocating cutting blades, characterized by a stringer bar having top and bottom members and front and rear side members, said top and bottom members having a width substantially greater than the width of said side members to impart a flat configuration to the bar and being stiff to twisting and bending forces, said stringer bar extending transversely across said attachment, notch-like plate members with each having spaced forward portions, said base frame being firmly secured to said rear side member and said frame members being firmly secured to said front side member and said notched plate-like members being firmly secured to the top member with said forward portions extending, respectively, over said lower frame members and attached thereto to render the portions of said lower side and center frame members bearing said stationary side knives stiff to twisting and bending forces and to support said stationary knives on said forward portions in substantially aligned relation with said reciprocating blade on said members bearing loads.