A knife drive assembly tor use in a harvesting header reel.The knife drive is mounted neat the center line of thecutting table of the header. Mechanical power from thepower unit behind the header (typically the combine poweroutput shaft) is directly and shortly translated torapplication to two cutter blades in the cutter bar at thefront of the cutter table. Movement of the two knives withthis apparatus is fully synchronized and 180 degrees out ofphase, to maximize effectiveness and minimize vibration ofthe header. The complete drive assembly is replaceable asa single component, allowing for rapid repair andmanufacture, and the size and weight of the unitaryassembly represents a significant weight and balanceadvantage over the prior art.
