#$%^&*AU2008230067B220120823.pdf#####27 Abstract A header for a plant cutting machine uses a plurality of compact sickle drive mechanisms incorporated into or beneath a floor or pan of the header 5 at a location between and spaced from the sides or ends of the header, each of which mechanisms can be configured for reciprocatingly driving two knife assemblies disposed in end to end relation, in opposite directions, such that potentially vibratory forces, including those generated by the moving masses of the knife assemblies, at least substantially cancel one another and thus are not 10 transferred to structure of the header. As a result, the knife assemblies can each be relatively short, to lessen the mass thereof so as to be capable of being operated at higher speeds, to enable operation of the header at faster ground speed.2/16 88 22 /0210 -92g84 .-- 9 66A 38 15o 0\ 0/ 54 76 78 16 28 /46/4 80,1/22 68 007 5472\7 0 745 72 -72 54 32 52? 6062 60 6 2 66 0 448 60 50 5 44A 500 Fg. 2
