A threshing drum has a cylindrical exterior, and a cuttings intake end having a seating surface. A helical auger flight, affixed to the cylindrical exterior of the threshing drum at the cuttings intake end, extends helically outward from the cylindrical exterior of the threshing drum from the inner edge to the outer edge and rearward from the leading extremity adjacent to the seating surface to the trailing extremity. The outer face faces forwardly toward the cuttings intake end. The inner face faces rearwardly away from the cuttings intake end. A wear plate includes a front extremity having a nose. The wear plate is connected to the inner face of the helical auger flight, the front extremity extends forwardly of the leading edge of the helical auger flight, and the nose of the wear plate is in direct contact against the seating surface of the cuttings intake end.
