A swather includes a swath compression panel with a downwardly andrearwardly inclined undersurface for applying a downward compression force ontheswath between the front and rear wheels. A mounting assembly includes anactuatoroperable in response to a speed and/or direction of travel of the tractor forraisingthe panel to a retracted position under the tractor. A bottom stop haltsdownwardmovement of the actuator before the panel engages the ground. The panelincludesan upwardly and rearwardly inclined curved rear portion to smoothly releasethecompressed crop. The panel is mounted on the tractor frame at a positionthereonrearward of a transverse beam connected to the front wheels so that the swathisreleased from the discharge opening of the header and can expand for dischargetothe ground before the swath is engaged by the front end of the panel.
