A harvesting header (100) comprises a header frame and a cutterbar assembly (128) mounted to the header frame and extending transversely to the normal direction of travel of the header. An endless flexible draper belt (202) is rotatably supported on the header frame rearwardly of the crop-cutting assembly to receive severed crop material from the crop-cutting assembly and convey the materials laterally. The draper belt (202) presents laterally extending, spaced apart leading and trailing edges relative to the normal direction of header travel, and an outwardly facing crop-engaging surface defined between the edges. An upstanding continuous rib (206) projects outwardly from the crop-engaging surface adjacent the leading edge.
