Combine header reel apparatus for sunflowers

A plant pushing apparatus for mounting on a reel of a combine header mounted on a front end of a combine for travel in a forward operating travel direction to cut plant stalks, wherein the reel comprises a center shaft rotatably mounted at each end thereof to the combine header, a plurality of contact members mounted to the center shaft in a horizontal orientation radially spaced from the center shaft and extending substantially across a width of the combine header, and a drive operative to rotate the center shaft such that the contact members below the center shaft move in a rearward direction toward the combine header, the apparatus comprising:

• for each of said contact members, a projecting shield of substantially equal length adapted at an inner portion thereof for attachment to the contact member such that an outer edge of the projecting shield member is substantially horizontal and rearward of the contact member, and such that the outer edge of the projecting shield member contacts plant stalks and pushes the plant stalks toward the combine header ahead of a following attached contact member.