Double knife stubbel cutter

Apparatus for cutting stubble comprising a frame having a width defining a working width of the apparatus, a plurality of ground wheels for supporting the frame in movement across ground carrying standing stubble to be cut, a hitch attached to the frame for applying a pulling force from a towing vehicle to the frame in a direction of working movement at right angles to the working width, a first sickle knife, a second sickle knife, a means mounting each of the first and second sickle knives on the frame so that each extends across the full working width, said mounting means mounting the first sickle knife upwardly of and forwardly of the second sickle such that the first sickle knife cuts a first upper stubble piece from the standing stubble as the frame is moved forwardly in the working direction and the second sickle knife cuts a second lower stubble piece from the standing stubble leaving a lower most standing piece, the frame defining an open area behind each of said first and second sickle knives arranged such that the upper stubble and the lower stubble piece fall to the ground behind the first and second sickle knives through the open areas at a position substantially aligned on the ground with the standing stubble piece.