Protective structure for a modular disc cutterbar

In a disc cutterbar having a plurality of transversely spaced cutter modules, each said cutter module having a disc member rotatably supported thereon and carrying a cutting knife to sever standing crop material by impact action upon rotation of said disc member;

• a spacer module separating adjacent cutter modules, each said spacer module having a pair of transversely spaced, forwardly extending mounting arms;
• front and rear fasteners corresponding to each said cutter module and being operable to clamp said corresponding said cutter module between the adjacent said spacer modules;
• and a rock guard corresponding to each said cutter module to protect a forward portion of said cutter module from damage from impact with foreign objects, the improvement comprising:
• said rock guard being detachably supported on the one of said spacer mounting arms adjacent the corresponding said cutter module on one transverse side thereof and on the one of said forward mounting arms adjacent said corresponding cutter module on the opposing transverse side thereof such that said rock guard is positioned forwardly of the corresponding said cutter module, said rock guard being positioned forwardly of the corresponding said cutter module, but mounted on the adjacent said spacer modules.

A disc cutterbar comprising:

• a plurality of transversely spaced cutter modules, each said cutter module having a disc member rotatably supported thereon and carrying a cutting knife to sever standing crop material by impact action upon rotation of said disc member;
• a spacer module separating adjacent cutter modules, each said spacer module having a pair of transversely spaced, forwardly extending mounting arms;
• front and rear fasteners corresponding to each said cutter module and being operable to clamp said corresponding said cutter module between the adjacent said spacer modules;
• a detachable rock guard corresponding to each said cutter module and being supported on the one of said spacer mounting arms adjacent the corresponding said cutter module on one transverse side thereof and on the one of said forward mounting arms adjacent said corresponding cutter module on the opposing transverse side thereof such that said rock guard is positioned forwardly of the corresponding said cutter module;
• and
• a skid shoe corresponding to each respective said cutter module, said skid shoe being supported at a forward end thereof on said rock guard and extending therefrom rearwardly beneath said cutter module for connection of said skid shoe to the corresponding said cutter module.