Clip on reel tine

Abstract

A plastic tine for mounting on a support tube of a harvester reel has a generally C-shaped mounting base that snaps onto the backside of the tube and an elongated finger that projects outwardly and normally downwardly from the mounting base. A generally C-shaped clip, oriented reversely to the mounting base, partially surrounds the front side of the support tube and is connected to one leg of the mounting base in such a manner that a free end of the clip can be swung toward and away from a corresponding opposite leg of the mounting base. Interlocking structure on the free end of the clip and corresponding distal end of the mounting base retains the clip in place against the front side of the support tube when the clip is fully installed. A special guard protectively overlies the free end of the mounting clip when it is locked to the mounting base so as to prevent accidental dislodgment by crop materials and residue during field operations. Provision is made for attachment of the tine to the tube by a threaded fastener in case the clip is dislodged or unavailable in the field. Alternative embodiments include an integral one-piece construction wherein the clip is integral with the rest of the tine and a separate two-part construction wherein the clip is a separate piece attachable to the rest of the tine.