a crop harvesting header includes a reel mounted on a pair of forwardly extending arms carried on a header frame above a table and cutting knife . the reel is rotatable about a longitudinal axis and includes bats with fingers which pivot each about a respective bat axis so the angle of the fingers varies as the reel rotates . the angle of the fingers can be varied to increase and decrease the angle at the knife . the arms include a forward portion which is arranged at an angle to a main portion so as to be inclined downwardly and forwardly therefrom . as the reel supports on the arms is moved forwardly along the arms and engages onto the forward portion , the reel is moved downwardly and forwardly which simultaneously changes the angle to provide a more aggressive action as the reel is moved forwardly of the knife .