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TWO cutting systems were evaluated for harvesting of guayule plants in the production of rubber. A pair of counter-rotating plow coulters, which provide two-element shear for plant severing, proved to be superior to circular saws in both laboratory and field trials. Lower cutting energy requirements, increased functional performance, improved safety and greater durability were found for the coulters. Further development of a whole plant harvester should utilize the coulter system for the cutting mechanism.