The small crop harvester described is designed to cut yield samples from forage experimental plots. The machine, based on the principle of a flail type forage harvester, is mounted on a standard 2-plough tractor by a conventional three-point hitch and the rotor mechanism is driven from the tractor power take-off shaft. The unit cuts a swath 35 inches wide. The chopped forage material is delivered directly to an attached collection box which has a capacity for 80 lb. of green chopped material and can be unloaded from the rear. This device operates efficiently on grass or legume crops of any density with a height up to 30 inches and it chops the material into suitable lengths for sampling purposes.