I have heard of guys using vinyl siding atached to the outside bats. I can understand your frustration. I got fed up last year and decided to trade up to the full fingered head this year.
Get an Air Reel I know that probally not the answer your looking for but that is a shure fire way to make the head feed you can get either the AWS or the CWS systems pretty reasonable and they will pay for them selves fairly quickly I figure I save at least 1 bushel per acre all the time and even more in short beans.
Get a Vibramat. It's a short piece of vinyl that lies along the length of platform and is attached to the knife. As it moves back and forth with the knife it shakes the crop down to the table auger. Simple idea and its heaps cheaper than an air reel.
AGCO makes a rasied feathering sheet kit that according to many is working just great! I know of several users who like them much better than Johnson Rock gaurds. They work on all color of machines and are quick to install.
Couldn't agree more. Aussie invention that has improved crop material movement and feeding to the same or greater extent as the bread slicing machine. Absolutely brilliant and cheap!