The invention is directed to a platform reel for a harvesting assembly. The reel includes bat tubes extending longitudinally across the length of the reel. The bat tubes are mounted at their outer ends to opposed spider support elements each having a center rotatable hub. The bat tubes carry tines for feeding harvested crop to the harvesting platform. The interior space between the bat tubes does not have supporting elements such as a center tube extending across the length of the reel. A perimeter struts connect adjacent bat tubes and provide a supporting framework together with the bat tubes for the reel.