Patent ID: 7707811

Claim:
A method of controlling movements of a header of a plant cutting machine, comprising steps of: providing a control system including at least one driver connected between the header and a frame of the machine and controllably operable for raising and lowering the header, a controller connected in operative control of the at least one driver, an input device connected to the controller and operable for inputting height commands thereto, a pressure sensor operable for determining a pressure condition in the at least one driver and outputting information representative thereof to the controller, and a height sensor operable for determining a height of the header and outputting information representative thereof to the controller; automatically monitoring height commands received from the input device, and: if a height command having a value greater than a predetermined value is received, then automatically controlling the at least one driver to position the header at the commanded height, and subsequently automatically controlling the header in an up-float mode allowing the header to be moved upwardly from the commanded height by exertion of an external upwardly directed force thereagainst, and allowing the header to move downwardly to the commanded height when the force is reduced or removed; and if a height command having the predetermined value or a lower value is received, then automatically controlling the header in a full float mode supported by a surface therebeneath wherein the header is movable upwardly and downwardly responsive to changes in elevation of the surface.