US Patent 7520115 Header float arm load compensation

A float arm load compensation system for a header of an agricultural harvester includes a header frame; a plurality of header float arms pivotally coupled to the header frame; a cutter bar fixed to forward ends of the plurality of header float arms; at least one conveyor belt supported on the plurality of header float arms and configured to traverse the header perpendicular to the direction of travel of the header, wherein the conveyor belt is further configured to receive crop material cut by the cutter bar; and a plurality of springs, wherein each spring is coupled to an associated header float arm of the plurality of header float arms to exert a force on the associated header float arm compensating for the weight of cut crop material supported by the associated header float arm.