System and method for wing float on a combine draper header

A draper header for a combine, the draper header comprising:

• a center section adapted for attachment to a combine and provided with a belt operable in a rearward direction for feeding crop material into the combine;
• first and second wings extending in opposite lateral directions from the center section, each of the first and second wings comprising a draper belt operable to feed crop material toward the center section, wherein the first and second wings are individually pivotably supported relative to the center section;
• a cutterbar positioned at a forward edge of the draper header across the center section and the first and second wings, the cutterbar operable to reciprocate for cutting crop material from the ground;
• a first resilient float element operable to produce a force output from stored energy therein that is applied through a first float linkage to provide an overall float force to the first wing;
• and
• a second resilient float element operable to produce a force output from stored energy therein that is applied through a second float linkage to provide an overall float force to the second wing,
• wherein the first float linkage is operable through a range of positions to alter a mechanical advantage between the first resilient float element and the first wing inversely with a change in the force output from the first resilient float element as the first wing moves with respect to the center section, and
• wherein the second float linkage is operable through a range of positions to alter a mechanical advantage between the second resilient float element and the second wing inversely with a change in the force output from the second resilient float element as the second wing moves with respect to the center section.

A method of floating a wing of a combine draper header from a center section of the draper header, the method comprising:

• movably supporting the wing with respect to the center section to enable movement of the wing between a first position and a second position;
• supporting the wing with respect to the center section with a resilient float element;
• storing increasing amounts of energy in the resilient float element through movement of the wing from the first position to the second position;
• and
• re-orienting the resilient float element with a float linkage to reduce the mechanical advantage of the resilient float element for supporting the wing through movement of the wing from the first position to the second position, thus buffering the wing from a force increase from the resilient float element.