A harvesting head height control circuit (162) for controlling the height of an articulated harvesting head (104) that is supported on a combine harvester (102) during harvesting in an agricultural field includes an ECU (164) configured to raise and lower the portions of the articulated harvesting head. The ECU (164) receives signals indicating the magnitude of a rearward force acting upon the articulated harvesting head and automatically changes the commanded operating height of the articulated harvesting head (104).
