An agricultural harvester includes a traction unit and a crop harvesting header coupled with the traction unit. The header includes a main frame with a right hand (RH) side and a left hand (LH) side. A RH gauge wheel is movably coupled with the RH side of the main frame, and a RH hydraulic cylinder is coupled between the RH gauge wheel and the main frame. A first hydraulic circuit is coupled with the RH hydraulic cylinder and configured to control an operating height of the RH gauge wheel. A LH gauge wheel is movably coupled with the LH side of the main frame, and a LH hydraulic cylinder is coupled between the LH gauge wheel and the main frame. A second hydraulic circuit is coupled with the LH hydraulic cylinder and configured to control an operating height of the LH gauge wheel. The second hydraulic circuit is independent from the first hydraulic circuit. A third hydraulic circuit is coupled with a vertical position hydraulic cylinder and configured to operate at a predetermined operating pressure, whereby a portion of the weight of the header is carried by the traction unit. The third hydraulic circuit is independent from each of the first hydraulic circuit and the second hydraulic circuit.