Abstract: An automatic height control for a gathering reel used with an agricultural combine of the type in which a floating cutter assembly and a gathering reel are carried by the header of the combine forwardly of the header. The control system of the invention adjusts the height of the gathering reel in closely tracking relation with vertical movement of the floating cutter assembly to thereby avoid damage to the gathering reel and to the cutter assembly due to interference between the cutter assembly and the gathering reel. The control system of the invention may be used in conjunction with a prior art header height control arrangement which responds to a predetermined vertical movement of the floating cutter assembly to vertically adjust the header and thus to vertically adjust the gathering reel carried by the header.