A belt pickup header for an agricultural harvesting machine includes a frame having opposite ends, a belt pickup carried by the frame, and a pair of suspension arms carrying the belt pickup. Each suspension arm is pivotally coupled with a respective frame end. A pair of compression springs are each positioned between a respective suspension arm and corresponding frame end. Each spring vertically supports a respective suspension arm. A pair of fluid shocks are each interconnected between a respective suspension arm and corresponding frame end. Each fluid shock damps movement of the corresponding suspension arm.