One or more sensors determine position data and detect a corresponding characteristic of field area with a crop stock located at a field side or sides next to the harvester. On a location-specific basis, the method stores the data on the characteristic detected or a crop parameter derived from the characteristic. On a predictive location-specific basis, the method retrieves the data on the characteristic stored or the stored crop parameter derived from the characteristic. During the harvesting of the field area detected with the sensor, the actuator is adjusted based on the characteristic or the crop parameter such that the operating parameter is adapted to the characteristic detected for the corresponding field area.
