A method for operating a snapping device to harvest stalk crop relies upon stripper plates disposed in pairs and having a variable spacing therebetween. A snapping gap is formed by or in the variable spacing. Plant stalks are drawn into the snapping gap to sever crop fruit from crop stalks by the stripper plates. The diameter of the crop stalks is determined before entry into the snapping gap by a sensor device disposed in front of the snapping gap. A width of the snapping gap is adjusted depending on the diameter value that is determined.
