A method for controlling operation of a harvesting machine includes using a sensor unit to sense at least one state variable of a rolling-element bearing during operation of the harvesting machine and sending the at least one sensed variable to at least one evaluation unit, analyzing the at least one sensed variable in the at least one evaluation unit and generating at least one analysis result, and starting a process operation based on the at least one analysis result, wherein the process operation includes controlling at least one operating parameter of the harvesting machine and wherein the controlling and the sensing of the sensor unit form a closed loop control circuit.
