A shifting method (150) for an inline shaft system (96) of a chopper system of an agricultural harvester (10) is described and illustrated. The method (150) includes the steps of detecting, temporarily rotating and engaging. The detecting step detects a failure to properly engage a shift collar (90) with a splined component. The temporarily rotating step temporarily rotates the inline shaft system (96). The engaging step engages the shift collar (90) with the splined component.