Automated roll conditioner adjustment system for an agricultural harvesting machine

A method for operating an agricultural harvesting machine, comprising:

• providing a crop conditioning device for the agricultural harvesting machine, the crop conditioning device comprising a frame, a first conditioning roll connected to the frame, a second conditioning roll connected to the frame such that the second conditioning roll is movable relative to the first conditioning roll, the second conditioning roll being located at a distance away from the first conditioning roll for defining a roll gap in between the first conditioning roll and the second conditioning roll, the first conditioning roll and the second conditioning roll being configured for conditioning a crop material, a tension mechanism connected to the second conditioning roll, the tension mechanism comprising a first tension arm coupled to a first side of the second conditioning roll, a second tension arm coupled to a second side of the second conditioning roll, a tension member extending between the first tension arm and the second tension arm, and a tension actuator operably connected to the tension member, the tension member being configured for applying a tension force on the second conditioning roll via the first and second tension arms, and the tension actuator being configured for adjusting the tension force applied by the tension member, a roll-gap mechanism connected to the second conditioning roll, the roll-gap mechanism being configured for moving the second conditioning roll to adjust the roll gap, and a controller operably connected to at least one of the tension mechanism and the roll-gap mechanism;
• determining, by the controller, a type of crop material and a stem diameter of the crop material;
• and
• setting, by the controller, at least one of:
• an initial tension force dependent upon the type of crop material by adjusting the tension actuator operably connected to the tension member extending between the first tension arm and the second tension arm;
• and
• an initial roll gap dependent upon the type of crop material.