Abstract: The transfer device of an agricultural harvester, in particular a self-propelled forage harvester, is controlled to avoid crop loss and improve operating efficiency. The harvested crop is transferred from the agricultural harvester to a transport receptacle via an upper discharge chute. Apparatus controls the pivoting and vertical movement of the transfer device while the crop stream is spewed in a manner to avoid crop loss and improve the filling capacity during the transfer. The angle between the pivotable transfer device and the longitudinal direction of the agricultural harvester is calculated from the quantity of the correcting value to predetermine the direction of travel of the agricultural harvester. During travel, the apparatus is effective even during a curved path of travel.