Abstract: A method for operating a bale opening machine (1) includes the step of defining a desired normal or operational take-off depth for the take-off device or extraction member (6) to be applied to all of the bales (7) of the bale lie. An actual take-off depth is computed for predetermined positions along the bale line as a function of the normal take-off depth and factors computed for the respective positions to take into account bale height differences and density differences between the bales. With respect to the bale height differences (4MAX−aMIN), the take-off factors have a proportional value based on a bale height at the respective positions compared to a total bale height difference between the highest and lowest bales. A total bale height is recomputed prior to each pass of the take-off device and the actual take-off depth factors are set to a value of 1 if the computed total bale height difference is reduced to at least the magnitude of the normal take-off depth.