Chopping and distributor device

process for operating a with a cutter (2) equipped self-propelled harvesting machine (1) and with a arranged in the discharge-side region chopping Distributor (4), from which a crop stream in at least a discharge blower promoted (7) is that a variable position with at least one means of a drive (11) Tear-off edge (10) for adjusting the exit direction of the crop material flow from the discharge blower (7) is provided, wherein the drive (11) for adjusting the at least a tear-off edge (10) as a function of the working width (3) of the cutting unit (2) and / or as a function regulated by the distribution (V) of the crop material on the ground (19) is, to the spreading width (13) automatically to the working width (3) adjust the cutting unit (2) and in a uniform layer thickness to distribute on the ground (19).