This article discusses the prediction of the characteristics of the technical condition of machines and their effectiveness. The task of predicting the parameters of the changes the technical state of agricultural machinery during operation is to determine the numerical characteristics for future points in time. When choosing and justifying a mathematical model, it is necessary to take into account the physical nature of the phenomena that lead to a change in characteristics during operation. A model reflecting the rate of change of parameters is used to describe the processes. In forecasting, to increase the efficiency of the mathematical model, generalized physical laws are used that determine the process of changing the resource. Based on this model, it is possible to build a methodology for calculating the reliability. The set of process characteristics characterizes the change in parameters and makes it possible to predict torque functions during operation.