The present disclosure provides a method for selectively controlling a work machine according to a current power device load response. The work machine includes a power device having a rotary output, a traction element, a transmission configured to provide a transmission ratio between the power device and traction element, an operator input device having a plurality of positions, and a control system. The method includes receiving selected range and a position of the operator input device, determining a no-load ground speed target as a function of selected range and input device position, and determining a desired ground speed load response as a function of the selected range. A desired transmission ratio is determined as a function of current machine ground speed and machine load. The method also includes determining a command to the power device as a function of a current transmission ratio and no-load ground speed target, determining a desired power device load response as a function of desired transmission ratio and desired ground speed load response, and selectively controlling the machine by switching between the current power device load response and the desired power device load response.