A capping machine includes a container path, and a capping station at which threaded caps are rotated onto threaded finishes of the containers, wherein the capping station includes a pair of laterally opposed cap screwing belts that are operated and configured to screw threaded caps during container movement. A control system is configured to: automatically determine a torque applying characteristic during application of the threaded caps; automatically compare the torque applying characteristic to an established torque criteria; and if a result of the comparison indicates that the torque applying characteristic is not consistent with the established torque criteria, automatically adjust at least one component of the capping machine to bring the torque applying characteristic back into consistency with the established torque criteria. The torque applying characteristic may be a running average of detected finish torques for multiple caps. The established torque criteria may be a set acceptable finish torque range.