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How to Set Up and Use HarvestSmart and Active Terrain Adjustment on Your John Deere S700 Combine

Step-by-step guide for automating ground speed and terrain management to maximize combine performance and minimize grain loss.

Guide to Combine Automation Features

This article explains how to set up and use HarvestSmart and Active Terrain Adjustment on your John Deere S700 Combine. These features automate ground speed and cleaning systems to optimize performance and reduce grain loss, making your harvest more efficient—even in variable field conditions.

 

What Are HarvestSmart and Active Terrain Adjustment?

HarvestSmart automatically adjusts combine ground speed based on engine load and crop conditions.

Active Terrain Adjustment maintains consistent grain loss levels by automatically adapting cleaning systems when operating on slopes.

Setting Up HarvestSmart

Accessing the Feature:

  • Go to the Combine Advisor button in the shortcut bar.

  • Find HarvestSmart under Automation Functions.

Steps to Optimize HarvestSmart:

  1. Open Settings (on the right side next to the on/off control).

  2. Set Engine Power Target near 100% to keep the combine working at full potential.

  3. Set Speed Limit to determine the maximum ground speed (e.g., 5.5mph is a typical choice), which prevents over-speeding in areas without crops.

  4. Adjust Aggressiveness to control how quickly the system reacts to changing loads. Start at the middle setting ("3") and increase if needed.

  5. Enable Grain Loss Management to let the combine slow down automatically when grain loss is too high.

Tip: Turning off grain loss management allows the system to run only by monitoring engine load.

Activating and Operating HarvestSmart:

  • Turn HarvestSmart ON and set a new target.

  • Assign activation to hydro handle buttons, like "E", "A", or "B".

  • Drive into the crop and press your assigned button to start automation.

  • To temporarily switch to manual control (such as for washouts or unloading), move the hydro handle slightly; you’ll hear a tone when automation stops.

  • Resume HarvestSmart by pressing the resume button.

Performance Suggestions:
Always disengage HarvestSmart with the hydro handle in the middle position for smooth speed transitions.

Setting Up Active Terrain Adjustment

Calibration First:

  • Go to the menu and choose Calibrations and Procedures.

  • Select Chassis Pitch Calibration.

  • Complete calibration while parked on a flat, level surface with the combine head attached so the system accurately detects slopes.

Turning the Feature On:

  • Return to Combine Advisor and switch Active Terrain Adjustment ON.

Adjusting Settings:

  • Set Uphill and Downhill Sensitivity to control response to slopes.

  • Decide if chaffer and sieve settings should be automated or left manual.

  • Set Step Size for adjusting the amount these settings change per increment, such as chaffer moving from 14 to 12 or 16.

  • Cleaning Fan adjustments are always automated; you can choose how many RPMs the fan changes per adjustment.

  • Most settings will automatically adapt to changes in field slope.

To Turn Off:
Select the off button in Combine Advisor when you want to disable Active Terrain Adjustment.

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions

What does HarvestSmart help with?
Maximizes combine efficiency by automatically adjusting speed for changing crop loads and field variability.

Why is Active Terrain Adjustment important?
Reduces grain loss on hilly fields by adapting cleaning systems according to the pitch of the combine.

Can I customize what’s automated?
Yes, both features offer adjustable settings for sensitivity and which cleaning components are included in automation.

What should I do if HarvestSmart reacts too slow or too fast?
Modify the Aggressiveness setting in System Settings to suit your needs.

How do I know if calibration is complete?
Pitch calibration is complete when performed on level ground with the combine head attached.

 

Need More Help?

Contact your nearest Koenig Equipment location to speak with an Optimization Specialist. We can help you set up and fine-tune automation features to fit your harvest requirements.

Optimize your S700 Combine performance with HarvestSmart and Active Terrain Adjustment to make every harvest easier, more productive, and more profitable.