How to Use AutoMaintain with Combine Advisor: Step-by-Step Guide

AutoMaintain helps you achieve consistent harvest quality and efficiency by automatically adjusting combine settings based on real-time metrics. This guide breaks down the process, highlights practical tips, and answers common questions for operators using Koenig Equipment support.

What Is AutoMaintain?

AutoMaintain is a precision agriculture tool in John Deere combines that:

Automatically adjusts combine settings during operation.
Maintains targeted performance levels for throughput, grain loss, and grain quality.
Reduces the guesswork and manual input often required for optimal harvesting.

Setting Up AutoMaintain: Quick Steps

1. Access the AutoMaintain Setting

Navigate to the Integrated Combine Adjustment 2 (ICA2) run page on your combine’s display.
Check that HarvestSmart and Active Terrain Adjustment are active; AutoMaintain should show as "Off" but selectable.

2. Turn On AutoMaintain

Select the AutoMaintain option—either via the ICA2 shortcut icon or by selecting the status at the top of the run page.

3. Set Performance Targets

When turning on AutoMaintain, the machine will prompt you to set a performance target such as throughput or loss levels.
- Confirm by selecting “OK.”
- The system will begin acquiring a new performance target (indicated by a spinning circle).

4. Acquire a Target

Continue harvesting as normal. It typically takes 5–10 minutes or more to acquire a representative target, depending on field conditions.
- In short fields or rapidly changing conditions, the acquisition may take longer.
Progress can be monitored at the bottom of the run page.
If needed, reset the target anytime by pressing the “Set Target” button.

Using Camera and Grain Analysis Features

Live Camera Feeds:

Set up an additional run page (preferably on an extended display) to view the live grain system camera.
Switch between grain analysis, tailings camera, or split view.

Grain Analysis Color Codes:

Broken Grain: Reddish orange highlight.
Foreign Material: Green (light), yellow (heavy).
Unthreshed Grain: Purple.
Always monitor your camera lens debris status; "OK" is good. Clean the lens if it shows "moderate" or "needs cleaning" to maintain analysis accuracy.

Monitoring Performance and Adjustments

Performance History:

View three main graphs for insight:
- Throughput: Bushels per hour (can be adjusted to productivity or yield).
- Grain Loss: Tailings, shoe, and separator loss.
  - Green area: Below target (desired).
  - White area: Above target (machine will make automatic adjustments).
- Grain Quality: Four metrics, also color-coded green (acceptable) or white (adjustments needed).
The system displays activity for the past 30 minutes.

Adjustment Tracking:

Under the “Adjustments” tab, find detailed logs of machine changes.
- See which settings were altered, by how much, when, and the reason (e.g., reducing foreign material, improving grain sample).
- Useful for operators who want to review machine actions or manually override if needed.

Common Questions

How do I know if AutoMaintain is working?

Check the run page for active status and watch for system adjustments in the “Adjustments” tab. Graphs should remain in the green for losses and quality indicators unless conditions change.

When should I reset performance targets?

Reset when crop conditions or field environment changes significantly, or if you notice consistently suboptimal grain quality or productivity.

What if the camera lens needs cleaning?

A warning will appear on the grain analysis display; clean the lens promptly for best results.

Can I override AutoMaintain changes?

Yes, all machine adjustments are logged. Operators can manually adjust settings if needed.

Example Scenario

You’re harvesting in variable field conditions. AutoMaintain is active, and you notice grain loss creeping above your performance target. The system automatically adjusts sieve settings to bring loss back to acceptable levels and logs this change in the adjustments tab.