John Deere first to allow farmers to repair own equipment

Upon purchasing a car or truck, imagine being told when repairs are needed that the vehicle needs to be returned to the dealer. Neither you nor a repair shop of your choosing can attempt fixing that major investment. For generations, farmers have faced that exact restriction with agricultural machines such as combines or tractors. However, […]

Upon purchasing a car or truck, imagine being told when repairs are needed that the vehicle needs to be returned to the dealer. Neither you nor a repair shop of your choosing can attempt fixing that major investment. For generations, farmers have faced that exact restriction with agricultural machines such as combines or tractors. However, that industry standard began changing Sunday, Jan. 8. Moline-based Deere & Co. became the first equipment manufacturer to give farmers the right to repair their own farm machines when it signed a memorandum of understanding with the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) during the organization’s annual convention in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

“Before this agreement, the most farmers could do is change oil, put fuel in and drive their farm machinery,” Rich Guebert, president of the Illinois Farm Bureau, told the QCBJ during a Monday afternoon telephone interview from the convention. “That outdated model really slowed down the process,” he said. “Especially when we’ve seen a lot of consolidation in the ag industry, which has forced farmers to travel farther and farther for these repair services. Some farmers have had to drive two to three hours to get repairs. And when you're in the planting or harvest seasons, time is money.” This mounting problem also was further exacerbated during the COVID-19 pandemic with many local technicians retiring without replacements at the ready. Supply-chain issues exposed since the outbreak also have shown dealers unable to acquire the necessary parts or tools to repair farm equipment in a short time frame. “This agreement reaffirms the long-standing commitment Deere has made to ensure our customers have the diagnostic tools and information they need to make many repairs to their machines,” David Gilmore, Deere Senior Vice President, Ag & Turf Sales & Marketing, said in a released statement. “We look forward to working alongside the American Farm Bureau and our customers in the months and years ahead to ensure farmers continue to have the tools and resources to diagnose, maintain and repair their equipment,” he added.  Sunday’s announcement is the culmination of several years of serious discussions between Deere, the Quad Cities-based industry giant, and the AFBF, which represents state farm bureaus throughout the country on the federal level. According to Reuters, consumers have filed a slew of lawsuits against Deere and other companies over the right-to-repair issue, especially with costs surging over the last several years. “The Biden administration has been pushing for more competition in the rural economy amid rising inflation,” a Reuters article said. Only two states (New York and Colorado) have right-to-repair laws that seek to reign in tech company monopolies on the repair of their products, Reuters added. The six-page memorandum signed Sunday said it seeks to offer a solution beyond state or federal legislation or regulation. “There were conversations up in Washington, D.C. -- and conversations at a number of state capitals with their legislators,” Mr. Guebert said. “I don't know exactly where it's going to go or who's going to jump in next, but I think this sets the groundwork and the initiative for Case IH or New Holland or whoever to get with this program. This is a very competitive industry, so they're going to want to stay up with the times and not give any other industry folks a leg up or an advantage. “AFBF is already having those conversations with the other major industry folks, and I'd hope in the next year to 18 months that we'll have something together there as well.” Mr. Guebert compared the deal to a cellphone service or computer software contract – which allows owners access to self-help measures to try and fix their technology problems at home before seeking an outside repair shop. Farm equipment now features all sorts of technology upgrades – from sensors to GPS-guiding systems to on-board computers – with each new improvement further automating more of the in-field production work. “AFBF is pleased to announce this agreement with John Deere,” AFBF president Zippy Duvall said in a joint news release from the AFBF and Deere. “It addresses a long-running issue for farmers and ranchers when it comes to accessing tools, information and resources, while protecting John Deere’s intellectual property rights and ensuring equipment safety. “A piece of equipment is a major investment. Farmers must have the freedom to choose where equipment is repaired, or to repair it themselves, to help control costs. The (memorandum of understanding) commits John Deere to ensuring farmers and independent repair facilities have access to many of the tools and software needed to grow the food, fuel and fiber America’s families rely on.” Mr. Guebert said the agreement formalizes access for farmers to diagnostic and repair codes, as well as service manuals, product guides, repair tools, ordering replacement parts, and tech support. “Hopefully that helps folks get a fix in quicker than before so they can get back to doing what they do best,” Mr. Guebert said, noting this deal neither allows farmers to increase the horsepower of their machines or wipe out any emissions controls. The agreement also sets parameters and creates a mechanism to address the concerns of farmers and equipment dealers. Deere has agreed to meet with the AFBF at least twice per year to evaluate the program. “This provides an opportunity for farmers who have the technical skills to hook up diagnostic equipment and figure out what they need to do to get back up and running,” Mr. Guebert said. “Farmers my age probably don't have that expertise – but we have sons and daughters or grandsons and granddaughters coming back from college who feel very comfortable doing that kind of stuff. That next generation of farmers are already tech savvy enough to handle these machines nowadays that are so very technical anymore. So, they are well-equipped to take farming forward.” The convention wraps up today, Jan. 10, with a policy session for business delegates. Among other convention highlights was former Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack, the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, addressing the assembly Monday.