We are part of The Trust Project.
The American Farm Bureau Federation and John Deere signed a memorandum of understanding on Sunday, Jan. 8, that ensures farmers have the right to repair their own farm equipment or go to an independent technician.
Previously, John Deere and other equipment manufacturers have required customers to get their equipment repaired at authorized dealers or mechanics. That has led to disagreements and even lawsuits regarding whether farmers have the right to repair their own equipment. John Deere plans to release the tools, technology and software for their equipment to be fixed right on the farm.
Farmers who use John Deere equipment see the agreement between Farm Bureau and John Deere as a step in the right direction.
"Yeah, I think it's a good thing. I mean, some of those software updates, if you've got to wait on a mechanic to come on and do it, it could be a day or two and you're paying $180 an hour to have the guy drive out, where now I can get the software, I can hook up to it on my tractor and do it in a matter of minutes versus, you know, a day or two or whatever I was waiting on a guy," said Matt Lund, an Enderlin, North Dakota, farmer.
"I think it's going to be a good deal," said Sisseton, South Dakota, farmer Dan Nigg. "You know, most of us have a nice shop. We can work on stuff and the ability to do it and now gives us another step to finish up fixing some stuff."
ADVERTISEMENT
