Thread: Farmers driving 'right to repair' issue

I was a spare parts manager at a JD dealership in the wheatbelt in WA for a while and it was a real problem sorting some problems as it was done via the phone to the good old usa, these farmerd rarely had phone reception so we were often called to fo it via sat phone.
Lots of ****ed off farmers
cheers
blaze

A similar situation with trucks, some makes requiring ECU/BMU access to perform mundane maintenance such as a brake reline.
A mate had a new truck that was fitted with an in cab alarm for te park brake. Mine spec states the alarm has to be external, an $11,000 modification. No longer can you fit a $5 relay and secondhand Holden horn.

Originally Posted by V8Ian

A similar situation with trucks, some makes requiring ECU/BMU access to perform mundane maintenance such as a brake reline.
A mate had a new truck that was fitted with an in cab alarm for te park brake. Mine spec states the alarm has to be external, an $11,000 modification. No longer can you fit a $5 relay and secondhand Holden horn.

It was never a problem with my old truck:

old truck.jpg

John Deere in particular is big on this idea of “you only buy the right to use” your tractor rather than ownership per se.

So if it’s a license agreement, then shouldn’t JD be obliged to repair it at their cost when it breaks down? Or the ‘purchaser’ has a a right to functional machinery at all times?

Many farmers up our way are paying big money to purchase and refurbish the last generation of tractors pre-software to avoid this. The losses in fuel efficiency and convenience relative to a new tractor are becoming secondary to the need to repair and maintain.

I'll have to chat with a young rellie of mine about this as she works for JD. Travels (or did pre virus) extensively for them.
Sounds like the same sort of complete control those that flog GM seeds have over the farmers that buy from them by not allowing seed to be kept back for the next seasons planting.
AlanH.

I thought the issue of not being able to self serve John Deere tractors was covered by Landline on the ABC a while back and that the ACCC has said it was illegal. Could be wrong though.

The ACCC consultation closed in may and they are presumably still considering it....Purchasers of agricultural machinery survey
- Australian Competition and Consumer Commission
- Citizen Space

There do seem to be a few aftermarket options in the US for diagnostic and repair tools
Agriculture Kits — Diesel Laptops



Regards,
Tote

It is a can of worms whichever way you look at it. On the one hand the manufactures have every right to protect their software, having spent huge amounts on developing it. It is no different to Microsoft or any other developer wanting a return on their investment. The difference with the likes of Microsoft is that the market amounts to millions of users, so it is a loosing battle to police it and a viable option for others to develop alternatives.

With tractors and other agricultural machinery by comparison it is a small market. It is very specialised software with a limited market and therefore not as attractive to after market developers.

As for owners being able to access the software themselves it should be remembered that although the owner has bought the hardware, he has only bought a licence to USE the software to run it. That licence does not include access to it.

As pointed out elsewhere, it is possible to connect with the manufacturer or the dealer via the Internet, PROVIDING that you have a workable connection. This is not something new, it was available back in the 1990's where I was working offshore, but via satellite. It is used today for airlines that MAY have aircraft still in the air, and I am sure Tombie will be able to tell you; in the mining industry for big earthmoving equipment.

I can well understand the farmers frustrations and the need for a better alternative, but the fact is I doubt that it will change any time soon.
If the Yanks cannot force the manufacturers to release proprietary software I see little hope for it here.

What is Proprietary Software? - Definition from Techopedia