Tractor run..but for how much longer?

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Originally Posted by Don 130

There are many good reasons that farmers here and elsewhere winge about not having full access to their tractors etc. example we got another green tractor and needed to shift a guidance system across to it from another, also green. The 'bend over fee' for providing code to allow the new tractor to speak to the guidance system is $7,000. Wouldn't you winge too?
DonAttachment 190929

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Of course I would. My comment was a response to the remark spud made about buying big tractors as a tax break. I hate all of that proprietary BS, and no right to repair. I saw today that the new CEO of Logitech is "intrigued" by the idea of a "forever mouse" that would need a permanent subscription. A mouse... Or BMW wanting a sub for the heated seats that are already fitted to the car.

I read, the other day, that BMW were dropping the heated seat sub, due to lack of popularity. They must've done the same with blinkers, ages ago.

Was on a clients premises during the week. Went to the break room to make a cup of coffee. There was a tech in repairing one of the vending machines. Stopped to chat and see what was happening in his world

Was repairing the new machine as it had electronics controlling it. Seems that the call out on these newer style of machines are what keeps him in a job for life. The no moving parts electronics are never built ‘tough’ enough and keep breaking down

The other vending machines were over 20 years old and mechanical. These he said were being replaced with the newer machines as they could not be updated to accept card readers for payment. It was this newer but fragile technology that ensued he had a job for life

The older mechanical machines rarely broke down so required fewer people to maintain and repair. One day someone would figure out how to build robust electronics then would be in trouble

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Originally Posted by 3toes

One day someone would figure out how to build robust electronics then would be in trouble

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The word missing here is "affordable". They already can build robust electronics if the auto industry is any example. Heck, even my 25 yo Disco still has it's original electronic everything ( says me, looking for some would to touch to appease Fate ), and not everyone would call LR the last word in reliability. Manufacturers don't want to pay for it though. All that sort of crap is now considered disposable. Your tech will have a job for a while, until they find it's cheaper to just put in a new machine, and that probably won't be long.