NASHVILLE, Tenn. (RFD News) — Farmers could gain broader access to equipment repair tools under a settlement between the Federal Trade Commission, five states, and Deere & Company.
The agreement, announced on Wednesday, would require Deere to provide farmers and independent repair shops with repair resources comparable to those available to authorized dealers for 10 years. That includes software needed to diagnose problems, clear fault codes, reprogram components, and restart equipment after certain shutdowns.
The settlement addresses claims that limited access to Deere software increased repair costs and caused service delays. Farmers have argued that those delays can be especially costly during planting, harvest, and other time-sensitive fieldwork.
Deere would also be required to provide future repair tools once they become widely available across its dealer network. Dealers could not discriminate against farmers or independent technicians who use those resources.
The agreement still requires approval from a federal judge before taking effect.
