John Deere Settlement Improves Repair Access

By Scout Nelson

A new settlement involving John Deere is a step forward in efforts to improve farmers’ ability to repair their own equipment and choose repair providers says the Minnesota Farmers Union. The agreement was announced by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and attorneys general from Minnesota, Illinois, Arizona, Michigan, and Wisconsin.

The case focused on concerns that John Deere was limiting access to diagnostic tools and repair information needed by farmers and independent repair technicians. The complaint stated that these limits reduced farmers’ repair choices and affected competition in the farm equipment repair market.

Under the settlement, John Deere must provide repair resources to farmers and independent repair technicians that are equal to those available to authorized John Deere dealers. The resources must include important repair functions and information needed to help complete equipment repairs.

The agreement also includes rules for future repair tools. If John Deere develops new repair resources, those tools must become available to farmers and independent technicians once half of authorized John Deere dealerships have access to them. The settlement will remain active for 10 years and will be monitored by the FTC and participating states.

Farm organizations welcomed the agreement as progress toward giving producers more control over their equipment.

“Minnesota Farmers Union (MFU) members have worked for Right to Repair legislation for farm equipment for a number of years because when they buy equipment, they believe they should be able to repair it themselves or take it to the repair technician of their choice,” said MFU President Gary Wertish. “We thank Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison and his staff for bringing this suit and working to gain this improvement for Minnesota’s family farmers. MFU will continue to work for expansion of the Digital Fair Repair Act in Minnesota to cover farm equipment.”

The settlement highlights the growing discussion around repair access in agriculture. Farmers depend on reliable equipment to complete planting, harvesting, and daily farm operations. Having access to repair information and tools can help reduce downtime, lower repair costs, and provide more choices for equipment maintenance.

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