If you’ve ever had a tractor or combine break down in the middle of planting or harvest, you know the sinking feeling. You also know how bad it stings to wait days for a dealership tech when you could have fixed it yourself if you just had the right info or the software to find the problem.
That’s what this whole “Right to Repair” fight is about. It’s about whether we, as farmers, can work on the machines we own, or if we have to keep paying big money and waiting in line for the dealer to do it.
Why This Matters to Every Farmer
Downtime is expensive. A study last year figured the average farmer loses over $3,000 a year from not being able to do their own repairs. That adds up to more than $3 billion nationwide.
Sometimes it’s not even a big fix; maybe just a bad sensor or a loose wire. But if the code to diagnose it is locked up, you’re stuck.
What’s Happened This Year
John Deere’s in the Hot Seat
Back in January, the Federal Trade Commission (basically the country’s “fair play” referee) sued Deere, saying they’ve been boxing farmers out of fixing their own machines. Deere tried to get the case thrown out, but the judge said no. That means the case moves forward, and it could set a big example for the rest of the industry.
Colorado’s Already Made a Law
In Colorado, if you buy farm equipment, the company has to give you the manuals, tools, and software you need to fix it. That’s been in place since January 2024, and folks there are already seeing the difference.
Small Steps from the Manufacturers
Deere rolled out a $195 “self-repair” software subscription this summer. It’s something, but it’s still limited compared to what their dealer techs can use.
Other brands like Case IH, Claas, and Fendt have promised more access through handshake agreements with farm groups, but so far, we haven’t seen big changes in the field.
How the Big Brands Stack Up Right Now
Are Things Getting Better or Worse?
- Better in the courts – Legal pressure is forcing companies to explain why they lock out farmers.
- Better in some states – Colorado’s law is working, and other states are thinking about similar rules.
- Still slow from the companies – Small moves, but most brands haven’t handed over the real keys to repair.
A Real-World Example
Jake, a farmer in Illinois, had two combines go down during harvest. The fix? A $40 sensor. The wait? Three days, because only the dealer had the software to find the bad part. Three days in October feels like a lifetime. Jake said, “If I had the code reader, I could’ve had that combine running before lunch.”
What We Can Do About It
- Speak up – Call your state rep and tell them your own breakdown story.
- Support shops that help farmers – Some independent mechanics are already working with the tools they can get.
- Stay informed – Watch what happens in the Deere court case — if farmers win there, it’ll help everyone.
- Don’t give up – The companies are hoping we’ll get tired of fighting. We can’t.
The Bottom Line
We’re making some progress in 2025, but it’s slow. Deere’s in the headlines because they’re the biggest target, but every brand needs to loosen its grip.
We bought the machine. We should be able to fix the machine.
If you’ve got your own breakdown story that proves the point, share it. Every acre, every season, we’re either getting closer to repair freedom, or further from it.