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A HERETIC I AM

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30. Have you heard of the black market for John Deere software?

Tue Jan 13, 2026, 07:10 PM

Tuesday

https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/tractor-repair-scam-john-deere-144319113.html

Here's an article on a lawsuit filed by the Federal Trader Commission
https://www.npr.org/2025/01/15/nx-s1-5260895/john-deere-ftc-lawsuit-right-to-repair-tractors

Many of the technical advances surely do benefit farmers and production but when a simple softeware glitch idles a $750,000 or a million dollar combine or tractor, And the nearest dealer is 125 miles away, you either pay through the nose to get a tech to come out or even more to have it trucked to their service center.

There are competitors of Deere that don't do this, and Claas, a major German manufacturer of farm equipment signed, along with several other makers, a "Right to repair" covenant;

https://www.agriculture.com/news/machinery/claas-is-fifth-manufacturer-to-sign-right-to-repair-mou

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walkingman Wednesdays

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Highlight:

Asking for DUers opinion on "Right to Repair" Do you think it is an important issue? [View all] Coventina Tuesday OP

It started with farmers spending $$$$$$ on tractors/combines with no ability to repair hlthe2b Tuesday #1

Speaking of Amazon, I recently needed a skin graph after my MOHs surgery. Dr. ordered it from Amazon. Who knew! SheilaAnn Tuesday #3

Well, they want to sell everything... hlthe2b Tuesday #8

I thought she was kidding at first but voila. $8,000 worth. She said they do have an extensive medical dept. n/t SheilaAnn Tuesday #12

Amazon has its own online pharmacy. ananda Tuesday #24

What's preventing repair of this item? bucolic_frolic Tuesday #2

There is no way for me to disassemble the heater to access the area Coventina Tuesday #7

Oh, now I see where you're coming from bucolic_frolic Tuesday #14

I think that's called a "tip switch", because it triggers when the device tips over. surrealAmerican Tuesday #4

Point taken. But I also feel that "planned obsolescence" is a major problem as well. Coventina Tuesday #10

Absolutely! SheltieLover Tuesday #5

Having the legal right to repair is not the same as having stuff that is possible to repair. Intractable Tuesday #6

I understand and agree. I guess I was envisioning a return to a time (haha!) Coventina Tuesday #11

Automation and cheap Asian labor has made it cheaper to replace than to repair. eppur_se_muova Tuesday #20

Repair shops and repair people remain common in low-income areas Prairie Gates 15 hrs ago #42

I think it's an extremely important issue canetoad Tuesday #9

Pollution and waste is corporate design. Blue Full Moon Tuesday #13

Ask any farmer that owns a large piece of equipment made by John Deere A HERETIC I AM Tuesday #15

Right to ForgedCrank Tuesday #16

"The goal is that you will own nothing and like it." Jedi Guy Tuesday #35

Any device that is held together with screws can be opened. :) eppur_se_muova Tuesday #17

As "A HERETIC I AM" posted earlier, John Deere is the poster child for walkingman Tuesday #18

Have you heard of the black market for John Deere software? A HERETIC I AM Tuesday #30

Frequently screws are hidden under decals. Prairie_Seagull Tuesday #19

"Removing sticker violates warranty" is old hat on hard drives and other computer components. eppur_se_muova Tuesday #22

BMW has applied for a patent on a proprietary screw, so only their dealers and servicemen can repair your car. eppur_se_muova Tuesday #21

YES, I think it's important Raine Tuesday #23

"Right to Repair" doesn't mean it has to be easy to repair or that all parts have to be made available MichMan Tuesday #25

The issue here is DRM as well Oneironaut 13 hrs ago #44

If you own a John Deere product it sure is. It needs to be stopped now before more of us with other products get stuck. marble falls Tuesday #26

yes. i need to be able to fix it myself rampartd Tuesday #27

"Right to repair" is extremely important, but your issue is not one of right to repair. NT. mahatmakanejeeves Tuesday #28

While it's not a burning priority for most of us right now. . . DinahMoeHum Tuesday #29

Trinket rich but equity poor. CrispyQ Tuesday #31

Don't get me started about cars Wednesdays Tuesday #32

Yes! Tasmanian Devil Tuesday #33

See if you can find a exact model cheap, that doesn't work, but you can pull parts off of it. n/t aggiesal Tuesday #34

I believe in a right to repair kbowman Tuesday #36

This is bigger than repairs MadameButterfly Tuesday #37

Not me. ForgedCrank Tuesday #39

Everything shouldn't be computerized and high tech MadameButterfly 15 hrs ago #41

products made and not quality maliaSmith Tuesday #38

We have an appliance repair guy who keeps telling us MadameButterfly 15 hrs ago #43

He is 100% correct. Newer models are for energy efficiency, not durability or even serviceability dalton99a 13 hrs ago #45

i wonder if they are even saving energy if you consider MadameButterfly 13 hrs ago #47

What really annoys me... CaptainTruth Tuesday #40

YES rictofen 4 hrs ago #48

That ship sailed a long time ago with American businesses. GoodRaisin 13 hrs ago #46