John Deere’s new trucks may feature fancy new computers — but can you fix them yourself?
Usually, the answer’s no… and for self-reliant farmers, that’s a problem. As Minnesota’s Star Tribune first reported, farmers are buying 40-year-old tractors so they can make their own repairs.
When a John Deere tractor from the 1970s or ’80s breaks down, it takes a little bit of know-how and elbow grease to get it up and running again.
But when a newer John Deere tractor breaks down, it takes a mechanic’s visit from an authorized dealer to check the computers and fix the problem — and these visits can cost as much as $150/hour.
Owners of cars, cellphones, computers, and other electronics are also often forced to visit authorized dealers for simple repairs, which has inspired consumer advocates to lobby for right-to-repair laws.
The movement really picked up steam last year, when right-to-repair legislation was introduced in 20 states and the Federal Trade Commission held a workshop called “Nixing the Fix” that addressed both manufacturers’ and consumers’ rights.
But several large companies — we’re looking at you, Apple — continue to face criticism for making it difficult for consumers to repair their products.