Farmers, due to not being able to repair their own newer machinery, mainly because they’re unable to access the more software dependent systems, are starting to turn towards older equipment, some as aged as 20 years old. Something Scott Potmesil had run into, when asking his local mechanic on what farming equipment to buy.
Farmers are forced to either pay high dealership costs for repair, wait weeks for parts and a tech to come to their location, or use older equipment with less electronics on it. This is mainly due to manufacturers only being the ones with access to tools and equipment to fix and get around the machinery’s software.
Often times as well, dealerships in an area are owned by big chain companies, so one price at a dealer in one town, may be the same in a large part of the rest of the county, just due to that one company owning all Deere, Case IH or other dealerships. Deere is the worst offender of this, with 50% Market Share, and many dealers being owned by corporate entities, that own multiple locations according to Kevin O’Reilly, Director of U.S. PIRG’s Right to Repair Campaign.
Right to repair would help with the problem of being down for long periods of time, and paying large dealership prices, just due to the companies having to compete. There would be more choice for farmers to go to third party repair places, have much faster uptime, due to the possibility to work on the machinery themselves. It would also expand options for those that won’t want to or can’t work on their own equipment.
Due to the software tools and parts also being available to other companies as well, one could take their John Deere tractor into a Kubota dealership, and have the tractor fixed there, as the mechanics at that dealership would have access to whatever they would need to repair the machinery. That is if that dealership was willing to work on it.
LB543, a bill pushed by State Senator Tom Brandt, is a right to repair bill in the state senate that has gone through committee and will be waiting for a vote.
LB543 addresses to adopt the Agricultural Right to Repair Act, which would place Nebraska as one of the first states to pass such a bill for this type of equipment. The bill would require equipment manufacturers, like John Deere, to make spare parts, manuals, and software codes available, allowing farmers to repair themselves, or have a third party repair it for them. Many farming associations are in favor for LB543, including the state dairy association, and the state farmer’s union. Those against the bill, O’Reilly states in a virtual conference Thursday, are reliant on the dealerships themselves, such as those that own them, and those that work for the dealerships.
Those that would like to support this bill can contact their local state senator, and mention their support on the matter.
