Manitoba’s general farm group has joined the American Farm Bureau Federation and come out in favour of the new implement industry memorandum of understanding to provide proprietary service codes to farmers and independent shops.
The new agreement takes the locks off manufacturers’ software, security locks and security-related functions to allow for repair and maintenance. It opens up parts, tools, documentation and diagnostics on fair and reasonable terms, Keystone Agricultural Producers said.
The move is a step forward in solving two problems. Dealerships and independent shops are begging for technicians. They claim they cannot provide good service because they don’t have enough qualified technicians. Putting the keys into the hands of famers and independent shops helps remove some of that pressure.
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It reduces field repair times, improves dealers access to technicians and farmers to diagnostics and parts. And provides remote diagnosis, allowing technicians to arrive prepared.
KAP president Bill Campbell said the agreement may not solve all the problems that have been associated with the latest generation of digitalized equipment, but it’s a step in the right direction.
“I wouldn’t say that everything’s resolved. There are still issues with access to technicians, broadband service and isolation. If I breakdown Saturday afternoon, can I get going again by Sunday morning? That will be the proof this is working,” Campbell said.
“I had a conversation with an independent technician this morning. He told me he can now access John Deere information and codes. He’s also had access to Case and blue and the yellow companies. And he’s been able to access those companies for some time now. He said this new agreement with Deere completes the whole accessibility package.”
Many farmers have long felt that John Deere has been overly protective of its proprietary intellectual property. Those public image problems may explain why Deere was the first major manufacturer to sign on to the MOU, and so far, the only major to do so.
“I attended a John Deere seminar last fall. They were quite transparent about how they provide independent dealers with parts and access to their data base, tech manuals and other assistance. They were quite upfront about it.
“They were also concerned about cost recovery. They train the technicians and provide all the digitalized information. Maybe they should be compensated for that. Some of these take their expertise and go farming and run an independent shop on the side to supplement their income.
“I’m sure there are details that need to be worked out, but I think it’s a very positive step. The right to repair is now jointly shared by corporations and individual farmers,” Campbell said.
