Throughout several years, John Deere has complicated the process for farmers trying to mend their machinery. Today, the Federal Trade Commission announced its intent to file a lawsuit to stop them. Both the FTC and the Attorneys General from Illinois and Minnesota are initiating legal action against John Deere due to unfair practices linked to equipment repair.

The grievance claims that Deere has illegally prevented farmers from fixing their machinery independently. The scheme forced farmers to bring tractors back to shops authorized by John Deere for official fixes.

FTC Chair Lina Khan asserted in a statement regarding the lawsuit, “Illegal restrictions on repairs can severely impact farmers, who depend on affordable and swift fixes to gather their produce and earn their livelihood.” She continued, “The FTC’s initiative aims to ensure farmers nationwide can repair their own machines or use repair centers of their choosing—reducing expenses, preventing harmful holdups, and fostering fair competition for independent repair shops.”

Legal proceedings against John Deere have been simmering for years. Last autumn, the FTC disclosed it had initiated an inquiry into the company’s repair methods. The company has faced multiple lawsuits by farmers and their supporters over this matter and repeatedly vowed to simplify the repair of its machines. It failed to follow through.

The overarching scheme is as follows: recent machines from John Deere incorporate sophisticated computer systems that are triggered whenever any sort of work is performed. Even if a farmer carries out a rudimentary repair to a tractor, the computers deactivate the tractor until an officially sanctioned technician resets the software.

Farmers have long been demanding one thing: access to the manuals and equipment necessary for them to mend their machinery promptly. “By controlling distribution of its repair tools, Deere succeeded in regulating and limiting who can fix its farm machinery, allowing Deere to maintain complete market control and charge elevated rates, through its network of sanctioned dealerships, for any repairs requiring the fully equipped tool,” the FTC explained.

This strategy has inflated repair costs for fundamental farming equipment, delayed harvest processes, and driven a boom in the used farm machinery market as farmers seek to purchase machines built before John Deere installed computers. The lawsuit’s aim is to compel Deere to provide farmers with the same tools that authorized repair services have, making it feasible for them to repair their gadgets.

The lawsuit’s announcement was met with widespread approval from numerous groups advocating for John Deere to ease repair processes.

“Everyone, especially those who are handy like farmers, should be permitted to fix their own items. When farmers cannot access the unique software tools required for diagnosis or repairs, it results in waiting for an approved technician to conclude their tasks. Weather doesn’t adhere to a dealership’s timeline—a delay could jeopardize a harvest. Such a situation can not only bankrupt a farmer, but it also leads to increased food costs for all,” stated Nathan Proctor, PIRG’s Right to Repair Campaign Director.

Proctor added, “We should not accept companies that obstruct repair. When you purchase something, you should have the liberty to do as you wish with it. The FTC’s decisive action supports farmers and everyone else advocating for the right to fix their properties.”

The FTC lawsuit becomes part of an extensive series of assertive measures the Commission has taken against company misconduct under Khan. The Right to Repair emerged as a crucial topic in the Biden administration, and through a mix of executive orders and FTC lawsuits, D.C. has achieved multiple victories for consumers.