The Right to Repair - Blog Post
New Substack addition
We are introducing a new feature in our Substacks that delve into topics not necessarily “local council” related called “ Blog Posts” . We hope you enjoy and share!
We have delved into this topic before in an article called “Planned Obsolescence” which you can read HERE
But besides the planned obsolescence of consumer goods over the years, some industries have gone a step further wherein they have created product that is impossible to fix yourself causing one to rely on the producer to fix - from Tesla to John Deer.
The Fight to Fix: How Corporate Greed Traps Farmers and Consumers alike
Consider this: Your livelihood depends on timing. Whether you're planting crops, baling hay, or harvesting before a storm, you live and die by the clock. Walter, a third-generation farmer from Montana, considers this his life. The design of his equipment, a cutting-edge John Deere tractor, intended to simplify his job. Instead, it stranded him.
During the hectic hay season, Walter's tractor began shutting down at random. He tried to mend it, just as any competent farmer would. He replaced the fuel filter, which was a sensible first step, but the problem remained. That's when he understood the problem was not mechanical. It was digital.
Sensors, software, and computers equip modern tractors like Walter's. Walter lacked the necessary John Deere software for problem diagnosis. He called his dealer and expected a straightforward answer. But the dealership informed him that the program was not available to farmers, even for rent. The earliest approved mechanic could arrive was a week for Walter.
One week.
For Walter, the delay could have cost him his whole hay crop. You must bale the hay before it rains to prevent its quality from decreasing. He was losing time as well as money. When the dealership arrived, the problem turned out to be a malfunctioning sensor, which cost less than $200. What about the repair bill? Almost $5,000.
Walter's narrative involves more than simply one farmer and a broken tractor. It involves a system that quietly changed how we own and maintain our assets.
Walter's dissatisfaction stems from a deeper issue: the struggle over who controls what you own. Farmers such as Walter grew up repairing their own machinery. It was part of the job. However, modern tractors, cars, and even cellphones are more than just tools. They are computers with wheels, engines, or displays.
Companies such as John Deere, Apple, and McDonald's have figured out how to leverage this technology to keep customers out of repairs. John Deere tractors, for example, require specialized software to diagnose and correct problems. Authorized dealers exclusively receive the software, creating a repair monopoly.
Apple has been playing this game for some years. Apple's products are renowned for their challenging repairability. iPhones bond batteries into them. Devices that use proprietary screws are difficult to open. Even when fixes are possible, software locks frequently prevent independent shops or DIY enthusiasts from performing them.
This is not innovation. It is about control.
Repair monopolies come at a high cost, not just for farmers but for everyone.
Farmers face tremendous stakes. Missing a harvest window due to a broken tractor can result in losses of tens, if not hundreds, of thousands of dollars. Waiting for permitted repairs is not only unpleasant; it can be disastrous.
The problem is equally upsetting for average shoppers. Your phone breaks, and the repair costs the same as buying a new one. Your car's check engine light illuminates, but your local mechanic is unable to repair it since he does not have access to the manufacturer's software. The same applies to electric wheelchairs, medical devices, and even McDonald's ice cream machines.
These repair limits raise costs, close independent repair businesses, and put consumers at the mercy of large corporations.
The issue essentially revolves around ownership. When you buy a tractor, a car, or a smartphone, you likely believe you own it. However, corporations such as John Deere and Apple are rewriting that idea.
Instead of selling you a thing openly, they claim you are merely licensing the software that makes it operate. This means they can control how, when, and where repairs take place. They can even determine who has the authority to repair it at all.
This is not simply a theory. Walter's tractor difficulty was exacerbated by the fact that John Deere says its software remains their property even after you purchase the machine. Walter and the other farmers are unable to use the program.
The Right to Repair movement is battling back. Advocates believe that if you buy something, you should be able to fix it yourself or take it to someone who can. The idea has gained support in recent years, with some states enacting Right to Repair legislation. These rules mandate manufacturers to provide repair tools, parts, and software to consumers and independent repair companies.
Farmers in Colorado, for example, can now legally repair their own machinery. Minnesota enacted a similar law governing consumer electronics and appliances, although it excludes farming equipment and medical devices.
While these laws represent progress, they fall short. Farmers, mechanics, and repair shops need comprehensive federal legislation that ensures equal opportunities for all.
This effort is particularly important to those of us who live in farming communities. Many of our livelihoods are dependent on reliable equipment. A tractor going down at an inconvenient time might destroy a season. The fact that firms like John Deere benefit more from maintenance than equipment sales feels like a betrayal of the people they purport to serve.
This is not a rejection of modern technology. It is about using it in a manner that respects the end user. Farmers have always adapted to changing conditions, from horse-drawn plows to GPS-guided combines. However, the change must be beneficial rather than detrimental to us.
Tractors are not the only subject of the repair rights debate. It is about autonomy and control. It concerns whether customers can choose how to use their purchases. It is important to preserve the small-town repair shops that keep communities going.
For the time being, Walter has devised an alternate solution. He purchased an older John Deere tractor on eBay that does not require software to fix. When it breaks down, he can troubleshoot it with his local mechanic and return to work the same day. What are the repair costs? Ninety dollars. No software. No, wait.
But Walter's experience should not be an exception. This should be the rule. Farmers, consumers, and repair firms all have the right to repair what they own. This is more than simply a fight for farmers. This is a fight for all of us.
Blog post inspired by this video:
Reuters Right to Repair Lawsuit
Team COAP