Farmers Can Fix Their Own Tractors Again: What the New Deere Settlement Means for You

What just changed

On July 2026, the Federal Trade Commission, along with five states, announced a settlement with Deere & Company. The deal is meant to give farmers and independent repair shops the same repair tools that Deere used to hand out only to its authorized dealers.

For years, the FTC and the states said, Deere made the only software tools that could do all electronic repairs on its equipment. It kept those tools with its dealers. That left many farmers with no choice but to pay a dealer, even for common fixes. The lawsuit, filed in January 2025, said this led to service delays and higher costs.

Now Deere must share those resources. That is the heart of what changed.

What Deere now has to do

Under the settlement, Deere must make repair resources available to farmers and independent repair providers on fair and reasonable terms. These include reading and clearing electronic fault codes, reprogramming and pairing electronic parts, restarting a machine after an emissions shutdown (often called limp mode), and viewing technical manuals and troubleshooting guides.

Deere must also share future repair tools once it gives them to more than half of its US dealer network. And it must tell dealers not to retaliate against farmers or shops who choose to do their own repairs.

The order lasts 10 years and is watched by the FTC and the states. It can be extended if Deere breaks the terms.

How this could save you money

The FTC says the goal is to lower costs for American farmers, and for the people who buy what those farmers grow. When you can fix your own equipment, or take it to a local independent shop, you may avoid paying an authorized dealer for every repair.

This does not promise a set dollar amount. The savings depend on your equipment and your repairs. But the choice is now yours, which it was not before.

Right to repair is a bigger movement, too. The FTC says it will keep fighting restrictions on the right to repair. If you own equipment or devices, it is worth knowing your rights.

Frequently asked questions

Do I get a cash payment from this settlement?

No. This settlement does not send checks to farmers. Instead, it requires Deere to share repair tools so farmers and independent shops can do repairs, which can lower repair costs over time.

How much will I save?

The FTC did not name a set dollar amount. Your savings depend on your equipment and repairs. The main benefit is having the choice to repair yourself or use an independent shop instead of only a dealer.

What if a dealer refuses to share the tools?

The settlement says Deere must tell dealers to support these repair resources and not retaliate against farmers who use them. You can report problems to the FTC for free.

Does this cost me anything to look into?

No. Reading the FTC release and filing a complaint with the FTC are both free. Be careful of any company that offers to help you claim something for a fee.