Repair rights at a crossroads as Deere launches diagnostics tool

While biological and chemical threats to corn yields are well understood, a more technological conflict has been center: farm equipment repair availability.

In what seems to be a direct response to antitrust allegations in the ongoing FTC v. John Deere right-to-repair lawsuit, the equipment giant has unveiled a revamped digital service platform aimed at giving equipment owners greater control over the maintenance, diagnostics, and repair of their machinery.

The new tool, Operations Center PRO Service, is now accessible through the John Deere Operations Center app for equipment owners across the U.S. and Canada. The digital tool is designed to allow equipment owners to access repair diagnostics and service data. Available via annual subscription starting at $195 per machine, the tool features:

• Real-time diagnostics and machine health insights
• PIN-specific manuals and service content
• Software reprogramming for controllers
• Interactive tests and calibrations

“The launch of Operations Center PRO Service is a significant milestone that adds to John Deere’s existing tools, and it reaffirms our longstanding commitment to empowering customers to choose how they repair their equipment,” said Denver Caldwell, Vice President of Aftermarket & Customer Support. “Importantly, our development of these tools reaffirms John Deere’s support of customer self-repair. We view continuously enhancing self-repair as consistent with our mission to ensure John Deere customers have the best machine ownership experience possible.”

In addition to equipment owners, a local service provider can also use Operations Center PRO Service. With a John Deere equipment owner’s permission, independent providers can gain access to diagnostic and repair information to support the equipment owner’s needs.



“Our message to our customers is clear,” continued Caldwell. “Whether you want the support of your professionally trained and trusted John Deere dealer, to work with another local service provider, or to fix your machine yourself, we’ve created additional capabilities for you to choose the option that best fits your needs.”

Deere says the new tool represents a substantial step forward from Deere’s prior Customer Service ADVISOR platform, long criticized for limiting users to partial diagnostic capabilities.

Access to timely repairs is critical during narrow planting and harvesting windows. Delays due to proprietary software restrictions can mean missing those windows entirely — resulting in lost yield. Broader access to repair tools can reduce downtime, lower maintenance costs, and improve yield during critical times. 

According to right-to-repair advocate Willie Cade, current restrictions cost U.S. farmers an estimated $4.2 billion annually, much of which stems from lost time during critical growing phases like pollination.

The FTC and attorney generals from five states are seeking a permanent injunction that would force Deere to offer full access to diagnostic and repair tools. If successful, this could set a national precedent, compelling not just Deere but other OEMs to open up repair ecosystems.

»Related: AED fights back against federal right-to-repair provisions