The right to repair is an argument that has been going on for some time. Consumer advocates want to give consumers access to product manuals, special tools, and software needed to DIY their own maintenance and repairs. The issue is that the after-market for broken and damaged products is huge, if you have ever broken the screen on a phone or a tablet you understand the costs of and the lack of information on manufacturers repairs.
From the farm perspective machine manufacturers are continuously adding more digital features on farm equipment for diagnostic purposes, but this has largely meant that farmers and third-party mechanics are unable to do regular service on new machines due to digital locks put in place to protect the intellectual property of the software.
These digital locks have the potential for machine manufacturers to create an artificial market, forcing farmers to buy new parts from manufacturers at an authorized repair facility. It seems like DIY is N-O. Important factors to take into consideration when purchasing machinery for any farm.
Another consideration is the introduction of technology that is a “closed-system” and the impact on your ability to do after-market customization. If you require specialized equipment, that is not mass produced, and are considering a new or late model purchase, ask your dealer about any restrictions or limitations on customization.
Last words for now – No denying that new technology is amazing, but lengthening the time between equipment replacement through maintenance, repair, customization, and even the 2nd Hand Economy, can help to reduce economic impact to you and the environmental impact to us all!