I've always been a bit confused about the right to repair debate, especially as it concerns John Deere equipment. I don't own any "new" John Deere products, but I do have a few pieces circa ~2010. Perhaps my experience is out of date.

Here's how it's always worked for me:

1. A code comes up on the computer.

2. A. The problem is self evident. Or;

2. B. I search online and find the problem. Or;

2. C. I search online and find the diagnostics manual, which I use to find the problem. Then I have diagnostics manual pdf forever, and can use this in the future.

3. A. I search online and find the parts diagram. Or;

3. B. I search my dealers website and find the parts diagram.

4. I order the part.

5. I install the part.

Has something changed with newer equipment that prevents farmers from doing this?

> The agricultural machine manufacturer has a subscription service that lets owners repair their own equipment. Why is barely anybody using it?

Because it doesn't address the actual problem.

Requiring a subscription violates the right to repair. Even for backwater places where the right to repair isn't enshrined in law (like the usa), people still know what the right to repair is, and often refuse to use a paid service what what ought to have been included in the base price.

A subscription for the right to repair your own machine seems completely insane to me. How is this a thing that is allowed?

The term "Self-Repair Service" already sounds so wrong.

Why would you pay extra for some website the company could just take away from you on a whim? I have the bound paper repair manuals for my 1998 Dodge truck, my 1995 Toyota, and my 2002 Kubota tractor. Nobody can arbitrarily take those away. Why can't companies these days just print a shop manual and be done with it?

This article seems a little condescending. They are neither a mechanic nor a farmer, as they say, and from there it just sort of goes off the rails.