Re: Designed to be not repairable

On 1/15/2025 5:09 PM, Mark J cleary wrote:

On 1/15/2025 2:42 PM, AMuzi wrote:

Update on this contentious issue:
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/yourmoney/consumer/ article-14288851/john- deere-backlash-practice-tractor- machinery-repair-sued-ftc.html

It is total crook of garbage. These ought to be able to be worked on by anyone. The proprietary stuff is arrogant and in the same way I dislike Specialized bike. They want to cause you to go down their narrow path.
 

I'm inclined to agree on general principles. Usually I'd suggest just buying the competitor's product. Good luck with that now.
But modern equipment such as Deere products or autos or Kenworths are extremely complex and their controls, monitors, system processors and error logs and software represent a huge investment.  Most manufacturers count on licensing fees or maintenance charges to recoup some of that expense.
Another factor is liability, especially regarding EPA compliance, which is a delicate balance between the real world of cost and performance and the paper world fines, penalties, forced recalls, bans etc.
Then there's warranty. Changes in software settings can and likely will affect the machinery's efficiency, wear rates and such.
As I wrote here previously, this is not at all a simple 'good guys vs bad guys' problem.
--
Andrew Muzi
am@yellowjersey.org
Open every day since 1 April, 1971