As farm equipment has become more sophisticated, the opportunity for operators and independent mechanics to work on that equipment has become increasingly difficult without specialized diagnostic equipment. Many of the major equipment manufacturers limit operators to working only with their authorized dealers for repairs. This can often increase costs for operators and repair wait times during critical times of the year. For hay and forage operations, equipment breakdowns can delay operations and reduce the quality of feedstocks. To help combat this, independent mechanics and operators have pushed for years to secure the right to repair this equipment without going through authorized dealers.
Recently, a federal court approved a preliminary settlement resolving a multidistrict lawsuit brought by independent mechanics and farm operators against John Deere for antitrust violations arising from its practice of limiting repair services to authorized dealers. This settlement would allow repair of John Deere equipment beyond authorized dealers. The settlement is for In Re: Deere & Co. Repair Services Antitrust Litigation (MDL No. 3030).
This lawsuit originated in 2022, when the federal courts consolidated a number of lawsuits brought against John Deere, alleging that Deere had violated the Sherman Antitrust Act by monopolizing the right to repair for farm equipment by allowing it only through authorized dealers. The claims are that Deere restricted access to diagnostic software that would have allowed independent mechanics and operators the ability to handle repairs. These cases were consolidated into one multidistrict litigation in the Northern District of Illinois, creating a class action lawsuit. This lawsuit has survived multiple attempts by John Deere to have it dismissed.
This case was strengthened when the Federal Trade Commission, the Minnesota and Illinois attorneys general filed an antitrust lawsuit against Deere. This lawsuit also claimed that Deere violated the Sherman Antitrust Act by limiting farmers and independent mechanics access to diagnostic software. This case was filed in the Northern District of Illinois in early 2025.
In the class action lawsuit, the plaintiffs and Deere entered into mediation to attempt to settle the lawsuit. The proposed settlement announced on April 6, 2026, is the product of those negotiations through the mediation process.
The preliminary settlement outlines several key points that potential class members should be aware of. The first key term in the proposed settlement is that it will provide injunctive relief preventing Deere from limiting access to diagnostic software. If accepted by the court, this will allow operators and independent mechanics to access software that enables repairs beyond those authorized by Deere dealers. At the same time, Deere will have to make reasonable and fair efforts to provide access to future diagnostic software. This future access would have been made available to operators and independent mechanics as soon as 50% of Deere’s authorized dealers have access to the software.
Access to Deere’s Operations Center PRO Service to perform offline diagnostics will need to be made available by the end of 2026. Deere will also have to provide access to its Dealer Technical Assistance Center (DTAC) Solutions by the end of 2026. Allow the same group to report potential design and manufacturing defects to Deere. This injunction will remain in place for 10 years to allow the plaintiffs and the court to enforce the terms of the injunction.
The settlement will apply to operators who have large agricultural equipment. The preliminary settlement defines this equipment to include large and medium tractors (all 6000, 7000, 8000 and 9000 Series models), combines, cotton pickers, cotton strippers, sugarcane harvesters, tillage, seeding (including planters) and application equipment and sprayers. This definition will depend on electric control units, although that is not defined in the settlement agreement.
Deere will also provide $99 million into a qualified settlement fund for the benefit of the class members. This fund will be used to compensate members of the class who sought repairs from John Deere due to its practices from Jan. 18, 2018, to May 18, 2026. Funds will be distributed based on total labor hours devoted to a class member’s large agricultural equipment. Keep in mind the following deadlines as the summer goes along:
- Mid-July: Class members will get notice of the settlement (this could be by mail or email).
- Sept. 15, 2026: Last date for class members to opt out of the settlement and bring their own claims against John Deere.
- Sept. 22, 2026: Motion for final approval of the settlement will be made to the court.
- Oct. 15, 2026: Last day for class members to file a claim form.
- Oct. 29, 2026: Fairness hearing to finalize final approval on the settlement.
Once the notices go out, you will be directed to a website that will ask for information from the notice to direct you to your claim form. As of writing this in early June, that site is not live but expected to be live by early July when the settlement notices go out.
This preliminary settlement is a significant win for those who have been advocating for the right to repair for some time. This preliminary settlement will give farmers who buy or lease John Deere equipment the ability to either repair it themselves or hire an independent mechanic. This change will significantly reduce wait times when key equipment breaks down during critical times of the year. As we move through the busy growing season, keep in mind the dates listed above if you believe you are a class member to make sure you file paperwork timely in the process.
