Right to Repair (R2R) legislation has become a flashpoint in agriculture, far beyond a matter of DIY fixes. At its core, R2R stems from farmers' frustrations with monopolized service channels, limited access to diagnostic tools, and extended repair wait times that cost both money and momentum.
As agricultural equipment has grown more complex, the ability to diagnose and fix it independently has diminished. While several major agricultural OEMs have recently signed agreements aimed at improving access to service materials, challenges remain in practice. Proprietary software, diagnostic tools, and original parts are still often difficult for farmers or independent repair shops to access quickly and affordably, especially during peak season. For farmers, that can mean lost hours, growing reliance on overburdened dealer networks, and rising costs tied to simple issues they once handled themselves.
But the real issue isn’t who performs the repair—it’s how quickly and affordably it gets done. In a business where timing can make or break a season, delayed service means lost productivity, lost income, and mounting frustration. And when OEMs and dealers can’t meet those expectations, farmers will look elsewhere for solutions.
It’s within this context that the R2R movement has gained traction. While the concept has existed for years in consumer electronics and automotive sectors, it has taken on new urgency in agriculture.
Farmers aren’t demanding full control over every repair, nor are they rejecting dealer expertise. What they’re asking for is timely access to information, diagnostics, and parts, so that their operations aren’t brought to a standstill by unnecessary complexity and digital barriers.
A Shifting Legal and Legislative Landscape
Driven by mounting pressure from farmers, advocacy groups, and policymakers, momentum around agricultural Right to Repair has grown significantly in recent years. In 2023, Colorado became the first U.S. state to pass legislation requiring agricultural equipment manufacturers to provide independent repair shops and owners with access to diagnostic tools, software, and parts. The law went into effect in 2024 and has already set a precedent that others are following. Similar bills are under consideration in Michigan, Wisconsin, and several other states.
At the same time, scrutiny has increased at the federal level. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and several states have taken legal action against leading agricultural equipment manufacturers, alleging anti-competitive practices by limiting repair access to only authorized dealers. A U.S. district judge recently ruled that one such manufacturer must face the case—a pivotal moment that signals continued regulatory hardening.
In August 2025, a further court ruling granted that same manufacturer the right to access confidential business data collected by the FTC from several competitors. The judge noted that withholding this information would create a “fundamental disadvantage,” underscoring that Right to Repair is not just a policy debate—it’s a legal battleground with growing implications for how service and support are regulated.
In parallel with these developments, some manufacturers have taken voluntary steps to expand access. Memoranda of Understanding signed in recent years between major equipment makers and industry advocacy groups have pledged to provide independent repair access to manuals, software, and tools. While this signals meaningful progress, many farmers and advocates remain cautious, watching closely to ensure these commitments translate into consistent, practical outcomes in the field.
A Wake-Up Call for OEMs
But, although R2R may feel like a threat, it’s also a signal. One that says: the status quo isn’t working.
When dealers are overburdened, parts are out of stock, and service is delayed, frustration builds. Farmers don’t want to be stuck waiting for a diagnostic code or paying a premium for basic repairs. They want uptime.
And repairability is just one piece of a larger puzzle. The pressures facing the agricultural industry—from climate volatility to rising input costs—have heightened the need for equipment to be more reliable, serviceable, and available than ever before. Any aftermarket model that slows down this responsiveness can begin to look misaligned with the moment.
Beyond Compliance: A Strategic Crossroads
For manufacturers, this presents a fork in the road. The first path is defensive: minimal compliance, limited transparency, and an attempt to preserve traditional structures. The second is more forward-looking: embracing openness not as a concession but as a catalyst for innovation and long-term relevance.
This doesn’t mean abandoning control. It means shifting focus from restriction to collaboration. From manual intervention to predictive insight. From reactive inventory and service models to more connected, data-driven ones that reflect how equipment is actually used, when, and where.
Rising expectations aren’t just coming from the farm. Dealers, too, are navigating tighter margins and greater demand for uptime. If their hands are tied by limited tools or poor visibility into parts availability, relationships begin to strain—both upstream and downstream.
Turning Pressure into Performance
Right to Repair isn’t just a call for service; it’s a call for autonomy. And in the agricultural aftermarket, that autonomy hinges on timely service. Farmers don’t necessarily want to become full-time technicians, but they do want the ability to resolve straightforward issues without red tape, delays, or excessive costs.
For OEMs, this shift represents an opportunity to evolve from gatekeepers to enablers. That starts with providing the tools and information farmers need to take action:
- Accessible repair information
Timely service depends on more than having the right part; it requires the right knowledge. From service manuals and diagnostics to work instructions and bulletins, simplifying access to documentation empowers farmers and independent repair shops to act quickly and safely. - Smart inventory management at the retail level
Even with clear instructions, a missing part can grind operations to a halt. Retail Inventory Management (RIM) programs help OEMs optimize dealer stock levels, improving part availability while easing the capital burden on dealers. - Planning with foresight, not hindsight
Predictive analytics and AI-enabled tools allow OEMs to anticipate seasonal or regional surges in demand, helping ensure critical components are positioned where they’re needed before they’re needed. - A central platform to connect the dots
The ability to access service documentation, parts availability, and diagnostic tools through a single, centralized platform, shared across dealers and accessible to farmers, goes a long way toward improving service speed and transparency. It turns fragmented access into a connected experience, reducing friction across the repair process.
The goal isn’t to replace the dealer network. It’s to strengthen it by enabling faster service, reducing frustration, and improving uptime across the board. When farmers feel supported and empowered, loyalty follows.
Trust Is Built in the Trenches
Ultimately, R2R isn’t just about giving farmers a wrench. It’s about acknowledging their need to stay productive in an increasingly challenging environment. It’s about giving dealers the ability to respond without delay. And it’s about creating a service ecosystem that values responsiveness, transparency, and mutual success.
The legislation may have triggered the conversation, but the broader implications reach much further. Repair access is quickly becoming a litmus test for aftermarket maturity. Those who view it as an opportunity to evolve—not just a risk to mitigate—are likely to find themselves on stronger footing in the seasons ahead.
Right to Repair is just the beginning.The call for faster, more transparent service is echoing across the agricultural aftermarket. Learn how leading OEMs are rethinking planning, inventory, and dealer enablement to meet rising expectations without losing control. |