Farmers hacking tractor software to fix them

green 4 acres · #1 03-23-2017, 11:09 AM

I just read it on yahoo news
DEERE has software on the ecu that only they can work on the tractor and then get it running again . Mitsu had /has similar emobilizer ecu .
deere's thought is only they can repair todays complicated machines correctly

J-Mech · #2 03-23-2017, 11:37 AM

This has been discussed about 3 times on here before. You must have missed it.....

john hall · #3 03-23-2017, 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by J-Mech

This has been discussed about 3 times on here before. You must have missed it.....

It popped up on another "group" I am a member of yesterday. Apparently the current discussion is not about who owns the technology as in past discussions I read. Now it appears Deere is trying to prosecute (in Europe) folks that have hacked into their software. Don't quote me, just relaying what I read from a non-official news source. I'll never own anything that "modern" or work at a dealership turning wrenches on anything that high-tech---so it doesn't matter to me.
My opinion is its a great big pile of what the cows ate yesterday.

Randy Littrell · #4 03-25-2017, 10:34 AM

Its headed that way on cars too. Some of the new cars you can't even check the level of engine oil or tranny fluid.

We have a Toyota Tacoma in the shop right now that had 2 windows broke out and the radio stolen. They did some body damage and cut the wiring harness in the dash.

Radio, wiring harness, and other damage is gonna be around 10 grand! Yup, you read that right. Just the radio is $3800 bucks!

The cost of things has gotten out of control. I see a day when you can only lease cars and tractors. You won't be able to buy them.

Randy

J-Mech · #5 03-25-2017, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Randy Littrell

Some of the new cars you can't even check the level of engine oil or tranny fluid.

Tranny's have been that way since the late 90's...... on GM cars. Nothing new.

And you can check it. It's just not with a dipstick.

DieselDoctor · #6 03-25-2017, 02:12 PM

The buying public could have the final say. Keep your old trucks and tractors running and refuse to purchase this new crap. No sales equals no profits and you know what all the mfg's are interested in ---- PROFIT.

Jeff in Pa · #7 03-25-2017, 08:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DieselDoctor

The buying public could have the final say. Keep your old trucks and tractors running and refuse to purchase this new crap. No sales equals no profits and you know what all the mfg's are interested in ---- PROFIT.

The prices of the older ( non computer ) JD has risen as demand for the older machines have been purchased. Some model are being brought back from Europe to the USA.

~~~~~~~~~~~

I can see JD point of controlling the maintenance but their "we'll get there when we get there" wording in the purchase contract shoots themselves in the foot.

The "fine print" does NOT hold them responsible for lost crops regardless of how long they take to fix the equipment.

Want to get a farmer to develop a nervous twitch? Tell him the simple part he needs to repair his very expensive tractor won't be installed for a week or two during the prime harvest window.

I'm backing the farmers on this.

green 4 acres · #8 03-25-2017, 08:42 PM

My bad ,I remember it now
Yes mercedes has had a complicated way of trans service for 20
yrs , ferds are might intense to service too and older cadillacs made Chevy techs cringe. Olsmobile refused to sell some of the toronado frt. Axle parts unless the installer could prove he had training on it

john hall · #9 03-26-2017, 08:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeff in Pa

Want to get a farmer to develop a nervous twitch? Tell him the simple part he needs to repair his very expensive tractor won't be installed for a week or two during the prime harvest window.

I'm backing the farmers on this.

Heard day say more than once that farmers would get upset when they had lawn mowers and air cooled engines in front of tractors they needed in the field NOW. He told a story of a farmer that had a tractor clutch to go out. Farmer drove it to town and right in the bay, the two best mechanics dove on it, changed the clutch and away the guy went--engine block was still warm. Don't know if they ran the flywheel down the street to get faced, swaped it, left it alone, whatever---they just did what had to be done to get the guy back in the field. FWIW this was a smaller farm tractor, not something in the 100hp club.

J-Mech · #10 03-26-2017, 02:22 PM

Here's my whole take on it..... The farmers who actually buy the green junk and sign the contract, then want to complain about it are idiots. Last time I checked, it's still a free marked here in the good ol US of A. If you don't like Deere's deal, THEN DON'T BUY A DEERE!!!!!

Seems like such a simple solution. Maybe no one thought of it....