Posted on 03/22/2017 1:08:15 PM PDT by Rebelbase
To avoid the draconian locks that John Deere puts on the tractors they buy, farmers throughout America's heartland have started hacking their equipment with firmware that's cracked in Eastern Europe and traded on invite-only, paid online forums.
Tractor hacking is growing increasingly popular because John Deere and other manufacturers have made it impossible to perform "unauthorized" repair on farm equipment, which farmers see as an attack on their sovereignty and quite possibly an existential threat to their livelihood if their tractor breaks at an inopportune time.
"When crunch time comes and we break down, chances are we don't have time to wait for a dealership employee to show up and fix it," Danny Kluthe, a hog farmer in Nebraska, told his state legislature earlier this month. "Most all the new equipment [requires] a download [to fix]."
(Excerpt) Read more at motherboard.vice.com ...
If you guys were looking around Charlotte, NC I could point you to my dad and uncle.
They buy/rebuild/refurb/salvage older model tractors. Almost all Massey Fergusons. They had quite a few large and small the last time I looked.
I think these 1100s are still there.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lSouzl1erxo
I’m a fairly good mechanic and looking at this modern era stuff, most of it is beyond me.
The days of changing one’s own tires are probably numbered. Someone will figure out a way to make it impractical.
I keep my old Jeeps and a Blazer around that I work on to varying degrees.
Modern era stuff is just too complicated. I love my 16 Tacoma but it’s the last new one I will probably buy for many years if I can help it.
“When crunch time comes and we break down, chances are we don’t have time to wait for a dealership employee to show up and fix it
= = =
Been there, done that - - -
Bailing wire, ‘Farmer Bolts’, Crescent wrench and it’s back working again!
We had a late 70s Cub Cadet mower that was as tough as it came.
My dad bought another in the mid 80s that had hydrostatic drive. It wasn’t anywhere near as good the direct gear drive all-manual tank from a few years before.
That is our problem, most of the used tractors are in the Midwest and East, we are in New Mexico.
“Thanks for posting.
I’m glad to hear this.
This, locking you, the owners out, is suppose to be a trend of the future.
It must be stopped, now!”
Why should tractors be different?The Automobile manufacturers are doing the same thing.You won’t even be able to do a tuneup on these new vehicles.
I guess it’s all an argument to keep your old machines up and running.
No, it's a giant FU to the current JD, who deserve every bit of opprobrium hurled at 'em.
Overpriced everything, and now this.
If/When this old '89 318 finally dies, I'll go back to a push mower before buying anything Deere.
The days of changing ones own tires are probably numbered. Someone will figure out a way to make it impractical.
= = =
Or make it illegal, due to atmospheric rubber dust pollution and safety issues.
Yes, they could really cultivate a following.
Whenever I get to thinkin' that I might be a fair mechanic, I read something like that and get instant humility .. LOL !
Dad and esteemed uncle have had some far off buyers from around the country in a few cases.
There was one international years ago. It involved a CAT loader that I was peddling on Ebay for them. There was this very nice fellow from England that grew up in Africa that was buying equipment for the mines.
He was after stuff that wasn’t loaded with electronics. The loader was a late 70s model if I remember right.
My dad and uncle pulled most of the maintenance and repair themselves on the small fleet of construction and farm equipment. This loader never gave any trouble.
The guy was impressed with everything. His employers wanted an inspection from a certified mechanic which was understandable.
They were on the highway to take it to a local heavy equipment guy that was deemed good enough to sign off. About halfway there and inexplicably, the loader overheated and cracked the head.
Sadly no sale. The guy from London was bummed too. We hated it for him.
Yup. Even driving!
Your post is probably more likely.
With a flat tire, some kind of app will be needed to unlock the spare tire and jack, a safety vest and googles with RFID becomes integral to the app that reports your status. Don’t use them and get a fine or worse.
Mine is very early 80’s. It was the same model as the late 70’s. It has hyrostatic drive but has a driveshaft from motor to rear end. Rear wheels have 5 bolts. The ones made now are very cheap. Also can’t get new replacement motors. I have a spare motor. Hopefully if outlasts me.
I have a suspicion that this is to bypass a “kill” switch when the farmers don’t pay their lease on the machinery much the same as a GPS kill switch on cars when you don’t pay your loan.
HOWEVER! If it is indeed a case of repairing or optimizing owned equipment I’m all for it. Not that I would ever do this... But I heard you can disable the ridiculous and stupid UREA system on modern diesel pickups. Again I would NEVER recommend disabling the urea system on a diesel engine if you are a diesel truck or auto owner.
9-year-old Ford Focus. Bought new. Muffler needed replacing. Dealer cost: $1k!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mechanics at the dealer took pity on us and recommended an indie mechanic about 20 minutes away. Turned out to just need a new tailpipe. $40 total!!! At the dealer, it’s the entire assembly or nothing.
Had other issues, finally took it to a mechanic friend: we paid wholesale for parts, his work was cheap enough we tipped him $50 and we still saved about another $800.
I’m all for it.
I like to have my old beater projects around to remind myself that I can do other things besides run a keyboard/fixing technology.
Where I am which is a manufacturing facility, I hang with the maintenance and repair unit guys a fair amount. I used to do similar stuff and I get refreshers on stuff and sometimes learn something new.
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