Farmers who paid to repair certain John Deere machines could be eligible for compensation under a proposed $99 million antitrust settlement, but accepting that money may also mean giving up the ability to pursue separate claims later.
That possibility has prompted some right-to-repair advocates to tell equipment owners to review the settlement terms closely before deciding whether to file by Dec. 31.
Here's what to know
Under the proposed settlement, eligible class members are customers who paid Deere-authorized dealers in the United States for repairs on John Deere large agricultural equipment between Jan. 10, 2018, and May 18, 2026, according to the Iowa Capital Dispatch.
The suit alleged that Deere & Company used limits on access to important repair tools to push customers toward authorized dealers for diagnostics and service. Deere has denied the allegations.
Class members have four possible responses. They can submit a claim by Dec. 31 and seek compensation based on the total labor hours spent on qualifying repairs, or they can exclude themselves from the settlement by Dec. 4, which would result in no payment but preserve the ability to file their own claims later.
They can also object to the settlement by Dec. 4 and ask the court not to approve it. Doing nothing would mean receiving no payment while still losing the ability to sue Deere later over the same issue.
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The court is set to hold a fairness hearing on Jan. 19, 2027, at 10 a.m. in federal court for the Northern District of Illinois.
More background
The dispute is part of the bigger right-to-repair debate affecting farm machinery and technology companies. One of the main issues in those fights is whether owners and independent repair shops should have access to the software, diagnostic systems, and tools needed to fix products without going through manufacturer-approved repair channels.
For farmers, the consequences can be significant. A breakdown during planting or harvest can hurt productivity and income if dealership-only diagnostics slow repairs during some of the most important periods of the year.
Willie Cade, a board member of the Repair Association, said many farmers may find it difficult to estimate repair labor hours over such a long period. He also said class members still do not know how many people will eventually divide the settlement money after legal fees and other costs are taken out.
"Which is like, really, you want me to make a decision on something that I have no idea about?" Cade said.
What can be done?
The deal includes relief beyond cash payments. According to the settlement website, Deere must "provide customers and (independent repair shops) access, on fair and reasonable terms, to digital tools required for the maintenance, diagnosis, and repair" of eligible equipment. Class members do not need to take any action to receive that injunctive relief, which the settlement values between $293.9 million and $648 million.
This matter is separate from a lawsuit involving the Federal Trade Commission and John Deere, although both relate to the conflict over repair access. Several states, including Iowa, have also introduced right-to-repair measures for agricultural equipment.
John Deere has said it is "dedicated to supporting customers' ability and access to maintain, diagnose, and repair their equipment safely, efficiently and conveniently."
Where can I learn more?
This dispute doesn't stand alone. These stories examine the settlement fight, farmers' frustration, and Deere's broader business decisions.
• Some farmers pushed back against the settlement as they weighed payments against future legal rights.
• John Deere agreed to pay farmers nearly $100 million to resolve claims over repair restrictions.
• John Deere also signaled change with an electric riding mower for quieter lawn care.
For equipment owners weighing whether to accept the deal, that extra context matters. The Deere fight also points to bigger questions about repair access, control, and what ownership really means.
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