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littlemissmartypants

(22,418 posts)
Wed Mar 22, 2017, 11:09 PM Mar 2017

Why American Farmers Are Hacking Their Tractors With Ukrainian Firmware

If you have a John Deere you may want to read this. More at link.

https://motherboard.vice.com/en_us/article/why-american-farmers-are-hacking-their-tractors-with-ukrainian-firmware

Why American Farmers Are Hacking Their Tractors With Ukrainian Firmware

JASON KOEBLER
Mar 21 2017, 4:17pm

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A dive into the thriving black market of John Deere tractor hacking.

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]."


https://motherboard.vice.com/en_us/article/why-american-farmers-are-hacking-their-tractors-with-ukrainian-firmware

♡lmsp
9 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Why American Farmers Are Hacking Their Tractors With Ukrainian Firmware (Original Post) littlemissmartypants Mar 2017 OP
John Deere needs to dial back on the greed, and instead work hard to deliver "just in time" parts MADem Mar 2017 #1
Did you read the article? eom littlemissmartypants Mar 2017 #2
Yes, I did. Did you read my response? I am suggesting that JD change their ways and end this MADem Mar 2017 #3
Yes I did. littlemissmartypants Mar 2017 #4
There was a point in the late 80's when servicing cars went through a similar battle.. Ford_Prefect Mar 2017 #5
i'd do it in a heartbeat. mopinko Mar 2017 #6
And even if they required you to sign a "license agreement" with LEGAL ramifications, MADem Mar 2017 #7
Question: Do you know why John Deere's are Green? gay texan Mar 2017 #8
Message auto-removed Name removed Oct 2017 #9

MADem

(135,425 posts)
1. John Deere needs to dial back on the greed, and instead work hard to deliver "just in time" parts
Wed Mar 22, 2017, 11:22 PM
Mar 2017

to farmers who need them. Working with them rather than trying to gouge them is what develops brand loyalty. If they feel good about the product, they'll buy that accessory or other, related, product from JD.

IF they feel like they're getting the shaft, though, they'll be less inclined to splash out on new equipment when they're flush.

MADem

(135,425 posts)
3. Yes, I did. Did you read my response? I am suggesting that JD change their ways and end this
Thu Mar 23, 2017, 12:01 AM
Mar 2017

absurd "license agreement" shit, and become more of a partner with the farmers, rather than a gouger. If they do that, they will build brand loyalty and be partners rather than adversaries. Over the long haul, they'll have a better business model.


littlemissmartypants

(22,418 posts)
4. Yes I did.
Thu Mar 23, 2017, 12:47 AM
Mar 2017

This response makes more sense to me. But I am not going to hold my breath on JD salesmen changing. Great ideas though, MADem. Funny thing is that every where I look there's a JD and they're corporate types laughing all the way to the bank while the farmers, rightfully so, imo, solve their own problems pragmatically.

Great ideas though, MADem.

♡lmsp

Consumer Affairs
JD complaints here:

https://www.consumeraffairs.com/homeowners/deere.html

Ford_Prefect

(7,830 posts)
5. There was a point in the late 80's when servicing cars went through a similar battle..
Thu Mar 23, 2017, 01:42 AM
Mar 2017

The new cars had computers controlling engine management and AC/heater systems. If you had the correct connecting cables and the Dealer only diagnostic tools you could read the trouble codes and diagnose problems. The thing was ONLY the dealers had the training and the tools to do this so only the dealers could work on the newest cars. This cut out the independent shops and mechanics.(I was one at the time).
As things progressed there began to be a market in diagnostic tools/ software and the model specific connectors required to read the systems. Eventually the big tool companies like Snap-On brought out diagnostic stations and connectors to do it for every car. It made sense for the manufactures not to alienate their customers by retaining such control over how and where individual cars were serviced.

Hopefully John Deere will come to a similar understanding regarding customer relations. But who knows? Greed is a powerful addiction.

mopinko

(69,811 posts)
6. i'd do it in a heartbeat.
Thu Mar 23, 2017, 10:01 AM
Mar 2017

not that i would buy a brand new machine, as i would likely buy one used (not in the market, just saying).
either way, i would hack that sucker in a new york minute.
it's hard enough to be a farmer w/o getting screwed by the guys you depend on to do your job.

MADem

(135,425 posts)
7. And even if they required you to sign a "license agreement" with LEGAL ramifications,
Thu Mar 23, 2017, 05:55 PM
Mar 2017

the way to get around that is to have a spouse/family member buy the thing, and "sell it second-hand" to the person doing the hacking.

They're going about this the wrong way. Stupid. Greedy.

Response to littlemissmartypants (Original post)

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