The Federal Trade Commission and five states announced a settlement with Deere & Company on July 8, 2026, that would give farmers and independent repair providers broader access to Deere repair software, manuals, and technical information for 10 years. The case began with FTC allegations that Deere restricted access to tools needed for electronic repairs, contributing to higher costs and delays. The settlement is not a trial verdict, and the FTC case page still listed the matter as pending when last updated on July 8, 2026.
What the FTC alleged about Deere repair costs
In a lawsuit announced on January 15, 2025, the FTC alleged that Deere limited farmers’ and independent repair providers’ access to the tools needed to complete repairs on Deere equipment. The agency said Deere reserved Service ADVISOR, its fully functional interactive repair tool, for authorized dealers, while Customer Service ADVISOR could not perform all repairs. The FTC alleged that these restrictions preserved Deere’s power in the market for repairs requiring the fully functional tool and led to higher costs, service delays, and greater reliance on authorized dealers. Those are allegations in the complaint, not findings made after a trial. Read the FTC’s complaint announcement.
The FTC filed the case with the attorneys general of Illinois and Minnesota. Arizona, Michigan, and Wisconsin later joined the settlement coalition, bringing the participating states named in the July 2026 announcement to five: Arizona, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. The case is in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.
What the proposed settlement would give farmers and independent mechanics
The FTC’s July 8, 2026 announcement describes a stipulated order requiring Deere to make repair resources available to farmers and independent repair providers on fair and reasonable terms. The resources are to be equivalent to those available to authorized Deere dealers and include:
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1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches- Software functions for diagnosis and repair, including reading, clearing, and resetting electronic fault codes.
- Reprogramming electronic components, including pairing newly installed parts with equipment.
- Restarting equipment after an emissions-related shutdown, often called “limp mode.”
- Access to technical manuals, troubleshooting solutions—including product improvement programs and DTAC solutions—and other useful information for diagnosis, maintenance, repair, or upgrades.
- Comparable or reasonably necessary future repair resources once Deere has made them available to more than half of its authorized U.S. dealer network.
The agreement also calls for Deere to instruct dealers to promote and support these resources and not to discriminate or retaliate against customers or independent repair providers for buying or using them instead of dealer repair services. It includes public and customer notices, reporting, and oversight requirements. The order’s stated term is 10 years, with the possibility of an extension if Deere violates it. See the FTC’s settlement announcement for the described terms.
Has a judge approved the Deere settlement?
The FTC announced a settlement and proposed stipulated order; the materials reviewed do not establish that a judge has approved it. The FTC case page, last updated July 8, 2026, labels the case “Pending.” The agency says a stipulated order has force of law when it is approved and signed by the district court judge. Until that approval is established, the settlement’s requirements should be described as proposed rather than as a final court order. Check the FTC case page for its status and timeline.
Rank #2
- COMPLETE 3-PIECE TOOL SET – Includes 2 different flywheel turning tools and 1 metal timing pin, providing the commonly required tools for rotating the flywheel and positioning No. 1 cylinder at top dead center during applicable engine service procedures.
- High-Quality Materials: The DJ002-1 and LOCKING PIN DJ002-5 (METAL) are made from high-quality materials for durability, strict quality requirements.
- COMPATIBLE ENGINE MODELS – Designed for select John Deere 4024, 4039, 4045, 4239, 4276, 6059, 6068, 6076, 6081, 6090, 6105, 6125, 6135, 6359 and 6619 diesel engines. Always verify the flywheel tooth count and housing guide-bore diameter before ordering.
- TWO FLYWHEEL CONFIGURATIONS – One turning tool is intended for a 142-tooth flywheel with a 1.04 in (26.5 mm) guide bore, while the other is intended for a 129-tooth flywheel with a 1.18 in (29.9 mm) guide bore. The included timing pin assists with TDC positioning.
- REFERENCE PART NUMBERS – Aftermarket alternatives to JDE83, JDE81-1/JDG820 and JDE81-4 service tools, designed for servicing compatible engine configurations.
Does Deere admit wrongdoing?
No. The filed settlement document says Deere entered the agreement without admitting a violation of law. It also identifies Operations Center PRO Service as a repair tool Deere had recently launched. The agreement sets out obligations, but it is not an adjudicated finding that the FTC’s allegations were proven. Read the filed stipulated-order document.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What Deere and the FTC said
Deere described the agreement as “good news for our customers and for the future of how Deere equipment is supported.” Denver Caldwell, the company’s vice president of aftermarket and customer support, said it reinforced Deere’s work on more flexible repair options. These statements reflect Deere’s position, not an admission that the allegations were true. The Associated Press reported Deere’s response.
Recommended Free Tools
Rank #3
- Part Number: M162737
- Application Models: Compatible with John Deere X300 X300R X304 X305R X310 X320 X324 X330 X350 X350R X354 X360 X370 X380 X384 X390 X394 Lawn and Garden Tractors
- Compatible with John Deere X500 X530 X534 X540 X570 X580 X584 X590 X710 X730 X734 X738 X739 X750 X754 X758 X940 X948 X949 Lawn and Garden Tractors
- Specification: Length-340mm (13.39inch)
- Direct replacement with accurate dimensions and OEM quality & function
FTC Bureau of Competition Director Daniel Guarnera said the settlement “enables farmers to do what they’ve done for generations—fix their own tractors and other farm equipment—without having to pay an authorized John Deere dealer to do it for them.” That is the FTC official’s characterization of the agreement; the settlement’s implementation and court approval are separate questions.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Part Number: JDE80
- Used to remove and install tractor starter motor bolt on the back of specific engine models
- Allows to easily access that hard to reach back bolts on the tractor starters/motors
- Direct use, fits 9/16" SAE bolts hidden on the back of the motor
- Used for John Deere 3029, 4024, 4039, 4045, 5030, 6059, 6068, 6076, 6081, 6090, 6105, 6125, 6135, and 6466 tractor's engines
Rank #4
- This kit contains 12 sizes (2 pcs each size) of a tear drop shaped plastic ring used to help in the removal of the gland in some John Deere cylinders.
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