Tractor Ownership - Interesting Article

[paulfun9]

Looks to me like the article was slanted more toward the $500,000 ag tractors like the one shown at the top of the story.

Don't know how applicable it is to my 2008 Mahindra 5525 (55 hp engine, 2WD, partially synchronized gear tranny 8F/2R, power steering) or to folks on TBN who own smaller CUTs and SCUTs. Cost with FEL, SSQA, triple rear hydraulic remotes was about $19K. No computers, no GPS or other whistles and bells like you find on the big JD ag tractors.

The problem isn't if it applies to you now! Just like anything else it will apply to you sooner or later if they are left to do it with any group.

 

[MessickFarmEqu]

This is actually a big problem in our industry right now, the philosophy they are talking about goes way beyond a tractor ECU. For example, some companies are suggesting that they may own the data coming off yield sensors. They would want to say that to mask the fact that their performance is not as good as another brand, or because they want to sell yield data to other data aggregation companies, etc. Lots of reasons, none of which are putting the end user first.

 

[mike69440]

Read what John Deere thinks about tractor owners these days.

We Can't Let John Deere Destroy the Very Idea of Ownership | WIRED


Gives onw pause for thought after paying out big bucks for the tractor - arrogance at it's worst.

This is the same name of a company that made tractors during the Great Depression who told the Banks they did not want the farmers tractors repossessed, & that the tractors did them no good but could help save the farm. Ever wonder why old time farmers proudly wear a JD cap?

Now the JD corporate heads who advocate this crap to that level of "protection" are just a bunch losers. There are other ways to protect intellectual property

 

[skyhook]

I don't see this holding water in court.
Any information held or gained on these systems should be "sold" or bought off the client.
There are also ways of "encrypting" info in these computer storage chips.
Think "Microsoft", do they also own your computer.

 

[RPW]

This isn't new. Think TV computer, vehicle etc. You purchase the right to use the software. The only software you can modify legally is public domain.

 

[rd_macgregor]

I disagree about right to modify. As long as you don't try to sell (or otherwise profit from) the modifications that you make, you should be able to tinker with the software or hardware all you want. Of course, this also means bearing the consequences of that tinkering, up to and including having the manufacturer void warrantees.