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 access to repair software and technical resources comparable to those available to authorized Deere dealers. The proposed order is for ten years. However, the FTC’s case page still lists the matter as pending, and the available sources do not establish that a judge has approved the order. The FTC’s claims that Deere’s practices increased repair costs and caused delays remain allegations, not findings after trial.
What happened in the FTC’s Deere case?
The FTC and the attorneys general of Arizona, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin announced the settlement on July 8, 2026. It resolves a lawsuit the FTC and Illinois and Minnesota filed in January 2025 in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. The FTC describes the proposed settlement as an agreement to expand farmers’ and independent repair providers’ access to Deere repair resources. FTC settlement announcement FTC complaint announcement
The distinction between allegation and finding matters. The FTC’s January 2025 complaint alleged that Deere restricted access to a fully functional repair tool and that this contributed to higher repair costs, service delays, and dependence on authorized dealers. Those are the FTC’s allegations; the reviewed sources do not report a trial judgment establishing them as fact.
What did the FTC accuse Deere of?
The FTC said Deere made its interactive Service ADVISOR repair tool available only to authorized dealers, while its Customer Service ADVISOR tool could not perform all repairs. The complaint alleged that this left farmers and independent repair providers without equivalent access to the software needed for some electronic repairs, allowing Deere to maintain monopoly power in the market for repairs requiring the fully functional tool. The FTC also alleged that this arrangement raised costs and caused delays. FTC complaint announcement
Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchWindows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallThe FTC’s complaint announcement does not provide a specific repair-cost increase to quantify. It refers generally to higher costs and to Deere’s profits, but does not establish a dollar amount by which an individual repair became more expensive.
What repair resources would the settlement cover?
The FTC says the proposed stipulated order would require Deere to provide farmers and independent repair providers resources equivalent to those available to authorized Deere dealers, on fair and reasonable terms. Covered capabilities and information include:
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.
- Software functions for diagnosing and repairing equipment, including reading, clearing, and resetting electronic fault codes.
- Reprogramming electronic components, including pairing newly installed parts with a machine.
- Restarting equipment after an emissions-related shutdown, commonly called “limp mode.”
- 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 makes them available to more than half of its authorized U.S. dealer network.
The settlement also describes obligations for dealer instructions, public and customer notices, reporting, and oversight. Dealers would be directed to support the resources and not discriminate or retaliate against farmers or independent providers for purchasing or using them instead of dealer repair services. FTC settlement announcement
Can farmers repair John Deere equipment themselves now?
The announced settlement is intended to expand access to resources for farmers who repair their own equipment and for independent repair providers. But the FTC says the stipulated order has force of law when approved and signed by the district court judge. Its case page, last updated July 8, 2026, still labels the case “Pending,” so the available sources do not confirm that court approval has occurred. FTC case page
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
The announcement describes what the order would require; it does not establish that every covered tool or capability is already available to every farmer. The proposed term is ten years, with the possibility of extension if Deere violates the order. FTC settlement announcement
Has Deere admitted wrongdoing?
No. The filed settlement document says Deere entered the agreement without admitting a violation of law. A settlement can impose obligations without being a court finding that the complaint’s allegations were proven. The document also identifies Operations Center PRO Service as a repair tool Deere had recently launched. Filed stipulated-order document
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.
Deere described the agreement as “good news for our customers and for the future of how Deere equipment is supported.” The company’s vice president of aftermarket and customer support said it reinforced Deere’s work on more flexible repair options. Those statements express Deere’s position; they are not an admission that the FTC’s allegations were true. Associated Press, July 8, 2026
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How to understand the case’s legal status
| Stage | What it means here |
|---|---|
| FTC complaint, January 2025 | The FTC and two states alleged restrictions on repair-tool access and resulting costs and delays; the allegations were not a trial finding. FTC complaint announcement |
| Settlement announcement, July 2026 | The FTC and five states announced a proposed stipulated order setting out access and conduct obligations for Deere. Deere did not admit a legal violation. FTC settlement announcement Filed stipulated-order document |
| Court approval | The FTC says the stipulated order takes legal effect when the judge approves and signs it. The FTC case page last updated July 8, 2026 lists the case as pending; the reviewed sources do not establish approval. FTC case page |
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 description of the settlement’s purpose, not confirmation of court approval or of how access will work in practice. FTC settlement announcement
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
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
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
