The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) and CNH Industrial brands New Holland and Case IH have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that gives North American farmers the right to repair their own farm equipment.
The agreement, which was confirmed at the 2023 Commodity Classic exhibition held at Orlando, Florida, ensures farmers and independent repair facilities have access to diagnostic and repair codes, manuals, product service demonstrations and customer training.
The MOU also enables farmers to purchase diagnostic tools and receive manufacturer assistance when ordering parts for CNH Industrial branch equipment.
“We understand the work our customers do is time-sensitive and critical for a safe and abundant food and fibre supply,” the vice president of New Holland Agriculture North America, Sally Johnson, said. “This agreement is the next step in delivering on New Holland’s promise to better serve our customers, and in a way that helps them safely and effectively manage and maintain their equipment uptime.”
“This agreement underscores CNH Industrial’s commitment to empowering our customers by providing them with resources and tools that allow them to safely self-repair their equipment in a timely matter,” the vice president of Case IH North America, Kurt Coffey, added.
“We know that agricultural equipment is one of the most significant investments for the American farmer. As a farmer, Farm Bureau member myself and brand leader, this MOU is a positive step forward in continuing to put the customer at the center of everything Case IH does.”
The MOU sets a framework for farmers and independent repair facilities in all 50 US states and Puerto Rico to access CNH Industrial brand manuals, tools, product guides and information to self-diagnose and self-repair machines, as well as support from CNH Industrial brands to directly purchase diagnostic tools and order products and parts.
The MOU respects intellectual property rights and recognises the need to ensure safety controls and emission systems are not altered. CNH Industrial and AFBF will meet semi-annually to review the agreement and address ongoing concerns.
The AFBF board of directors unanimously approved the MOU.
