Farm Groups Advocationg for Right to Repair Law
Monday, April 1st, 2019 -- 8:04 AM
(WRN) -A number of farmers groups are advocating for a Right To Repair law that would make it easier and less expensive to keep farm equipment running.As political campaigns start to get into action, a number of candidates are advocating for Right to Repair rules for farmers. Bobbie Wilson from the Wisconsin Farmers Union says those laws allow farmers and independent mechanics to work on tractors and other equipment without relying on the dealership.
"In some cases, taking equipment elsewhere is a violation of the warranty."
Wilson says they want to open up repair services to farmers and technicians without requiring the manufacturer to do the repairs.
"Any simple repair that a farmer can do on their own, or it could be something more complicated that requires more advanced tools."
Wilson says farmers should be able to treat their tractors and equipment the same way that you would treat a car.
"Right to Repair legislation allows farmers and independent mechanics to access the tools and diagnostic software they need to repair equipment so they don't have to rely on the dealer for the duration of that equipment's life."
In some cases, manufacturers can even disable a tractor entirely if a farmer makes a simple repair without authorization. Wilson says that can unfairly raise prices and increase the costs to small operations like family farms.
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