GFB News Magazine

Farmers with red CASE IH or blue New Holland farm equipment can now repair their own machinery or take it to an independent mechanic.

The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) and CNH Industrial brands Case IH and New Holland signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) March 9 that gives farmers the right to repair their own equipment. This MOU follows a similar agreement AFBF signed with John Deere in January.

“Our members urged us to find a private-sector solution that gives them access to repair their own equipment. I’m pleased months of discussions have again paid off,” said AFBF President Zippy Duvall. “Farmers and ranchers are more dependent on technology than ever before, so it’s critical they have access to the tools to keep things running on the farm.”

The MOU sets a framework for farmers and independent repair facilities in all 50 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.

“We understand the work our customers do is time-sensitive and critical for a safe and abundant food and fiber supply,” said Sally Johnson, vice president, New Holland Agriculture North America. “This agreement is the next step in delivering on New Holland’s promise to better serve our customers in a way that helps them safely and effectively maintain their equipment.”

The MOU respects intellectual property rights and recognizes the need to ensure safety controls and emission systems are not altered. CNH Industrial and AFBF will meet semiannually to review the agreement and address concerns.

“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,” said Kurt Coffey, vice president, Case IH North America. “As a farmer, Farm Bureau member and brand leader, this MOU is a positive step forward in continuing to put the customer at the center of everything Case IH does.”

Read the MOU at www.gfb.ag/casenhmou. Find information about CASE IH self-repair at www.gfb.ag/cihselfrepair. Find information about New Holland self-repair at  www.gfb.ag/nhselfrepair. 

Photo courtesy of New Holland.