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On June 15, the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with CLAAS of America, providing even more farmers and ranchers the right to repair their own farm equipment. CLAAS makes combines, tractors, hay equipment, forage harvesters and precision ag equipment.

The MOU follows similar agreements AFBF reached earlier this year with John Deere, CNH Industrial Brands (which includes Case IH and New Holland), AGCO and Kubota. Combined, the five MOUs cover approximately three quarters of the agricultural machinery sold in the United States.

Georgia Farm Bureau President Tom McCall was a member of the AFBF advisory board that has worked on these agreements. 

“The memorandum of understanding with CLAAS demonstrates AFBF’s continued commitment to ensure farmers have access to the tools they need to keep their farms running, and America’s families fed,” said AFBF President Zippy Duvall. “This agreement is another step toward guaranteeing timely repairs for farmers regardless of the equipment they use.”

“CLAAS is delivering on our continuing promise to provide solutions that improve our customers’ businesses, as their success and our success go hand in hand,” said CLAAS Americas Senior Vice President Eric Raby. “We are pleased to announce our MOU with AFBF solidifying for farmers the right to repair.”

The agreement creates a framework for farmers and independent repair facilities in all 50 states and Puerto Rico to access technical manuals, tools and product guides to self-diagnose and self-repair machines, while respecting intellectual property and legislated legal requirements of the manufacturer. It also reconfirms the ability to lease diagnostic tools, purchase products and parts from CLAAS dealers.

Read the MOU here.