The John Deere Right-to-Repair Fight Is Over. Here's What It Means for Your Shop.

For years, independent repair shops and farmers have been locked out of the same diagnostic software and tools that John Deere's authorized dealers use. That changed on July 8, 2026, when Deere settled a landmark antitrust lawsuit brought by the FTC and five state attorneys general.

The case, filed in January 2025, accused Deere of monopolizing farm equipment repair by restricting access to diagnostic tools and repair software. Under the settlement, Deere is now legally required — for the next 10 years, under FTC and state oversight — to give independent repair providers the same diagnostic software, repair manuals, and service tools it provides to its own dealer network. It's the second right-to-repair win for Deere customers this year, following a separate $99 million class-action settlement with farmers back in April.

In short: the legal barrier that kept independent shops out of Deere repair work is gone. The opportunity now is making sure your shop has the right tools to actually take advantage of it.

Gearing Up for Deere Work

Here's where TOPDON's diagnostic lineup comes in. These are the tools we'd point you to first if you're expanding into agricultural equipment repair.

TOPDON Phoenix Max + Scope ULTRA

This is the platform to build a Deere-ready toolbox around. The Phoenix Max is TOPDON's flagship OE-level scan tool: a 13.3" display, topology mapping that lays out every vehicle module at a glance, and the Phoenix MDCI Pro communication interface supporting DoIP, CAN-FD, and RP1210 protocols. It’s the kind of coverage that matters once you're working on equipment more complex than a standard passenger vehicle. It also ships with two years of automotive software updates and a full year of heavy-duty software coverage already built in, so shops get a head start on commercial and ag diagnostics right out of the box.

TOPDON HDKIT Heavy-Duty Software & Cable Set

The Phoenix Max gets you the platform and the software; the HDKIT is what plugs it into the equipment. It's a complete set of proprietary heavy-duty adapter cables, with truck, bus, and agricultural connectors,  plus an HD software activation code and a durable storage case. Pair it with the Phoenix Max (or Phoenix Xlink, Smart, or Remote) and you can run engine, transmission, ABS, and body controller diagnostics, pull live data streams, and handle bi-directional controls and module coding on Deere equipment, all from the same interface you already use for everyday shop work.

TOPDON BT600 12V/24V Battery Tester

Large ag equipment frequently runs on 24V electrical systems rather than the 12V setups found in passenger vehicles, and a lot of general-purpose battery testers simply don't cover that range. The BT600 handles both 12V and 24V cranking, charging, and alternator load tests, with a 3.5" screen and a built-in printer for generating records on the spot, which is useful if you're documenting diagnostics for a fleet manager or farm owner.

TOPDON V4000 HD 4000A Jump Starter

Ag equipment runs big diesel engines, and not every jump starter is rated for them. The V4000 HD is built for gas and diesel engines up to 16L, making it a practical addition for shops that need to get large equipment running again without hauling out a full-size booster pack.

A Bonus for Diagnosing the Hard-to-See Stuff

If you're already stocking up, it's worth adding a TOPDON thermal camera, like the TC002C DUO or TC005, to the cart. Overheating connections, failing hydraulic components, and electrical hot spots on ag equipment aren't always obvious with a multimeter alone. A quick thermal scan can point you straight to the problem area before you start pulling panels.

With the legal fight settled, the tools to back it up are what matter now. Shop the full TOPDON lineup at CBMtools.com and get your shop ready for the next generation of ag equipment repair.