[randomdata]

I also work in ag, and own John Deere equipment. Is anyone truly asking for source code? I've read that narrative here and there, but it seems what is really being sought after is access to the tools and manuals that the authorized dealers have access to. The service techs repairing these machines aren't going to be modifying the code either, and they don't need to.

As an aside, I remember the last time I had a John Deere tech out. Even for him to access the service manual (to fix a mechanical part), which was fundamentally not much more than a simple search tool that displays PDFs, required a surprising level of authorization to access each document, with everything encrypted. It seemed a little extreme just to get a simple diagram. I can sort of see why some worry about where the company is headed.

[nas]

I think documentation is the right way to handle this. Require enough documentation that 3rd party repair shops can fix the machines. Even if they can't do much with the embedded controllers, at least document the sensors and the wiring. Otherwise, these machines are completely useless without the manufacturer and their dealers.