[jet_32951]

Not just repair hostility: especially JD sought to wall in their garden a decade or so ago. They went all-in on Canbus/SAE J1939 and used the proprietary word spec to keep out other manufacturers of ag automation. I worked at Trimble Navigation during that time, remember it well. Most manufacturers were still using direct hydraulic controls then. Not JD. Evidently things have just got worse since.

[JamisonM]

Isn't using J1939 just an example of them embracing an industry standard? That stuff is everywhere now, right?

[jet_32951]

It is how you embrace J1939 that makes the difference. In a J1939 dataframe two data words are defined: one open, the other proprietary. The proprietary word can be, and is with JD's implementation, encrypted. Therefore, anything actuated by the proprietary word is operable iff you have the key.

[JamisonM]

Thanks!

[maxerickson]

You seem to be saying electronic controls are bad. Why?

[sandworm101]

They are not innately bad, but they are implemented in a bad way. A system of hydraulic control lines cannot be locked behind copyright. They can be physically fixed. A cracked manifold can be welded or replaced. But when fixing a modern electronic system you must have the permission of the manufacturer before replacing a part, or even opening some boxes. Any mechanic can see leaking hydraulic fluid. But modern electronic systems can require special/expensive tools just to read the error code telling you which part has failed.

[fho]

Next up: John Deere invents a hydraulic rights managment (HRM) system that implements a communication protocol between hydraulic components using high frequency pressure changes in the hydraulic lines. These signals are interpreted by mechanical/hydraulic processing units to p̵r̵e̵v̵e̵n̵t̵ ̵t̵a̵m̵p̵e̵r̵i̵n̵g̵ ̵w̵i̵t̵h̵ ensure the quality of the product.

[voakbasda]

Don’t give them ideas. They have proven themselves willing to screw their customers. Don’t give them another way to extort us.