Electronic stuff

Thinking about electronic things. I am on my third GE washer control board, may be my first ice maker control board, if I want to spend the money. When a piece of electronic equipment on farm equipment breaks, unless you have a degree in electronics, you are shut down for a while, and a lot of money and time is lost. Is it true you can't repair JD electronics on the new machines? Just a thought. Stan

The usual repair is to swap in a new control board, module or sensor.
Repairs on the board level are time consuming . Usually limited to replacing power supplies , output drivers, main processors if mounted in a socket, failed capacitors or cracks in circuit traces.
A 50 year old 4020 ploughing a field does not raise any eyebrows in 2020. A 6105E ploughing a field in 2070 will make people stop and take a 2nd look.

You as a customer cannot reprogram software on late model JD equipment. If you have some knowledge about how modern equipment works, and pony up for a diagnostic manual, you can do quite a bit of other repair. Deere has one of the most open diagnostic platforms available. You just need some information to understand it.

If you just have one piece of equipment, the cost of the manuals is probably not worth it. If you have a fleet, that is a different story.

(Note: Changing fuel injectors requires programming access. The injector serial number has to be entered into the ECM.)

There might even be some 100 year old 4020's plowing in 2070. Lots of letter series (both red and green) still in use on many small farms today, and they are pushing 80.

My 72 year old Ford 8N is still working just fine. As I expect it will continue into the future. One of my Grandsons will get it on his 15th birthday. Coincidentally that will be the same year the tractor turns 75 years old.

I still use my 78 year old JD H gardening and cultivating a few acres of corn.
I hope to still be using it when it is 100.
I'll only be 90.
Richard in NW SC

My 68 year old A still gets the job done

There is a movement underway now. " The right to repair"
The electronics in these machines are built by machines and are fairly complex.
I have repaired my refrigerator control board twice. They (Whirlpool) designed a solid state circuit on the board to control the light and it was designed to fail. The board costs 200 bucks and the part to fix it costs 30 cents.
Some folks do have the skills to repair these components. But when you are completely locked out from all repairs it opens a few questions about ethics.

The very reason this web site exists is because lots of folks are somewhat self reliant and don't want to fork out 100 grand for a new "state of the art" tractor.

I would not be to surprised to find out the manufacturers are lobbying the government to halt production of repair parts for non compliant tractors.

In fact, they are doing that at this moment...

Rebate programs are in effect now in certain parts of the country where you trade in your old tractor for a new emission compliant machine. Your machine must meet eligibility requirements (good operating condition) then these machines are shipped to foreign countries for reuse.

It sort of make our air cleaner for the moment.

(quoted from post at 23:52:31 11/15/20) You as a customer cannot reprogram software on late model JD equipment. If you have some knowledge about how modern equipment works, and pony up for a diagnostic manual, you can do quite a bit of other repair. Deere has one of the most open diagnostic platforms available. You just need some information to understand it.

If you just have one piece of equipment, the cost of the manuals is probably not worth it. If you have a fleet, that is a different story.

(Note: Changing fuel injectors requires programming access. The injector serial number has to be entered into the ECM.)

Click to expand...

And why would each injector be serialized?
Could it be so that only a genuine JD injector can be used?
At JD price?
That is virtually a perpetual patent on an item and you can charge whatever you want.

(quoted from post at 09:15:10 11/16/20)

(quoted from post at 23:52:31 11/15/20) You as a customer cannot reprogram software on late model JD equipment. If you have some knowledge about how modern equipment works, and pony up for a diagnostic manual, you can do quite a bit of other repair. Deere has one of the most open diagnostic platforms available. You just need some information to understand it.

If you just have one piece of equipment, the cost of the manuals is probably not worth it. If you have a fleet, that is a different story.

(Note: Changing fuel injectors requires programming access. The injector serial number has to be entered into the ECM.)

Click to expand...

And why would each injector be serialized?
Could it be so that only a genuine JD injector can be used?
At JD price?
That is virtually a perpetual patent on an item and you can charge whatever you want.

Click to expand...

"And why would each injector be serialized?"

As I understand it, each electronic injector is precision calibrated and flow tested and when you install it the engine computer needs to be updated with it's EXACT details for the most efficient operation, also, it tells the computer the CANBUS "address" of the new injector so it knows where it is in firing order so the computer can communicate with it/"fire" it at the proper time.

If you install a replacement transmission in a late-model vehicle the same procedure typically has to be done, so nothing really unusual about the injector scenario nowadays, IMHO.

The old tractors work just fine. I stopped using my 80 year old Allis Chalmers Model M, because I am getting old. Stan

IF I were actively farming I would keep a couple of pre-electronics tractors for chores and other daily, mundane needs. I would LEASE what I needed for planting and harvesting.