What Farmers Need to Know
For years, John Deere has restricted farmers’ ability to repair the equipment they own, forcing many to rely on authorized Deere dealers for repairs they could otherwise make themselves or have performed by an independent mechanic.
Now, a proposed class-action settlement would require Deere to pay $99 million to farmers and other equipment owners who paid for certain dealer repairs between January 10, 2018 and May 18, 2026. The settlement also includes provisions intended to improve access to the tools farmers and independent mechanics need to make repairs.
But the proposed settlement falls far short of making farmers whole for years of restricted repair access and inflated repair costs.
After attorneys’ fees of up to $45 million, litigation expenses of up to $6 million, settlement administration costs, and other approved expenses are deducted, only a portion of the $99 million fund will be available to compensate a class estimated to include more than 200,000 members.
And farmers’ payments will be calculated according to qualifying dealer labor hours—not the total amount they paid because of Deere’s repair restrictions. Parts costs and markups, for example, are not part of the payment formula even though farmers who remain in the class will release covered claims against Deere for parts and “any . . .alleged factual predicates, events, actions, or failures to act as described in the Complaint . . . [and more].”
Farmers deserve to understand what they are being asked to give up—and what they will receive in return.
If you are included in the settlement, you have several options. Importantly, doing nothing is also a decision: You can receive no money and still give up your right to pursue the covered claims against Deere.
You may be a member of the settlement class if you or your farm paid an authorized Deere dealer for diagnosis, maintenance, or repair of qualifying Deere agricultural equipment in the United States between January 10, 2018 and May 18, 2026.
Qualifying equipment includes certain Deere tractors (6000 series or larger), combines, cotton picking equipment, sugarcane harvesters, tillage and seeding equipment, planters, application equipment, and sprayers.
If you received a settlement notice, review it carefully. If you lose your copy, ask for another one. Even if you did not receive one, you may still qualify.
Deadline: December 31, 2026
Filing a claim is the only way to receive a payment from the settlement.
The amount you receive will depend on the qualifying dealer labor hours associated with your equipment compared with those of other farmers who file valid claims. The settlement does not simply reimburse farmers for what they spent on repairs.
By remaining part of the settlement, you will also be bound by the final judgment and release the covered claims against Deere.
How to file a claim:
You can file a claim online through the official Deere Repair Settlement website.
If you received a notice by mail or email, have it available when you file. You will need your unique Notice ID and Confirmation Code. Review the repair information associated with your equipment and provide any additional documentation requested for qualifying repairs that may not be reflected in Deere’s records.
You can file a claim and still object to the settlement.
Deadline: December 4, 2026
Farmers are not required to accept the settlement.
Opting out is the way to preserve your right to join another lawsuit against Deere over the claims covered by the case.
If you opt out, you will not receive money from the settlement fund, but you will not be bound by the settlement’s release of claims.
How to opt out:
You must submit an individual, signed request to be excluded from the settlement. Follow the requirements in the official settlement notice carefully—the request must include specific identifying information. The details are FAQ 16 at the official website.
Mail your exclusion request to:
Deere Repair Services Antitrust Litigation
Attn: Exclusions
P.O. Box 58220
Philadelphia, PA 19102
If sent by first-class mail, it must be postmarked by December 4, 2026. The settlement also provides instructions for sending exclusions by registered or certified mail.
Deadline: December 4, 2026
Farmers who believe the settlement is inadequate can tell the court.
You can remain in the class, file a claim for your share of the settlement, and object to the settlement at the same time.
An objection gives you an opportunity to explain to the court why you believe the proposed settlement should not be approved as written and make suggestions.
You cannot both opt out and object: opting out removes you from the class, while objecting means remaining part of it.
How to object:
You must submit a written objection to the court that meets the requirements in the official settlement notice. Among other things, the notice requires information identifying you as a class member and explaining the basis for your objection.
Because objections are formal filings with specific requirements, review the official instructions carefully before submitting yours. Here are the specific directions from Deere.
Your objection must be submitted by December 4, 2026.
Doing nothing does not preserve your rights.
If you are a class member and take no action, you will receive no cash payment from the settlement. But if the settlement is approved, you will still be bound by it and give up your right to pursue the covered claims against Deere separately.
That means farmers who simply set the notice aside could end up with no compensation while still releasing their claims against Deere.
If you are unsure what to do, don’t simply ignore the notice. Review your options before the December deadlines.
The right to repair farm equipment is not a minor convenience. When a tractor or combine goes down, farmers lose critical hours or days waiting for an authorized technician—all while crops are ready to plant or harvest.
For years, Deere has used its control over repair software, diagnostic tools, and other technology to limit farmers’ repair choices. Farm Action has fought these restrictions because farmers who spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on equipment should not have to ask the manufacturer for permission to fix it.
The proposed settlement represents a measure of accountability, but $99 million is a small price for Deere to pay after years of restricting farmers’ ability to repair their own equipment—and the amount actually reaching farmers will be substantially smaller.
Farmers should carefully consider whether the compensation offered through the settlement is worth the legal claims they will give up by remaining in the class.
Whatever they decide, they should make that decision knowingly.
December 4, 2026: Deadline to opt out or object
December 31, 2026: Deadline to file a claim
January 19, 2027: Fairness hearing—a time for the judge to hear directly from you.
Visit the official Deere Repair Settlement website to file a claim, or review the requirements for opting out or objecting.
Farm Action is providing this information to help farmers understand the proposed settlement and the choices available to them. This resource is for informational purposes and is not legal advice.