Farmers have always been innovators — fixing, fabricating, and finding a way to keep their machines running. But as equipment technology advanced, repairs became more complex and access to digital diagnostics was limited. That’s changing. We talk with Kent Brown about John Deere’s new PRO Service, a major leap forward for farmer autonomy and equipment diagnostics. Designed to give producers, independent techs, and dealers equal footing when it comes to machine insights, PRO Service is Deere’s next chapter in supporting the right to repair.
For years, farmers have asked for more transparency and tools to maintain their own equipment without depending solely on dealerships. John Deere’s new Operations Center PRO Service may be the most significant answer yet.
Guest Kent Brown joins the Farm4Profit team to unpack what this new system offers, why it matters, and how it reshapes the balance of power in the repair world.
Listeners will learn:
What PRO Service is: A licensed, digital self-repair and diagnostic platform replacing the old Customer Service ADVISOR. It delivers PIN-specific manuals, real-time machine health data, and AI-powered search functions for faster troubleshooting.
What makes it different: Interactive electrical schematics, controller reprogramming tools, and the ability to perform diagnostic tests—all without relying solely on the dealer network.
Who it’s for: U.S. and Canadian farmers, custom operators, and independent technicians—anyone who wants more repair independence.
Kent explains how this platform empowers farmers to diagnose issues, order parts, and update software directly, while still allowing seamless collaboration with dealers when needed.
The episode also dives into the broader right-to-repair debate, exploring how PRO Service reflects Deere’s effort to address farmer concerns and regulatory scrutiny. With pricing starting at $195 per machine annually for owner-operators—or $5,995 per year for independent service providers—the investment could quickly pay for itself through reduced downtime and fewer service calls.
The Farm4Profit hosts explore critical questions, including:
How easy is it for everyday farmers to learn the system?
Does it really give farmers control—or just a better window into Deere’s data?
Could this open the door to predictive maintenance, AI-driven insights, or fully offline repair libraries in the future?
Ultimately, this episode breaks down how PRO Service moves the industry forward—providing a middle ground between self-sufficiency and expert support—and what it could mean for the next generation of farm repair culture.