Making Farming Easier
July – August 2015
ISG News........................................... Page 2 Green Iron......................................... Page 4 Tech Talk........................................... Page 8 Making Every Drop Count............... Page 16 Dollars and Sense........................... Pages 19
of these software modifications to his tractor. These modifications could come from a number of purveyors, some reputable, some not so much. The modifications could be wide and varied, from increasing engine horsepower to modifying operating parameters to tweaking the guidance systems. Now consider the consequences once that tractor is traded in. The next purchaser of that tractor (maybe you!) has no idea that the software or technology has been tweaked or modified. You think you’re buying one thing and are actually getting something else. The John Deere consistency, reliability and technology you depend on—possibly the main reasons you bought that tractor— suddenly are not what you think they are. Because of the integrated electronics and the intricacies of the software, modifications could lead to a number of safety concerns: The tractor might raise tillage equipment when you don’t expect it. A sudden change in direction could occur because the tractor believes it’s actually someplace else. There might be sudden shifts or surges in the engine or the tractor may quit working altogether. What if the data gathering technology you rely on to manage your operation
Follow us on facebook. PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID Permit #21 Scottsbluff, NE 69361 ECR-WSS
In this Issue...
You may have read some of the recent online discussion about whether or not you really own your tractor, when the manufacturer retains ownership of the software in that equipment. Here’s our take on this discussion: There is no question that when you pay for a tractor, you own it. On the other hand, John Deere owns the rights to the software and technology running in the background in that tractor. And it makes sense that they do—for them and for you. There are reasons that manufacturers protect their software and intellectual property. First, they have made the investment in developing it and deserve to recoup that investment, profit from it and protect it. It’s the same with your smartphone. You buy the phone, but you license the operating system. John Deere wants the same protection for software on its tractors. But more importantly, there are issues of safety, consistency and customer confidence at stake. Let’s assume that the software on a John Deere tractor is provided in an “open architecture” environment—meaning that any number of software developers could offer modifications to the existing software. And let’s say that a farmer decides to add some
POSTAL CUSTOMER
David Oxford, a Service Technician at the 21st Century Equipment Imperial location, has worked with John Deere equipment since 1968. “The people I worked with became my extended family,” Oxford reflects on his years working as a technician and parts specialist. He started as a technician in Lexington, NE, working for KARRE Hay & Grain. He was there one year and then was called by the Army to do one tour in Vietnam that lasted from 1968-70. After he returned from the war, Oxford returned to his hometown of Oconto, NE, where he worked on their family farm. In 1972 he returned to the KARRE dealership for one year before taking a job as a ranch hand in Curtis, NE. In 1976, Oxford and his family moved to Enders, NE, and he began working as a technician at Midwest Farm Equipment in Imperial. David Oxford Oxford spent 25 years in the shop Retired at Midwest Farm Equipment before Imperial Service Technician transitioning into his role as a Parts Specialist; the same position he retired from June 1. “My favorite part of my job was the accomplishment of helping customers fix their equipment,” says Oxford. “I always took pride in that.” Oxford plans to do some traveling with Linda, his wife of 48 years. They already have a trip to Indianapolis planned for the Mobile Riverine Force Association (MRFA) Reunion in September. “It will be a lot of Navy guys and my branch of the Army that rode on their boats.” He also plans to do more traveling to see family across Nebraska. “I’ve got to quit working so much!” says Oxford. Since his retirement, Oxford has helping his son, Chad, with his service station, Triple O, in Imperial. He also is restoring his 1963 Chevy Impala SS. Oxford says he has enjoyed not having to be anywhere at a certain time the last month. Oxford’s retirement was celebrated with an open house and BBQ at the dealership in Imperial on May 31.
You don’t own the software in your tractor. And that’s a good thing. Here’s why.
has been changed and you’re not able to extract the information you need—or worse yet, you may not even know that the information you’re relying on is corrupted in some way? What if your data is being sent to an undesired place? When you come to have your tractor with its third-party modified software serviced by our technicians, we aren’t aware of what’s been done to that software in the past. You rack up service bills as we try to figure out what someone else did— and in the end, neither of us would have a high confidence level in the fix, assuming we find one. The fact is that when you buy a John Deere tractor, you’re buying performance, confidence, integrity and value—whether you’re buying new or used. That tractor is the whole package—iron, engine, technology and software— designed and engineered by John Deere and supported by 21st Century Equipment. It’s what green means. That tractor is yours without question. The software and technology to make in run like a Deere, however, are proprietary to John Deere. And when it comes to your safety, confidence and equity in the equipment, that’s a good thing. A very good thing.
21st Century Equipment Corporate Headquarters 9738 US 26 Bridgeport, NE 69336
We’re proud to sponsor area 4-H & FFA youth!