Opinion: Farmers’ right-to-repair fight in the U.S. just getting started

Mar 30, 2023

Before a January memorandum of understanding on a farmer’s right to repair his farm machinery, American equipment makers and their farm and ranch customers were locked in a legal and legislative fight over who could fix today’s complex ag machinery — the customer who owned or leased it, or the maker that designed, built and held its warranty.

But, say agricultural law experts, the trumpeted MOU between Deere & Co., the world’s largest farm machinery manufacturer, and the American Farm Bureau Federation, the nation’s biggest farm group, is unenforceable.

They said the MOU offers no binding legal rights to either farmers or manufacturers and doesn’t stop any farmer or farm group from continuing their court and legislative fights for their “right to repair.”

Today’s farm machinery, especially tractors and combines, are driven more by software than diesel and their day-in, day-out performance swings as much on electrons and algorithms as cylinder compression and hydraulic hookups.

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John Deere rolled out its next-gen motor graders at ConExpo 2026, outfitting the P-Tier models with new automation features, displays and updated cabs.

New P-Tier models include the 620, 622, 670, 672, 770, 772, 870 and 872. All models except the 870 and 872 are also available in Deere’s more basic G-Tier variants.

Equipment World got a closer look at the company’s 772 P-Tier at the show. To get a complete walkaround of the machine, check out the video above with Deere Product Manager Matt Costello.

Inside the 772 P-Tier Motor Grader

The 772 P-Tier is powered by a 275-horsepower John Deere PowerTech diesel engine.

Costello says the foundation of the motor grader is Deere’s premium circle featuring a fully-sealed bearing. “We build all of our tech and all of our features off of this premium circle,” he says. “It’s going to stay nice and tight and accurate whether you’re running your blade in 2D, 3D or standard operation. You don’t have to worry about shimming and doing some of the adjustments that historically you would’ve had to do.” The circle is paired with encoded cylinders equipped with a sensor that tells the machine the exact position of the blade.

Another hallmark of the P-Tier lineup is flexible machine technology that can be upgraded at any time. Standard technology includes Cross Slope, SmartGrade Ready option, SmartGrade with Topcon and SmartGrade with Leica, return to straight, Auto-Articulation, Blade Flip, Machine Presets, lever steering, and choice between fingertip or joystick controls. Optional features include Machine Damage Avoidance, Auto-Pass, Smart Saddle and Intelligent Blade Control.

Inside the cab, operators will find eight-inch touchscreen primary display, Automatic Temperature Control system, electrohydraulic (EH) controls with standard steering wheel, centralized machine-function switches and an adjustable heated and ventilated air-ride seat.

A front camera allows operators to see down and alley or past a building without pulling the machine into the road. The front camera can be paired with the two rear cameras to further enhance the field of view, accessible on dedicated displays in the cab. v

To learn more about John Deere’s latest P-Tier motor graders, check out the video above.

Motor Grader Market Pulse

More than 1,100 new financed motor graders were sold in the U.S. between June 1, 2025, and May 31, 2026, according to EDA. (EDA and Equipment World are owned by Fusable.)

Deere ranks second in motor grader sales, behind Caterpillar. Its most popular model is the 772G, positioning the new 772 P-Tier a strong contender in the market.

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