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.

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Website: www.Farm4Profit.com

Shareable episode link: https://intro-to-farm4profit.simplecast.com

Email address: Farm4profitllc@gmail.com

Call/Text: 515.207.9640

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This Farm4Profit Podcast episode takes listeners deep into one of the most dramatic rivalries in agricultural history: the tractor wars of the 1970s and 80s. Our guest, Lee Klancher, is an award-winning author, photographer, and publisher of Octane Press, whose new book Snoopy and the Spy tells the story of International Harvester vs. John Deere during the height of the farm crisis.

We explore:

Lee’s Journey: How his early passions for machinery, photography, and storytelling led to a 30-year career publishing more than 30 books, teaching writing, and founding Octane Press from his garage in Austin.

Adventures Behind the Lens: From climbing the Julian Alps to photographing 30 rare John Deere tractors in a custom-built studio, Lee shares wild experiences that shape his work.

Snoopy & the Spy Storyline:

The bold espionage of Bud Youle sneaking into John Deere’s Superdome showcase in 1982.

The innovative but short-lived IH 2+2 “Snoopy” lineage and the canceled Super 70 prototypes (7288, 7488, rumored 7888).

Deere’s counterpunch: the 15-speed PowerShift transmission and factory MFWD on high-hp row crops.

How espionage fueled innovation but couldn’t save IH from its financial collapse and eventual merger into Case IH.

Wider Themes: Loyalty, desperation, and ethics during a time when the survival of whole companies—and farm livelihoods—hung in the balance.

The conversation also highlights Lee’s reflections: espionage and secret prototyping accelerated tractor innovation and shaped the machines we know today, even if IH itself didn’t survive.

We close with lighter fare: Lee’s dream tractor test drive, favorite adventures from around the globe, and what hidden book projects might be next.

This episode blends ag history, corporate drama, and personal adventure—showing how tractors and their stories are as much about people and passion as they are about horsepower.

Want Farm4Profit Merch? Custom order your favorite items today!

https://farmfocused.com/farm-4profit/

Don’t forget to like the podcast on all platforms and leave a review where ever you listen!

Website: www.Farm4Profit.com

Shareable episode link: https://intro-to-farm4profit.simplecast.com

Email address: Farm4profitllc@gmail.com

Call/Text: 515.207.9640

Subscribe to YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSR8c1BrCjNDDI_Acku5Xqw

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This Farm4Profit Podcast episode introduces NexOpt, a new asset management and GPS tracking system that promises to change how farmers monitor equipment, track service, and manage downtime. Our guest, Sherie Jones, Operations Manager at STEINBAUER USA, shares how NexOpt—founded in 2016—has already been adopted by industries like postal services, broadcasters, and leasing companies in Europe, and why now is the right time to bring it to the U.S.

Key themes from the conversation include:

What Makes NexOpt Different: Unlike traditional telematics systems tied to one carrier, NexOpt is cell-provider independent, can store data offline and upload later, and is engineered entirely in-house for reliability. Sherie also explains how the system uses a fraction of the data compared to competitors.

Why Farmers Should Care: From real-time tracking of machines to the Service History feature that logs invoices, technician notes, and repair photos, NexOpt helps farmers replace messy spreadsheets and paper records with one digital solution. For row-crop, livestock, and custom operators alike, this can reduce downtime during critical planting or harvest windows.

Features & Functionality: Farmers gain tools like breadcrumb trails, idle time tracking, fault code reporting, and customizable analytics. Sherie shares which features early adopters love most and how even non-tech-savvy users can navigate the platform with ease.

ROI and Practical Use: Sherie outlines the cost structure (setup + per-vehicle monthly fee), where farmers typically see the return on investment, and whether it’s better to pilot a few machines or roll out across an entire fleet.

The U.S. Launch: Debuting at the Farm Progress Show, NexOpt is kicking things off with T-shirt giveaways, a cooler raffle, and even a shrimp boil and gumbo dinner for attendees.

This episode highlights how smarter tracking can turn maintenance into a profit driver, giving farmers more time in the field and fewer unexpected breakdowns.

Want Farm4Profit Merch? Custom order your favorite items today!

https://farmfocused.com/farm-4profit/

Don’t forget to like the podcast on all platforms and leave a review where ever you listen!

Website: www.Farm4Profit.com

Shareable episode link: https://intro-to-farm4profit.simplecast.com

Email address: Farm4profitllc@gmail.com

Call/Text: 515.207.9640

Subscribe to YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSR8c1BrCjNDDI_Acku5Xqw

Follow us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@farm4profitllc

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