Farmer = mechanic
All farm machinery requires calibration, maintenance and fixing on a regular basis. Training on how to do this is an essential, and large, part of any agricultural course in the UK, and I hope worldwide. The bits they don't learn to repair are the sections where the manufacturers IP means that it is a sealed box - ECU, SatNav, those kind of things. Exactly the sort of things that an independent mechanic can't change on a car, except at the same whole unit level.
The level of protectionism exhibited by some of the companies though, is similar to saying that you have to go to a car dealer to get the tyres changed.
In the UK, Young Farmers (voluntary version of the US government funded 4H) test the calibration, maintenance and small scale (because of time) parts replacement as part of their regular events.
I am an Ex. Deputy President of the National Federation of Young Farmers Clubs and repaired tractors up to the replacement of a clutch (splitting the tractor in half!) before the age of 17.
Biting the hand that feeds IT
