very good points gpsdude,i deal with two different pf systems in our operation,oem and after market.
   the after market guys I do some testing for,so for some things I have a direct line more or less,to the nest,but I have a dealer I work through also,so if I can work him in the loop,i do,just if for no other reason to see how they are handling calls at the local level.  they do pretty good
  so my after market dealer and I have discussed how to handle service for this stuff,and they are at a loss.  they sell tractors,and shortline too,he told me the paradigm has almost flipped,in that the younger guys come in with a tractor size in mind,but they are asking about the precision related options first,then decide on the tractor,like you said,the support 4 years down the road is based off of $180.000+tractor sale,not a $15,000 technology sale.
    the oem structure for handling pf service calls is almost maddening,or the way they are handling the whole pf gig I should say.........I could write a whole book on just my experiences,thought maybe it was just me,then neighbors start recounting stories,then guys I don't really even know   .welllllll   any way,they are charging for phone support,and that's fine,but the poor tech you need to talk to,is assembling a field cultivator,the precision specialist,that's supposed to know, won't return phone calls,not quite sure on that, the service manager that poor guy is so swamped that he is making promises that he in no way can keep,and he is supposed to run the shop in a way to make money.
   the answer is pretty simple to me anyway,sell this pf stuff as capital equipment not a sideline,first year free support,after that it's gonna cost you.
   I worked in the tv and electronics business for a good number of years,pretty interesting when you start charging a service call to plug in a antennae booster or program a tv,satellite dish,or vcr.what the owners of these items can all of a sudden figure out for themselves.