Ben  Dover,,

Equipment manufacturer's have forgot who is the 'customer' and who is the supplier, and how that relationship works.   Yes fewer 'megadealers' mean worse parts and service and the fun of wading thru all the pink JD teeshirts, hats, lawnmowers, and assorted krap to get to the parts counter.

Only to wait while some 'weekend' warrior whines about his lawnmower needing a part because the dummy didn't have a clue about his lawnmower....

There is something irritating about how a dummy and his weedeater which was wrecked because the dummy had not clue one how to run it in the first place taking presidence OVER a farmer who needs a $$$$$  part to keep his business running.

I marvel about posts where some farmer was slammed against the steering wheel because he took his arm off the arm rest or stood up from the seat for a second. And,, how some silly @$$ sensor needs to be replaced. I don't have anything against USEFUL TECHNOLOGY,, but Technology just for 'technology's sake' is rediculous !!

We are being told,, "we're building what the people want"...   Huh,, Like I want technology with built in 'quirks' which will slam me into the steering wheel cause I move around in the seat ??? 

The reality is we're being told "you gotta have this, it's the greatest thing since sliced bread" !!   One that has always baffled me is murphy switches have been around 30 +- years,, and can save an engine yet,, Have any equipment manufacturers built their engine equipment with murphy switches ???  

I've had 2  tractor engines saved from 'self-destruction"  by aftermarket murphy switches, neither of which were available directly from the manufacturer. Manufacturer's are building equipment so it's so electronically dependent and unreliable enough to ensure a never ending supply of equipment that ONLY the Dealers can work on.

I wonder how America would like it if the American Farmer adopted Mr. Lane's business model ???