quote:

Originally posted by snidera:
<snip>
...but a lot of the decision to not offer the diagnostic tools is the cost to support all the dumb, er, ignorant questions/requests that will go along with it.

To be fair, this represents a change in mindset from the mechanical to the computer age in a way. No one ever expected Craftsman or the Snap-On guy to offer "tech support" on how to use their tools. The mechanic went to trade school, learned from others, taught himself, etc. In the computer age, if we can't figure something out, we expect to have our hands held by the developer through the process.

(Or Tech Support from New Delhi..... I can hear it now. "Hello, this is Ravi. I can see that your tractor is having software problems. Please enter the following code so I can take control of it. And please to give me your credit card information.")

quote:

Originally posted by cparktd:
[QUOTE]Originally posted by Hay2bale:


A LOT of people think the economy has pent up demand that will benefit heavy equipment makers once/if/when it breaks loose. Deere and Caterpillar both are heavy into construction equipment... I own a bit of both.

It already has with ag equipment. Prices for late model, low hour used John Deere ag equipment are up 25% over a year ago. If you can find anything to buy. Not much out there for 1-3 year old tractors and they are ridicuously priced.

These new software rights issues need to be sorted out. First purchase rights need solidified too. When you can buy a product and then sell it, and the new owner is not "licensed to use" the software which is inherent to the device. Imagine if you're not licensed to use the software on your Toyota Sienna you bought from your neighbor. That sort of mischief is underway in many areas (not Toyota to my knowlege).

You don't have to be certified to buy the software.
It's available to all on the truck side.

Buy a good laptop, Com box and DLC cables.
Pay the subscription and use it.
Cummins dealer level software is $600 per machine for 6 months.
Volvo is $250 per month. One sub and the software can be put on multiple laptops.

Jpro, which is a buy it once software, let's the user change small parameters like vehicle and engine speed.

Pretty costly for folks with just a couple pieces of equipment.

ETA..
The volcom 2 com box is $1,200
Cummins is about the same.