What to Expect from John Deere's Software Updates
Manufacturing equipment powerhouse, John Deere, is releasing software updates for its equipment.
The company says the updates will give its customers more time to deal with Diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) and selective catalytic reduction (SCR) issues related to its equipment.
The move follows the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) revising its guidelines in August 2025 and customer feedback on the need for more practical repair timelines, improved DEF diagnostics and less severe power derates.
āWe have heard loud and clear from small businesses across the United States that the current DEF system is unacceptable. It is unacceptable that farmers, truckers, construction workers, and many other small businesses continually experience failures of diesel-powered equipment when they need it mostācosting millions of dollars in lost productivity,ā said Lee Zeldin, EPA Chairman when the revisions were introduced.
The EPA’s previous restrictions
The EPA regulation used to stipulate that machinery operators could not use equipment with DEF and SCR-issues as they produce nitrogen oxide emissions well above regulated limits.
It required manufacturers to build machines with the ability to warn users of a DEF or SCR-related fault and ultimately change its state to idle only, preventing high-speed operations.
A faulty machine would first enable warning lights and alerts to warn the operator of an issue such as an empty DEF tank, a SCR sensor fault or a dosing failure.
If the operator could not fix the fault, the machine would trigger its power derate function before restricting itself to an idle only status.
This process could take as little as four hours, providing limited time for operators to solve the problem.
John Deere collaborated with regulators and industry stakeholders to find an approach that would be more practical for operators faced with DEF and SCR issues, allowing them more time to address the issues with their machines.
The EPA subsequently started to expand valid options for operators in this scenario, in August 2025.
- Since there's no way to force operators to maintain DEF/SCR systems, regulators mandated escalating "inducements" or warnings, then power/speed derates, then an idle-only restriction on machines to force fixes quickly (in as little as four hours on some equipment).
- The restriction affected construction equipment such as excavators, loaders, dozers, and tractors built to Tier 4 Final/Stage IV-V standards.
- Since August 2025, the EPA has relaxed these rules, extending response timeframes, and dropping the DEF quality sensor requirement in favour of NOx sensors alone.
- A July 2026 EPA proposed rule would go further, replacing forced derates/speed limits with audible/visible alerts only ā this is still pending with the consultation period due to end on 29 August 2026.
Up to 20 hours to solve DEF issues
John Deereās updated software strategy allows operators to address issues within approximately 20 hours before reaching an operating restriction.
The company says that the extra time allows a contractor to complete a critical task before returning equipment for repair, for example.
Its enhanced software also provides higher quality DEF diagnostic performance and only restricts fault-related operating to 30% of rated engine power rather than to idle-only.
John Deere is set to roll out almost 80% of its software updates in scope by the end of 2026.
The remaining updates will become available through 2027. Relevant machines will present operators with the option to accept the updates.
Operators can also install the updates through a John Deere dealer or via the Operations Centerā¢ PRO Service.
Daimler, Mack Trucks & Volvo Trucks update their software
Other construction equipment manufacturers have already updated their software in line with EAPās regulation changes. These include Daimler, Volvo Trucks and its subsidiary, Mack Trucks.
āFor too long, small businesses like farmers, truckers, and construction workers have borne the cost of unreliable DEF systems through expensive repairs and needless downtime,ā says Kelly Loeffler, Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration.
“The SBA welcomes Daimler Truck North America’s decision to equip vehicles with updated DEF inducement software, a common-sense step that gives operators greater reliability while reducing costs.”