PRINCETON – A Mercer County man says the John Deere tractor he purchased has a defective braking system that makes the unit unsafe to use.
Phil A. Akers Sr. filed a lawsuit May 5 in Mercer Circuit Court against Deere & Co., John Deere Construction & Forestry Co., John Deere and Caudill Hill Ventures LLC (doing business as Meade Tractor Co.), Meade Tractor Co. and Conn’s Service Center Inc., alleging breach of contract and strict liability of tort.
According to the complaint, after Akers bought a John Deere four-wheel drive tractor, he discovered alleged defects in the product’s drive and braking systems. The suit says that when the tractor was engaged in four-wheel drive mode, the system would disengage when descending a hill, leaving only one wheel with braking ability. Although Akers reported the alleged defect to the defendants and has brought the unit in for multiple repair attempts, he claims the problems are unresolved.
Akers seeks compensatory damages of less than $75,000 for his losses, as well as litigation costs. He is represented by attorney Anthony R. Veneri of the Veneri Law Offices in Princeton.
Mercer Circuit Court Case number 16-C-146-WS