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JOHN DEERE BLADE COMPARISON
Why buy John Deere replacement blades?
APPLICATION-SPECIFIC DESIGN
Comparison is of John Deere blades against comparable competitive blades (blades not manufactured by John Deere, but sold to fit the same equipment).
STAKE TEST RESULTS
BLADE COMPARISONS
| Features | John Deere Rotary Blade | Competitive Blade |
|---|---|---|
| Size of center hole | Perfectly sized to spindle alignment boss. | Center hole too large leads to moderate blade and deck vibration. |
| Location of center hole | Hole is located in exact center of blade. | Mislocated center holes leads to serious vibration and blade-to-blade contact. |
| Flatness of blade/spindle contact area | Blade remains flat while tightening blade bolt. | As blade is tightened, ends do not remain flat and blades become misaligned. |
| Material and Heat Treatment | Combines carbon with boron and other materials to provide hardenability for long life without brittleness. | Some competitive companies sell hardness only, compromising safety with brittle blades. Others don't control the material or heat-treating process, resulting in blades that are too soft and wear quickly or are too hard and brittle. |
Rigorous Testing
| Features | John Deere Rotary Blade | Competitive Blade |
|---|---|---|
| Fatigue Test | Blades shaken over 6 million cycles to simulate abusive environment. | Aftermarket blade fragments in stake test. (See results above) |
| Field Test | All new blades are tested at field test sites in Wisconsin and Florida for wear and longevity. |