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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 |
| Fatigue Test: |
Blades shaken over 6 million cycles to simulate abusive environment. |
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| Stake Test: |
Blade approaches 200 mph, then encounters 1-inch steel rod. Blade must BEND, not fragment (see results above). |
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. |
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