Drill Blades: When To Replace And Why? | Exapta Solutions Inc.

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Drill Blades: When to Replace and Why?
  • August 10, 2020June 18, 2025

On JD and CIH P-500/NH P-2080/85 single disc drills (with 18″ blades), blades should be replaced at 17 3/8″ diameter or sooner. At Exapta, we encourage blade replacement sooner rather than later, because at this point over half the bevel is gone and very dull. The bevel is 3/4″ new. Once 5/8″ wears off, you are at the maximum dullness. Not only will you experience more trouble with hair-pinning, but the blades will struggle to cut the soil. Continuing to run worn out blades will escalate seed boot wear. Because the boot is wider than the furrow being cut, it is very difficult to push the boot into the soil. Generally, the lower edge of the boot should be approximately at the soil surface. It doesn’t take much figuring to determine whether blades or seed boots are more expensive to keep up to spec in the long run!

Remember: the last acre planted is just as important as the first! Replace your blades often enough to stay well above 17 3/8″ throughout the entire season. You’ll find greater savings in the long run by replacing blades more often, taking into account better performance of the whole opener. A brand new 18″ blade will require less downforce on the opener, resulting in a clean-cut furrow and less hair-pinning, all while keeping the seed boot at soil surface to prevent premature wear.

Quick TIP: To measure blades without removing the blade, measure from the edge of the hub to the blade edge. Replace if less than 5 7/8″. And, when installing new blades, the bevel should be towards the seed boot.

Up close look at drill blade with farmer measuring the blade.

In no-till, an up-to-par blade is essential for making efficient use of down-pressure and forming a clean furrow, so the seed can reach the bottom, for good seed-to-soil contact. Exapta carries excellent long-lasting blades with the Forges De Niaux. Our farmer testing has proven the Forges de Niaux gives the best life compared to OEM. Keep those blades up-to-spec and a lot of seeding problems are eliminated.

previousSee for Yourself: Valion Versus OEM Seed Tube GuardsnextBallin’ on a Budget: What to Replace on JD 50/60/90 Openers When Grain Prices Are Low

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Derek Tjaden

Derek is Kansas native who grew up in a 100% no-till farming operation. From an early age the benefits of no-till were made known to Derek by his father and by attending no-till conferences. From there he furthered his passion for soils while at Kansas State University getting his agronomy degree. He has had the experience of working in various roles and sectors of agriculture from sales and consulting to management, which have all been within production agriculture. Derek has also worked in specialty ag markets such as turf and ornamentals.

Bob Pagel

Sales & Service Representative

Prior to joining Exapta, Bob Pagel was an Agricultural Territory Sales Manager for Ritchie Brothers, serving parts of MN, WI and IA. He continues to support his family farm in SE Minnesota.

Jon Zeller

Current Product Engineer

He brings hands-on experience in no-till planting equipment, agricultural research, and design engineering. With a background in farming in NE Kansas and an engineering degree, he spent seven years at Kansas State University and three at Landoll Company. He’s passionate about solving engineering challenges and developing durable, user-friendly products.

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