aftermarket_knives_test

An extensive field test conducted by AM Machinery last corn season has delivered surprising results.

Aftermarket knives not only perform as well as original knives, they actually outperform the original on multiple crucial points.


Measuring is knowing

"At AM Machinery, we believe in hard facts, not assumptions," says Koen Vogelsangs, Parts Manager of AM Machinery.

"That's why we conducted an extensive knife test this season under realistic field conditions. No laboratory test, but real practice."


The test setup

The study compared five different knife variants, all mounted on identical Kemper corn headers:

  1. Original OEM (standard)
  2. Original Heavy Duty OEM
  3. Aftermarket variant A
  4. Aftermarket variant B
  5. Aftermarket Premium

All knives were tested on three crucial characteristics:

  • wear resistance
  • sharpness
  • impact on fuel consumption.


Surprising outcomes

Early in the season, it became clear that the aftermarket knives performed excellently. But the real surprise came at the end of the harvest season.

Results Original Manufacture (OEM)

OEM.1
OEM.2

Results Aftermarket manufacturer A

AM_A.1
AM_A.2

Results Aftermarket manufacturer B

AM_B.1
AM_B.2

Results Aftermarket Premium

AM-PREMIUM.1
AM-PREMIUM.2

Aftermarket knives scored better on:

  • Longer edge retention - Maintained their cutting power throughout the entire season
  • Less wear - Visibly fewer signs of aging
  • Cleaner cuts - Better crop cutting quality

"Like they just came out of the package" - Contractor who tested the knives

The most striking result came from the Aftermarket Premium variant. While original knives, including the Heavy Duty version, showed clear wear after a full season, the premium aftermarket knives remained remarkably sharp.


Unexpected benefit: fuel savings

This lasting sharpness delivered a welcome bonus. Because the machine needed less power to cut through the crop, fuel consumption decreased measurably. For contractors who process large areas daily, this means direct cost savings.


Price-performance ratio

The study shows that aftermarket knives offer a compelling alternative:

✓ Lower purchase price than original knives
✓ Better performance on wear resistance and sharpness
✓ Fuel savings through sustained efficiency
✓ Longer lifespan means fewer replacements


"Especially the premium aftermarket variant combines the best of all worlds," concludes Koen Vogelsangs. "Better performance, lower costs, and reliability you can expect from AM Machinery."


Availability

AM Machinery has aftermarket knives available for all common Kemper and Orbis corn headers. The knives feature high-quality tungsten carbide coating for extra wear resistance and fit perfectly without modifications.

More information about aftermarket knives and prices please contact us