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Opener Assemblies

20% more wear life than OEM. The Forges de Niaux takes it to the next level with a unique steel and special heat-treat process. Same dimensions as OEM. Uses  double-row 205 bearings, whereas OEM and other aftermarket are double-row 204 bearings (smaller diameter). They also use 5/16" rivets instead of 1/4".

$62.00
HEX HEAD BOLT KIT, 5/8 -11 X 1-3/4", RH & LH THREADED BOLTS GRADE 5, KINZE 3000 & 4000 SERIES 1 KIT NEEDED PER ROW UNIT TO INSTALL QTY 2 OF 03-10517 FDN 205 DBL BEARING DISC OPENER IF REPLACING OEM OR SINGLE ROW BEARING DISC OPENER WITH 1-1/2" LONG BOLT.
$8.00
Forges de Niaux's superior blades for JD MaxEmerge PLUS (Pre-XP) and Kinze. Same dimensions as OEM, but with the greater durability of the Forges de Niaux! Harder on the periphery, for 20% greater wear life. 204 bearing and rivet. Stays sharper longer. (REPLACES USE OF DISC ONLY P/N 03-10518)
$47.92
Forges de Niaux's superior blades for White 9000, Precision, Momentum. Same dimensions as OEM, but with the greater durability of the Forges de Niaux! Harder on the periphery, for 20% greater wear life. Stays sharper longer. (REPLACES USE OF DISC ONLY P/N 03-10003)
$71.58

All About Opener Assemblies

You asked. We deliver! Forges de Niaux offers a longer life, stay-sharp blade with a hub, bearing and rivets that hold up! 30 – 40% more wear life than competing openers. The Forges de Niaux takes it to the next level with a unique steel and special heat-treat process. Same dimensions as OEM. Uses Peer double-row larger 205 bearings, whereas OEM and other aftermarket are double-row 204 bearings (smaller diameter). They also use 5/16″ rivets instead of 1/4″. We can source FDN opener blades for most models and brands of planters including Pre-XP, Kinze, White and Case. Just call and ask!

The stamped hub is finish-machined—unlike any other—creating an improved fit over all other brands. FDN narrowed the tolerances to 50 thousandths axial runout and 1/16″ radial runout, whereas industry tolerances are 80 thousandths axial runout and 1/8″ radial runout. The bearing is never loose in the hub, nor too tight (which shortens bearing life). The order of the finish machining (rivet holes after the centerline is established), along with the powder coat painted blade, ensures everything is within tolerances and the bearing doesn’t fail prematurely from misalignment.

The edge of a Forge De Niaux blade.

Tough, Proven

The Niaux 205 and 204 blades stay sharp longer. But the additional wear life on the Niaux 200s doesn’t impair their toughness, because the extra hardening occurs only on the outermost inch or so (also, they use a different steel to handle the additional hardening—it’s not the usual 15B30 steel that all the other blades are made from).

Forge De Niaux double-row bearing.

Better Bearing

Uses Peer double-row 205 bearings, whereas OEM and other aftermarket are double-row 204 bearings (smaller diameter). The stamped hub is finish-machined—unlike any other—creating an improved fit over all other brands.

Comparison of Forges De Niaux and OEM blade bevel.

Sharper, Deeper Bevel

Forges de Niaux blades have a deeper bevel of 3/4″ vs others that are only 5/8″. The sharpest, longest-lasting blades on the market.

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.