Size a two-piece edge for a compact tractor by matching the moldboard width, not the tractor’s engine class. Measure the bolt-hole pattern on both the left and right blade sections, confirm the center gap and overlap, then select edge thickness and hole spacing from the product page specification. Two-piece edges are sized by hole pattern and section length first, steel grade second.
Start with the moldboard, not the tractor
Compact tractors span a wide range of front-end loader and blade widths, and the same chassis can carry different moldboards depending on the attachment. Sizing from the tractor model alone produces mismatches, so the moldboard and its existing bolt pattern are the reliable starting point.
- Measure the full cutting width across the moldboard, left tip to right tip.
- Record the center gap between the two blade halves and any overlap designed into the moldboard.
- Map every bolt hole on both sides: spacing, diameter, and distance from the leading edge.
- Note the current edge thickness and any shim or spacer between edge and moldboard.
Two-piece geometry: section length, center gap and overlap
A two-piece edge is not simply a single edge cut in half. The center joint is a design feature that affects how the halves load against the moldboard, and the section lengths must be specified as a pair rather than independently.
Where the halves meet, some moldboards use a butt joint with a small gap, others overlap or use a center rib. The edge sections must reproduce that geometry. If the replacement halves are each slightly long, the center joint closes and the outer holes drift off pattern. If they are short, the joint opens and the outer bolts carry more load. Specify left and right section lengths together, and confirm which side is handed if the hole pattern is not symmetric.
Thickness and hole spacing: what actually fits
Thickness and hole spacing are constrained by the moldboard and the bolt hardware, not chosen freely. A heavier edge only works if the plow bolts, nuts and moldboard holes are rated for it, and hole spacing must match the existing pattern within the tolerance the bolts allow.
| Parameter | What to confirm | Typical range (depends on model) |
|---|---|---|
| Edge thickness | Moldboard pocket depth and bolt length | Varies by blade class; confirm against current edge |
| Hole diameter | Plow bolt shank size | Matched to existing hardware |
| Hole spacing | Center-to-center along each section | Must match moldboard pattern |
| Section length | Left and right, as a pair | Set by moldboard width and center joint |
| Edge height | Wear allowance before moldboard contact | Depends on blade and duty cycle |
Dimensions and hole spacing follow the product page specification. Where a moldboard has been repaired or re-drilled, measure the actual holes rather than assuming the original pattern.
Steel grade and wear life
Grade selection follows the ground conditions and the cost of downtime more than the tractor size. A compact tractor on abrasive gravel and a compact tractor on packed snow can justify different grades at the same dimensions.
Through-hardened and boron-treated edges generally resist abrasion better than mild steel but cost more per kilogram, and they can be less forgiving on impact against buried obstacles. Wear life depends on abrasive content, down-pressure, operator technique and how much the edge is reversed or rotated. Expect life to vary by a factor of two or more across real fleet conditions; there is no single figure that applies. If your operation already reverses edges, the rules for that are covered in can you flip a cutting edge: reversible rules.
Fit check before you commit to a batch
A trial fit on one tractor catches most sizing errors before a full order is placed. Run this checklist on a single unit first.
- Bolt both halves loosely and check the center joint gap against the moldboard design.
- Confirm every hole aligns without reaming; note any hole that needs force.
- Check edge height against the moldboard lip and confirm wear allowance.
- Torque to the plow bolt specification and re-check the center joint.
- Operate for a short period and inspect for movement, gap opening or bolt loosening.
- Record the confirmed dimensions as the reorder specification for that fleet.
Commercial considerations for buyers
Two-piece edges change the procurement picture because left and right sections can wear differently and may be stocked or replaced separately. That affects MOQ, inventory and total cost per season.
Suppliers often set MOQ per section or per pair, and mixed left/right orders can complicate minimums. Lead time depends on whether the hole pattern is standard or made to order; custom patterns add tooling and inspection time. Total cost should be assessed per operating hour rather than per piece, including bolt hardware, labour for replacement and the risk of a pattern that does not match a repaired moldboard. Specification risk is highest where fleet tractors have been modified; a single confirmed drawing per tractor model reduces reordering errors. For the wider product range, see SENTHAI Tools.
Quick summary
Size a two-piece compact tractor edge from the moldboard bolt pattern and center joint, then confirm thickness and steel grade against the hardware and ground conditions. Trial-fit one unit and record the confirmed dimensions before ordering a batch. Wear life and cost vary widely with abrasion and duty cycle, so plan on ranges rather than fixed figures.
Sources checked on 2026-11-12: SENTHAI Tools product page specification for two-piece cutting edges; manufacturer bolt and torque guidance for plow bolts; distributor fitment notes for compact tractor moldboards.
Three more perspectives
Workshop: The most common fitting problem is a center joint that does not close because one section is slightly long. Check the joint before torqueing and keep a record of the confirmed pattern for each tractor in the fleet.
Purchasing: Order left and right as a matched pair where possible, confirm MOQ per section, and treat custom hole patterns as longer lead time. Compare cost per operating hour, not per edge.
Field: Abrasive ground and buried obstacles drive wear and impact damage more than tractor size. Rotating or reversing edges extends life, but only where the edge and hardware are designed for it.
Limits
This page is a sizing guide, not a fitment chart for a specific tractor model. It does not cover loader bucket edges, full-size plow blades or custom moldboards, and it does not replace the dimensions and hole spacing on the product page specification. Confirm all measurements against the actual machine before ordering.
