Considering all of the help that I got here, I thought it only right to let you guys know what I settled on.
The Loewen was priced at about $1075 + [about] $90 freight.
The St. John was priced @ about $700 (exchange) + [about] $75 freight.
The Sunny Brook was priced @ about $1600 (USD) + [about] $300 freight.
All of the aftermarket concaves sounded really good. I spoke to each company; and each person that I spoke with was very accomodating, and took their time explaining their product.
The Loewen sounds good, heavy, and well thought-out. Their concave is 14 bar. I talked w/Grant @ Abilene Machine..very nice guy.
The St. John is great sounding, too, and is 14 bar, also. This company said that they have gotten away from the 9610 design..sorry, with all of the info., I can not recall why..I want to report this stuff accurately, as they were all very gracious. I visited w/ Terry..he really knows his stuff...
Sunny Brook 'makes' JD's concaves, now (go through Deere to get it). They also make a
'better' concave (that they will sell direct). The '
better' model has the replaceable front edge. It bolts in with stove bolts, and sounds really nice. The replaceable edges (306 stainless) costs about $300 (including shipping). This is a 15 bar. The concave they build for Deere 'stops following the circle' at bar 9. Their
'better' model stops following the circle at bar 14 & 15. I also think it is worth noting that their '
better' concave has about 100 pounds more material than the other brands...(per Sunny Brook). I visited w/ Gerald...wow, this guy can get just as technical as you desire..he is pictured in SBs article.
http://www.sunnybrookwelding.com/cwestory.pdf
I sure do not want to misrepresent any of the info. that was told to me, so I will quit right there. If you have a question in particular, I will try to answer it...sure
not trying to know it all..just eager to help if I can.. All three makers told me that they sometimes visit this Forum and other forums. They also said (and I think this is commendable) that they do not 'add' to the conversation, in fear of 'advertising without paying'.
I ultimately went with the St. John. I did not go with this just because it was cheaper. In fact, by the time I send my exchange back to them, it is gonna be about a wash with the Loewen. I do not think a person could go very wrong with any of these brands. These guys have really thought it out, and are trying their best to make us a long-life concave. The hard surfacing is [one of the most important] key ingredient(s), no doubt...