For smooth cuts with clean edges in green concrete, the blades are laser welded and designed with narrow water slots.

Husqvarna SD5+ Dri Disc (542774717)

If you’re looking for a powerful, reliable diamond blade for cutting fresh (green) concrete and abrasive materials, the Husqvarna SD5+ Dri Disc (part number 542774717) is a top-tier option. Known for its smooth starts, durable segments, and low cost per foot, this blade is ideal for professional contractors demanding performance and longevity.

In this deep dive, we’ll cover everything about the Husqvarna SD5+ Dri Disc 542774717: its design, optimal cutting applications, technical specifications, how to pick the right size, installation tips, maintenance, and pros and cons. This will help you decide if this blade fits your jobsite needs and how to get the most from it.

What Is the Husqvarna SD5+ Dri Disc (Part 542774717)?

The Husqvarna SD5+ Dri Disc is a diamond saw blade built specifically for green concrete cutting (i.e. concrete that hasn’t fully cured), though it also performs well on other materials like abrasive concrete, pavers, and masonry.

• It is classified as a general-purpose blade, balancing life, cost per cut, and versatility. 

• The 542774717 corresponds to a 10-inch SD5+ blade variant. 

• The blade features laser-welded segments and narrow water slots to enhance cutting smoothness and reduce binding. 

• It is marketed for wet or dry cutting (Dri-Disc capability), allowing flexibility on job sites without perfect water setups. 

Husqvarna describes the SD5+ blade as optimized for green concrete: hard abrasive, hard non-abrasive, and medium-hard abrasive surfaces. 

Key Design Features & Benefits

1. Smooth and Controlled Start

The segment geometry is designed to reduce surface contact when new, which helps the blade begin cutting smoothly rather than jerking or binding. 

2. Laser-Welded Segments

Laser welding ensures that the diamond segments remain firmly anchored to the steel core, especially valuable under high heat or heavy loads. 

3. Narrow Water Slots

These slots help dissipate heat and flush away debris, while minimizing coolant flow disruption—important in dry cutting or limited water conditions. 

4. Versatility in Material Types

Although optimized for green concrete, the SD5+ is also built to handle abrasive concrete, masonry, and general construction materials. It strikes a balance between toughness and cutting speed. 

5. Low Cost per Foot

One of its advertised strengths is a long service life and a low cost per foot of cut, making it economical for contractors doing heavy cutting schedules. 

Technical Specifications for 542774717 (10″ Variant)

Here’s a breakdown of the specs for the 10-inch version of the SD5+ Dri Disc with part number 542774717:

These specs make it a solid choice for mid-sized walk-behind concrete saws and flat saw equipment.

Applications & Ideal Use Cases

Because of its design and strengths, the SD5+ Dri Disc 542774717 works best in the following scenarios:

• Green concrete cutting (i.e. saw-cutting control joints within hours of pouring)

• Early entry sawing on slabs that haven’t fully cured

• General concrete cutting where a balance of speed and life is needed

• Dry or low-water conditions where wet cutting isn't feasible

• Walk-behind flat saws requiring a 10-inch blade to slice joints or openings

For very dense or extremely abrasive concrete, more heavy-duty blades (ultra-cut or hard-concrete types) might offer better durability; but SD5+ offers versatility across many typical site conditions.

How to Select the Right Size Variant

While 10-inch is the part 542774717 version, the SD5+ family includes other diameters (7", 8", 9", maybe others) to suit different saws and applications.

Choosing the right blade size depends on:

1. Saw compatibility – matching arbor size (5/8", 1") and blade clearance

2. Desired cutting depth – larger diameters allow deeper cuts

3. Saw horsepower – larger blades require more torque

4. Application area – for joint cutting or shallow slices, smaller blade may suffice

If you're using a walk-behind concrete saw or small flat saw, ensure your machine supports the 10" SD5+ before ordering.

Installation & Best Practices

To get maximum life and performance from your SD5+ Dri Disc, follow these best practices:

• Proper arbor fit & runout: Ensure the blade is mounted to a clean arbor with minimal runout (<0.001 in)

• Correct RPM: Follow recommended RPM limits for the blade size (consult Husqvarna specs)

• Cooling / water usage: Even though Dri-Disc allows dry cutting, use water if possible to extend life

• Gentle starts: Let the blade spin up before engaging concrete to avoid chipping

• Avoid binding: Use steady feed rates to reduce side stresses

• Rotation / flip segments: For double-sided blades, flip halfway through life if applicable

Following these reduces wear, prevents segment loss, and ensures consistent cutting performance.

Maintenance & Blade Life Optimization

To maximize the usable life of your Husqvarna SD5+ 542774717:

• Clean the blade regularly — concrete slurry or debris buildup can interfere with cutting

• Dress the blade if cutting in soft/abrasive mixes — expose fresh diamond

• Store properly in dry environment to avoid corrosion

• Avoid hitting rebar or skipping on aggregate — sudden impact damages segments

• Use the blade in its optimal conditions — avoid extreme abrasion or extremely abrasive mixes outside its intended use

With good practices, this SD5+ blade should deliver reliable performance through dozens to hundreds of cuts depending on material abrasiveness.

Pros & Cons Summary

Strengths / Pros:

• Balanced performance for green concrete and general concrete cuts

• Laser-welded segments and narrow slots promote cleaner cuts

• Dri-Disc capability allows dry or wet operation

• Long life yields lower cost per foot

• Flexible size (10" variant) compatible with common walk-behind saws

Limitations / Cons:

• Not a “superabrasive” blade for extremely hard aggregate jobs

• Dry cutting shortens blade life vs. wet cutting

• Requires precise mounting and RPM control

• For deep or heavy-duty applications, larger or specialty blades may outperform

Conclusion & Recommendation

If your job involves cutting green concrete—especially control joints in freshly poured slabs—or you need a versatile blade for general concrete sawing, the Husqvarna SD5+ Dri Disc 542774717 is an excellent choice. It offers a smart balance of life, performance, and cost efficiency.

By pairing the blade with proper mounting procedures, correct saw settings, and good maintenance, you’ll maximize cutting consistency and blade longevity.