Every piece of equipment will need new parts eventually. Whether a component breaks, wears out, or you’re just upgrading, replacements will be necessary from time to time. When deciding which construction equipment parts are best for your machine, you have a few different options available. To help you out, we’re reviewing what those options are and what the benefits or drawbacks are of each different type.
The different categories of construction equipment parts
There are three primary types of construction equipment parts, OEM, aftermarket, and remanufactured.
OEM components – OEM means original equipment manufacturer. These parts are built by the same manufacturer who produced your machine. They are exactly the same as the components that were originally in the piece of equipment.
Aftermarket parts – Components or accessories that are produced by a different manufacturer than the one that built the machine are called aftermarket. They are engineered to closely resemble and replicate OEM parts, but they are not identical to them and are generally less expensive.
Remanufactured parts – Remanufacturing restores old or worn out complex parts to like new condition in terms of performance, quality, and reliability. The process works by completely taking it apart, cleaning it, checking it for quality, and then re-engineering and rebuilding it with new individual components. Reman parts are less expensive than OEM components, but they meet the same specifications. Typical examples of remanufactured parts include oil pumps, torque converters, power shuttles, A/C compressors, injection pumps, alternators, and others.
Which type of parts is best for your equipment?
OEM components are usually the right choice when it comes to purchasing construction equipment parts. The reasons why are quality, warranty, and reliable distribution.
- Quality– OEM parts are engineered and produced specifically for your machine from the same manufacturer. You can be confident of a precise fit and excellent performance. Plus, you’ll most likely have better support than you would with an aftermarket manufacturer if there is a problem with the part.
- Warranty– OEM components are generally covered by the manufacturer’s warranty, and using them will not affect your equipment warranty. Installation of aftermarket parts, on the other hand, may compromise or void your warranty.
- Reliable distribution– More often than not, manufacturers have a large dealer network and parts inventories, so you can locate and purchase what you need quickly to minimize equipment downtime.
With aftermarket parts, the main drawbacks are poor compatibility and quality. Due to their design, they may not work seamlessly with your machine without making some adjustments and modifications. These changes increase the cost of the part and may hinder its effectiveness.
Aftermarket parts are typically cheaper than OEM components because they are usually lower quality. They also generally aren’t put through as rigorous of testing to make sure they do their job properly. If you’re considering aftermarket parts, the question you need to ask yourself is, are you willing to risk costly downtime caused by an inferior component for a slight cost savings in the short term?
How about remanufactured parts?
Remanufactured parts are an excellent alternative to OEM components. They are much less expensive than purchasing new, but, unlike aftermarket options, they are engineered and produced to the same factory specifications and often covered by warranties that are the same as or better than new OEM parts.
When it comes to choosing construction equipment parts, we recommend you choose OEM components or remanufactured options. If you have any questions about which parts to choose, contact our team today!