By Gene Torbush
Caterpillar Forest Products
There are many factors to consider when choosing parts for your equipment. Cost comes to mind, but you also want to consider machine age, value and application before buying a replacement part. Original equipment manufacturers (OEM) parts are the ideal choice for newer machines. OEM parts are manufactured to precise dimensions using specific materials. The designs are based on knowledge of the total machine—not just the system itself, but how it interacts with other systems and the specific applications of that machine. This knowledge results in consistent quality in every part.
Aftermarket parts are often described as “will-fit” parts. Yes, they may fit, but will they perform to the same level as an OEM part for the expected life of the machine? It may seem at the outset that an OEM part is more expensive, until you consider overall owning and operating costs and how a specific part will affect performance. Even small differences in dimension or material can shorten life or alter performance.
The question you should ask yourself is: Will a lower priced, will-fit part actually reduce overall owning and operating costs? For instance, a valve that saves a little money at first could be slightly thinner in its dimensions or made from a different material than an OEM valve, causing it to fail early. The will-fit valve could drop into the cylinder, damage the piston and cylinder head and then the turbo on its way out the exhaust manifold.
Gears, which are used in every functional component of a drivetrain, are another example of the difference a new quality part can make. Because gears play different roles based on operational needs, different heat-treat processes are required. In high-speed transmissions, gears must have long-term durability. In final drives, gears must be able to withstand extreme shock loads. The right heat-treat process—case carburizing hardened, nitride hardened or induction hardened—translates into longer gear life and more reliable machine availability. Will-fit gears that are not manufactured to these standards will cause problems eventually.
In these examples, short-term savings could lead to major failures easily costing thousands of dollars, not to mention lost revenue due to downtime. A part that doesn’t perform to expected standards—potentially causing expensive early-hour failures and unscheduled downtime—is clearly not cost-effective. There are situations, however, when OEM parts may not be the most cost-effective option. For example, if your machine is near the end of its life cycle and you just want to keep it running as a back-up machine, an OEM part that will last 2,000 hours may not make sense in a machine projected to last just another 500 hours.
For older machines consider OEM-approved remanufactured parts, a lower-cost option that still delivers quality performance above that of will-fit parts. You can expect the major forestry equipment manufacturers to follow state-of-the-art salvage techniques of their own genuine parts, strict reuse guidelines, advanced manufacturing systems and high quality control standards to deliver remanufactured parts that perform like new at a fraction-of-new cost. And many times they will incorporate any critical engineering updates into their remanufactured parts. Many manufacturers also will provide same-as-new warranties on remanufactured parts. Whether you choose OEM or remanufactured, you are getting parts you can rely on from the manufacturer who knows your equipment best.