What is the Advantage and Disadvantage of Aftermarket Tractor Parts

Heavy machinery and reliable equipment require specific components to function correctly and efficiently. Whether you need to administer emergency repairs or routine maintenance, having access to quality parts is crucial for minimizing downtime and boosting productivity.

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When browsing for replacement parts, one of the most common considerations is whether to opt for original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts or aftermarket components. Both types of parts can deliver benefits, but there are also a few drawbacks you should be aware of to ensure you make the right decision for your equipment, team, and budget. Here, you can learn more about OEM Cat® parts and aftermarket components to determine which will most benefit your business.

Understanding OEM vs. Aftermarket Cat® Parts

OEM parts are components that come from the part’s original manufacturer. OEM parts are often brand-specific, such as Cat. These components possess equipment compatibility guarantees because in-house development teams craft the parts using the same processes and materials you already know work for your equipment. You have to order OEM parts directly from the manufacturer or a dealership, so it’s a good idea to have a local supplier you can count on.

Aftermarket parts can come from name-brand or third-party manufacturers but do not come from the original manufacturer. These components typically lack recognizable branding, meaning Cat aftermarket parts may not have the logo, helping to drive prices down. Aftermarket parts are often widely available, and you can purchase them from heavy machinery suppliers or online shopping places. Having a reliable aftermarket provider can be worthwhile for teams looking to save money, but choosing a lackluster supplier can result in wasted time, decreased productivity, and unnecessary costs over time.

Quality Comparison: Are Aftermarket Parts as Good as OEM?

When purchasing OEM or aftermarket parts, it’s essential to consider the quality and how the part will impact your equipment. Regardless of the specific parts you need, it’s a safe bet to assume you want durable options that last and allow your equipment to operate efficiently.

You can find quality aftermarket and OEM parts if you know where to look. Purchasing directly from the manufacturer ensures quality, as these parts will meet manufacturer standards and carry the warranties and promises you need or expect.

Finding quality aftermarket parts may seem more challenging, but it’s certainly possible. Always research the manufacturer of aftermarket parts. Consider the company’s reputation, customer reviews, and the standards it upholds or the certifications it possesses.

It’s best to consider the quality of individual parts when preparing to buy a new component, but it can be beneficial to understand the overall benefits and drawbacks of these products before beginning your search. Take a deeper look at the advantages and disadvantages of either component type below.

Cost Analysis Between OEM and Aftermarket Parts

Cost is often one of the first factors business owners or managers consider when it’s time for new parts. While finding an affordable initial price point is beneficial, it’s also critical to evaluate the overall cost-effectiveness of any component. OEM parts will typically have higher upfront costs than aftermarket parts. Known brand components carry the warranties, durability, and commitments from the manufacturer, driving prices up. Alternatively, aftermarket parts have a lower initial price tag because they don’t have this brand backing.

However, it’s crucial to look beyond your initial investment. Although aftermarket parts may be more budget-friendly at purchase, they could cost your business more over time. If the part is less suitable for your equipment than an OEM component, you could see performance impacts like unnecessary stress or overworking parts. Compensating for the less-than-ideal part could lead to excessive maintenance or repair costs that require you to spend more over time.

Component Durability Factors

Generally, OEM parts are more durable than aftermarket components. OEM parts undergo a brand’s specific testing and meet unique requirements before hitting the shelves. While many manufacturers may utilize some standards to determine aftermarket durability, it can be more challenging to determine what these standards are or how the components performed. Additionally, OEM components typically have a longer life span because they utilize high-quality materials and the components are the ideal fit for the equipment, preventing other machinery parts from overworking or underperforming.

You may also notice a difference in part performance in varying conditions. OEM parts are suitable for your equipment, capable of operating in various conditions common for your machinery. Alternatively, aftermarket parts may be less suitable for less-than-ideal environmental conditions. This factor may not be a deterrent for some teams, but if you work in varying conditions regularly, it can be beneficial to seek OEM components to ensure equipment function when you need it.

Part Availability, Installation, and Compatibility Challenges

One of your final considerations will be availability, installation, and compatibility. Unfortunately, OEM parts can be trickier to find because high demands can lead to low availability. This means you may have to decide between prolonging equipment downtime to wait for the part you need or biting the bullet by choosing an aftermarket part. Depending on your anticipated wait time, it may be more cost-effective to choose the aftermarket part.

Another issue you may run into involves installation and compatibility. As we mentioned before, OEM parts are equipment-specific, providing peace of mind that they’ll fit in your equipment and empower efficient operation. Alternatively, compatibility is not a given when it comes to aftermarket parts. Some aftermarket pieces may not align properly, resulting in gaps or tight fits. These issues can quickly cause significant problems by forcing other components to experience excessive or premature wear, threatening your equipment’s life span.

Navigate these challenges and make more informed equipment decisions with professional equipment management services. Technicians can evaluate machine data to determine the best solution for reducing risks, improving operations, and controlling costs. Additionally, professional equipment maintenance, repair, and installation services can ensure you get the most from any component and extend equipment lifetimes.

Find the Equipment Parts You Need From Thompson Tractor

Thompson Tractor is your one-stop shop for equipment sales and parts or services for that equipment. As a full-line Caterpillar dealer, we proudly serve Northern Florida and Alabama, providing high-quality services and durable solutions that last. Our team has been building relationships for over six decades, so we know a thing or two about ensuring equipment quality.

We offer a wide range of new and used parts to meet your budget while ensuring functionality. Our skilled technicians can meet many equipment needs, empowering us to be your top choice for maintenance, repairs, purchasing options, and more. We also offer a component rebuild service to give components a second life. This service ensures every component meets or exceeds factory standards so you can minimize downtime and optimize your operations.

Farm and construction equipment owners, do you ever waiver back and forth when deciding which parts to buy for your machine?

It's the age-old question: Original or aftermarket? Which is actually the way to go?

The answer: It depends. Like many things, choosing what's best depends on context and priorities. 

At Titan Machinery, we believe that when you bring your heavy equipment to your dealership, you should be confident that the techs and parts specialists providing you recommendations have YOUR best interest in mind.

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To help, we're breaking it down for you here.

What are "genuine" or "OEM" parts? 

Often referred to as "OEM" or "genuine," Original Equipment Manufacturer parts are replacement parts made by the same company (or manufacturer) that originally manufactured your machine. That means they've been developed specifically for your equipment's design, meet the intended safety and performance standards, and often come with a warranty from the manufacturer. At Titan, our customers lock in a 12-month parts/service warranty on genuine CNHi parts when a Titan Machinery technician installs them.

The benefits of OEM parts sound hard to beat, right?

Well, they are, and we're firm believers that OEM is more often the way to go than not. Even so, we understand that consumers consider aftermarket parts for a reason.

Are aftermarket parts good enough? 

Aftermarket parts are replacement parts manufactured by a third party. They can be designed to fit a variety of makes and aren't guaranteed to be fully compatible or meet the safety and performance standards your machine's manufacturer has set. 

That said, they do have some initial benefits. Which is best for you largely hinges on your priorities and how those fit into your budget. Aftermarket parts can be good enough, but we recommend fully understanding the pros and cons of each before deciding.

OEM vs. Aftermarket 

Going head to head, the most prominent themes between original and aftermarket parts are choice, cost, and quality.

Choice

Because third parties develop aftermarket parts, any parts manufacturer who wants to manufacture and sell can do so—anywhere around the globe. As a result, buyers will naturally have more options, but with the caveat that there are also many more low-quality parts in that mix. 

Cost

Aftermarket manufacturers often utilize inferior materials and less strict requirements, so they also tend to be notably cheaper upfront. Cheaper to produce means cheaper to buy. While this does not always make them more cost-effective in the long term, it makes them a popular choice for those prioritizing upfront affordability. Naturally, the higher quality and guarantee of OEM parts also come with a higher price tag. 

Quality, Compatibility, and Lifespan

Quality, compatibility, and lifespan all work together. Your manufacturer designs genuine or OEM parts to precisely fit their equipment and applications using high-quality and durable materials. Selecting these parts guarantees compatibility that aftermarket parts cannot and usually comes with a more robust warranty. Additionally, because manufacturers do not oversee the standards of aftermarket parts, their quality can vary widely from one supplier to the next.

The takeaway

So, which is better?

Ultimately, what matters most to us is that you're using high-quality parts in your machines.

While you should determine what's best for your current budget and circumstances, Titan Machinery parts specialists are also here to help you weigh all the options fairly. 

If you have a tight budget or only need a quick repair, aftermarket parts may be a suitable option for you. Just be aware of the tradeoffs you could be making in quality, dependability, fit, and warranty.

Meanwhile, if your machine is under a warranty that could be affected by the installation of aftermarket parts, you want more uptime between part replacements, or you want a guarantee the part will fit, OEM/genuine parts are the way to go.

Reman parts: an alternative to new for CNH owners

For CNH operators, there's a third solution.

Reman parts by CNH are remanufactured and "engineered specifically for CNH machines to provide good‑as‑new functionality through the entire assembly."

Reman parts are not recycled, repaired, restored, refurbished, or used. Rather, they are parts that have been "examined, reclaimed, and tested to original performance specifications" to provide you with a load of benefits, including:

• Good as new, improved parts:  Hindsight is 20/20, so these parts are as good as new and remanufactured with improvements for optimized performance.
• Availability: With thousands of CNHi Reman remanufactured replacement parts available for over 20,000 applications, our parts experts will find what you need.
• 24-month Warranty: Reman parts also come with a 24-month parts and labor warranty coverage that covers a wide range of genuine CNHi Reman parts and components, including Reman engine components*, Reman drivelines, Reman transmissions, Reman gearboxes, Reman electric, and Reman hydraulic.
• Peace of mind: Because genuine remanufactured parts get specifically engineered for your equipment, you'll minimize risks while increasing dependability and peace of mind.
• Increased uptime: Drop-in assemblies reduce labor hours and the risk of costly surprises often accompanying complicated rebuilds, saving you time, money, and stress.
• Lower ownership cost: Reman parts are competitively priced, plain and simple. You get great value and peak performance.
• Environment-friendly: Remanufactured parts require up to 85% less energy to produce so that you can contribute to a cleaner world.

  Learn More & Shop Reman Parts

Whatever you choose, trust that Titan takes care of you.

Use our location finder below to find your nearest farm, construction, or application equipment dealership, and let us know how we can help. 

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