Why You Should Consider Aftermarket Hydraulic Parts
If you’re a business owner with a fleet of equipment, you know that maintenance is a necessary expense that could make or break your business. It’s a constant battle to keep those machines running and contending with expensive repairs and downtime.
Machinery is expensive, no matter how you look at it. As a business owner, you constantly try to make the most of your finances without cutting corners. Fortunately, you’re not alone; there is a solution – aftermarket components!
Aftermarket hydraulic components can help you save money, reduce downtime, and even improve the performance of your equipment. Today, we’ll discuss aftermarket hydraulic parts, their pros and cons, and how you can benefit from them.
At Mission Hydraulics, we strive to ensure the highest-quality aftermarket components for your hydraulic needs. Whether you need a replacement pump, motor, or cylinder, we've got you covered.
Are you pumped? Let’s get started!
A History of Hydraulics
Hydraulics have been traced back to 6000 BC when ancient Mesopotamians and Egyptians used water power for irrigation. The ancient Romans, Greeks and Persians also furthered developments in hydraulic technology over the centuries, building large infrastructure projects for agriculture and water distribution.
Many of these large projects have been lost to time, though archeologists are slowly rediscovering them.
In 1653, French physicist Blaise Pascal (not the French-Canadian songwriter) established what became known as Pascal’s Law, one of the principle laws of hydrodynamics. That discovery spurred many more discoveries and developments, leading to the Industrial Revolution and the advent of mechanical tools, especially machines that allowed for construction and production on a significantly larger scale.
Today, advances in material science and hydraulics continue to push the envelope for more powerful, better, and efficient hydraulics, and modern construction equipment benefits vastly from these discoveries.
Hydraulics Today
Modern construction processes and machinery are only possible with hydraulics. Whether to lift, push, pull, or dig, machines aided by hydraulics can perform various back-breaking tasks faster, more efficiently, and safely than people could ever do manually.
To ensure that the machinery continues to perform at the expected level, manufacturers sell parts to replace anything on their broken machinery, guaranteeing that it will fit and function as intended. These parts are called OEM or Original Equipment Manufacturers.
However, with these incredibly powerful and efficient hydraulic systems, there is a cost, as these parts are becoming more complex and expensive to manufacture. As these costs increase, aftermarket components initially become a way to offset these costs by offering lower pricing and quality. Today, aftermarket components offer equal or better quality and performance and are vital to the mechanical services industry.
We’ll discuss how aftermarket hydraulics help you, but we’ll explore the pros and cons of OEM hydraulic parts first so you can be better informed to decide.
The Challenges of Procuring OEM Hydraulics
There’s a certain appeal to going back to the equipment manufacturer to replace your hydraulics:
1. Quality Assurance and Compatibility:
OEM components are made to the exact specifications and standards of the original; you can be assured that you bought a high-quality, reliable part that will fit perfectly and perform optimally.
2. Warranty Protection and Peace of Mind:
OEM parts often preserve the equipment's warranty, and because the components also tend to be of higher quality, you get better longevity on these parts, leading to peace of mind regarding safety and performance.
3. Support and Service:
OEMs usually provide better technical support and service, including better documentation and access to a larger pool of expertise.
4. Resale Value:
Machinery maintained with OEM parts often retains a better resale value since there is more predictability regarding the wear and tear of the equipment.
However, there are some disadvantages for OEMs to consider:
1. Cost and Availability:
The greatest barriers to purchasing OEM parts are the higher cost compared to aftermarket parts and the availability, as OEM parts are subject to longer lead times due to limited production runs or high demand.
2. Warranty and Service Complexities:
Anyone who’s attempted to install an app or program on their computer would recall seeing the infamous End User License Agreement (EULA), which may require a lawyer to decipher. Like EULAs, many OEMs require license agreements with strict requirements, sometimes rendering warranties void because the component was not installed to the letter of the license agreement.
3. Dependence on a Single Supplier:
Relying on a single OEM can be risky if the supplier encounters production issues or discontinues a product line. The obsolescence of a proprietary part can result in retiring an entire piece of equipment, leading to losses in money and productivity.
4. Supply Chain Issues:
You’ll likely remember the phrase “supply chain” chain being one of the hottest buzzwords during the COVID-19 epidemic. Supply chain disruptions were so severe that some manufacturers are still catching up to demand or overcompensated and ended up losing money due to overproduction.
So, how does an aftermarket component reduce the pressure on your need for hydraulic parts? Let’s read on to find out!
Aftermarket Components – A Solution
In the early stages of the American space program, the Mercury 7 astronauts would joke that they were flying in a rocket built by the lowest bidder. In a way, that’s how Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) components are – the parts are up to spec, but they achieved it in the cheapest possible way.
There’s a perception that aftermarket components are inferior to OEM parts, but the reality is that it depends on the manufacturer. An aftermarket product could be up to spec but made of better materials to provide the added benefit of longevity or performance.
Advantages of purchasing aftermarket hydraulic components include:
1. Cost and Quality:
Cost is the most compelling case when purchasing aftermarket parts. Aftermarket parts are generally cheaper and at least up to or even exceed factory specifications.
2. Availability and Variety:
Aftermarket parts are usually more readily available since the item can be sourced from multiple suppliers. Another benefit of the aftermarket ecosystem is that you can look for parts suited to your needs and preferences.
3. Innovation:
Many aftermarket companies will innovate and improve existing designs that enhance performance and durability, giving you more bang for the buck.
4. Warranty:
Reputable aftermarket manufacturers often offer comparable or even better warranties than OEMs. While more favorable warranties are a way to attract customers early on, many companies choose to provide generous warranties as a way to build rapport with their customers and show their confidence in their products.
Consider these potential disadvantages when thinking of purchasing aftermarket parts:
1. Compatibility and Performance Variability:
While the part may be designed to work with a specific equipment model, there is a certain amount of unpredictability that may not have been accounted for during the design process despite the manufacturer’s best efforts. This may result in performance variability due to the part not being “plug and play,” unlike OEM parts. You must have competent and experienced mechanics who know how to troubleshoot the equipment that they’re working with.
2. Warranty Concerns and Resale Value:
Consider whether your equipment’s warranty will be voided should you take the aftermarket plunge. In addition, because aftermarket components can push the equipment to perform beyond factory spec, your resale value could be affected.
3. Technical Support:
The level of support you’d get from an aftermarket supplier may not be as polished as from an OEM manufacturer, especially among smaller, lesser-known companies.. Support may take longer due to smaller numbers of support staff with expertise, so you could be waiting longer than expected for a response.
The aftermarket supplier you work with must have an established reputation for excellent technical support. At Mission Hydraulics, we have over 50 years of experience and expertise in the industry and choose only the best suppliers so you can rely on us to handle your parts and technical support needs.
How Does an Aftermarket Company Help?
While it seems obvious that the purpose of an aftermarket supply company is to sell aftermarket parts, there’s a lot more to that:
1. Supply Shain Relief:
The availability of aftermarket parts takes the pressure off finding available OEM parts. You’ll often get more than one alternative to the OEM part of your choice, with various price points.
2. Expertise:
People working in the aftermarket supply business focus on knowing what’s out there and providing you with the equipment to help you do the job you need at a price point that would fit your needs.
3. A Business Partnership:
As a smaller business, your local aftermarket supplier would want to build a business relationship with you, ensuring your needs are met by keeping an eye on your supply chain needs. Aside from that Christmas card thanking you for being a customer, building that personal connection lets you say, “I’ve got a guy” when something is needed.
It’s important to note that the quality of aftermarket parts can vary. While some aftermarket parts are designed and manufactured to meet or exceed OEM specifications, others may be of lower quality and may not perform as well as OEM parts.
It’s essential to research the quality of the part and the manufacturer's reputation. While you could do it yourself, a reliable and reputable aftermarket reseller can take the pressure off you by having access to quality aftermarket hydraulics and the experience to know what would work for your needs. The aftermarket hydraulic reseller is your partner in ensuring that your equipment operates smoothly.
Conclision
If you are looking for a reputable aftermarket hydraulic reseller to partner with, we’d love to help! At Mission Hydraulics, we aim to ensure that you have access to the best aftermarket components for your hydraulic needs and the most knowledgeable sales and support team.
Can we help supply your hydraulic needs? Contact us today to find out!