If you’re trying to find an aftermarket hydraulic part for your bulldozer, excavator, wheel loader, skidder, skid steer, compact track loader, or some other type of machine, sourcing a good company to buy the part from isn’t always so simple.
Dealers usually do all they can to control distribution and sale of spare parts for the machines they build and since machine owners can get quality parts aftermarket for a fraction of what they cost OEM, aftermarket parts are a real threat to dealers.
Companies like John Deere, Caterpillar, Volvo, Komatsu, Kobelco and others will guard their part numbers like a sweet momma crocodile guards her unhatched eggs along the Nile River. Fortunately, machine owners such as yourself are educated, savvy people so you know getting numbers off your original hydraulic part is the key to finding the part aftermarket.
Your pump or cylinder should have the part number listed along with a host of other numbers. For John Deere, the part number will likely begin with an AT, RE, TH, T or an R. (AT180832 or RE33603) For Caterpillar parts the part numbers are usually six digits long, often with a letter in the second place (6Y5892) For Komatsu, most part numbers have at least one dash and usually two. (208-26-00211) Volvo part numbers usually have eight digits and often begin with the number one. (11103084)
Getting the number you need isn’t always possible. Often part numbers are worn off or aren’t readable. Perhaps you don’t have the parts manual anymore. You may be tempted to call your local dealer to get the part number but don’t be surprised if they give you the cold shoulder. Even if they give you a part number you actually can’t be certain they gave you the right one. Often, dealers will disguise their numbers by altering them by a digit or two.
Whether you have the part number or not, a great way to get the aftermarket part you need is to call a reliable company that deals all makes and models on a regular basis such as ConEquip Parts. This is where you can get the help you need in not only identifying the part number and finding an aftermarket option, but also determine if aftermarket is the best option for your situation.
“Sometimes a used or rebuilt option will work better for a customer’s machine. Our parts specialists are trained to go through a process to determine what is best for our customer’s needs,” says Al Alexander, President of ConEquip Parts.
Many parts for machines are “OEM Specials” meaning there are no aftermarket options available. That doesn’t necessarily mean you are at the mercy of the dealer. Again, parts brokers such as ConEquip Parts can often find options that will still save you money for quality parts, sometimes even OEM surplus parts at an amazing discount. Click below to get a quote today!
