When you’re repairing or maintaining an excavator, choosing the right parts comes down to one question: Am I getting a genuine OEM part, or a cheap aftermarket imitation? That question matters because the difference between the two is HUGE. A genuine OEM component will last longer, fit perfectly, protect your machine, and deliver the performance the manufacturer intended. A bad aftermarket imitation can ruin an engine, damage a final drive, or create safety problems on site.

(An educational, step-by-step guide for anyone purchasing used OEM final drives in South Africa) A final drive isn’t just another excavator part.It ’s the heart  of your machine’s travel system — and one of the most expensive components you’ll ever replace. Buying used OEM final drives is one of the smartest ways to save money… if  you know how to check their condition properly. Because let’s be honest:A final drive can look fine on the outside and still be an expensive disas

(Educational, clear, practical — written for real excavator operators and buyers in South Africa) When you walk into a parts yard or message a supplier, the first thing they’ll ask isn’t your excavator’s colour, bucket size, or where it last got stuck in the mud.They’ll ask you one thing : “Do you have the OEM part number?” For many machine owners, that question instantly triggers panic. They flip open a manual from 2004, scratch their heads, and pray the number they send isn

Hydraulics are the beating heart of your excavator. You blow that system, and you’re not just dealing with a repair — you’re dealing with a full-scale financial ambush. Operators complain about fuel costs, attachments, labour, insurance… but the one thing that quietly drains bank accounts across South Africa is poor hydraulic maintenance . And yes — it’s avoidable.And yes — most contractors know better.But no — they don’t do better. This blog breaks down exactly how skipping

When excavator owners complain about undercarriage wear, they usually blame the terrain, the operator, the machine brand, or even the weather.But the number one undercarriage killer — the silent assassin — is something far more basic: Incorrect track tension. Too tight → burns money.Too loose → causes damage.Just right → extends life dramatically. In this educational deep dive, you’ll learn exactly  how track tension works, why it affects every major undercarriage component,

Save Money, Reduce Downtime, and Get OEM Reliability Without Paying OEM Prices When an excavator breaks, you’ve got two problems: the machine is down, and your wallet is about to cry. Modern OEM parts are insanely expensive — especially from brands like Volvo, CAT, Komatsu, Hitachi, Doosan , and Hyundai . Even simple components can cost more than the entire machine is worth if it's older or high-hours. But here’s the truth smart contractors understand: Some excavator parts ar

When you think about maintaining your excavator, you probably picture greasing pins, checking hydraulic hoses, or replacing filters. But here’s a truth that separates the smart operators from the expensive repair stories — oil testing  is one of the most powerful, yet most overlooked tools in extending the life of your machine. In South Africa’s tough working environments — from the red dust of the Northern Cape to the coastal humidity of Durban — your excavator’s oil isn’t j

When you watch an excavator in action, it’s easy to focus on the big stuff — the roaring engine, the swinging boom, the bucket biting into the earth. But behind every precise movement, there’s a powerhouse component working under immense pressure to make it all happen: the dipper arm cylinder . It’s one of those parts that most operators only think about when it starts leaking — but by then, you’re already losing power, precision, and money. At Vikfin , South Africa’s trusted

When it comes to excavators, most operators think power means horsepower, torque, or hydraulic muscle. But there’s another kind of power hiding down below — one that doesn’t get the spotlight but literally keeps the whole machine moving. It’s the track adjuster , and without it, your excavator wouldn’t get far. This small but mighty component ensures your tracks stay tight, your undercarriage stays aligned, and your productivity stays on track — literally. At Vikfin , South A

When you’re in the market for a hydraulic excavator, there’s one question that always rises to the surface before anything else: Do you go for a wheeled excavator or a tracked one? Both look similar from a distance — a powerful boom, a bucket, and that familiar rotating cab — but what lies beneath makes all the difference. Whether you’re digging trenches, clearing debris, or handling material on a construction site, the type of undercarriage (wheels or tracks) determines how

When your excavator goes down, the clock starts ticking — and every minute of downtime costs you money. The pressure is on, and the temptation is real: you find a cheaper, non-OEM part online, it looks close enough, and you think, “How bad could it be?” Well… bad enough to cost you an engine, a final drive, or your next big contract. Mixing non-OEM (aftermarket) parts into an excavator designed with precise OEM tolerances is like putting cheap tyres on a Ferrari. It might rol

There’s one sound every excavator operator dreads — the grinding, groaning death rattle of a failing final drive. It’s like your machine is screaming for mercy while your wallet quietly cries in the corner. The final drive is the powerhouse of your excavator’s movement system. It transfers hydraulic power into track rotation — which means when it goes, your entire machine goes with it. No tracks, no work, no profit. And yet, it’s one of the most commonly neglected — and most

If you run excavators in South Africa, you already know: keeping them moving isn’t just about buying machines — it’s about keeping them alive.And when things break (because they will  break), your real profits come down to one question: “Can I get quality replacement parts — fast and affordably?” That’s where two of the biggest names in the industry come into focus: Volvo  and Doosan . Both are powerhouse brands with loyal followings, solid engineering reputations, and huge g

When you think about what kills profitability in the heavy equipment game, you probably picture catastrophic breakdowns — snapped hydraulic lines, seized engines, or a final drive that decides to commit suicide mid-project. But here’s the truth most operators learn too late: It’s not the big failures that drain your profits. It’s the small, silent ones — like leaks. That tiny drip of hydraulic oil? That faint smell of diesel? That slow coolant loss you top up once a week? The

In the construction game, downtime  is the enemy. When your excavator’s parked instead of digging, every minute costs you money — in idle crews, missed deadlines, and lost contracts. But there’s one simple, smart way to slash downtime without breaking the bank: using used OEM excavator parts  from a trusted supplier like Vikfin . Let’s break down exactly how  genuine OEM parts — even used ones — can keep your machines in the dirt and out of the workshop. 1. Perfect Fit, Every

Every powerful excavator you see on site — roaring, digging, breaking — is a collection of thousands of precision-engineered parts working together. But what happens when one of those machines reaches the end of its life? Does it all go to waste? Not at Vikfin. Behind every used OEM part that leaves our warehouse, there’s a story — a process that starts long before it lands in your hands. It’s a story of engineering precision, grit, and South African know-how. This is the sec

In the earthmoving world, profit margins can be razor thin. Between fuel prices, operator wages, site delays, and maintenance, it doesn’t take much for a good month to turn bad.But there’s one area where you can make massive savings  without compromising performance — and that’s your parts strategy. If you’re still paying top dollar for new OEM parts or gambling on cheap aftermarket ones, you’re missing the sweet spot: tested, used OEM excavator parts  from a reputable suppli

Your excavator’s engine governor quietly controls speed, fuel use, and power under load. Learn how it works, common signs of failure, and where to find quality used OEM replacements from Vikfin — South Africa’s trusted supplier of excavator parts. When your excavator is working hard — trenching, digging, or swinging a heavy load — it needs to deliver smooth, consistent power. You probably never think about how  your engine stays steady when the hydraulic load changes. But beh

"So, which is better—Volvo or CAT?" If I had a dollar for every time I’ve heard that question, I’d be writing this from a yacht instead...

There’s an old saying in the heavy machinery world: “If the price seems too good to be true, it probably is.” Nowhere is this more...