Save Money, Reduce Downtime, and Get OEM Reliability Without Paying OEM Prices

When an excavator breaks, you’ve got two problems:

1. the machine is down, and

2. 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 are absolutely better bought used than new.

Not “just as good,” not “almost as good” — better.

Why?Because used OEM parts give you:

• the same engineering

• the same reliability

• the same lifespan potential

• the same exact fit

• the same performance

…at 40%–70% cheaper than new parts.

In this blog, we’ll cover the 10 excavator components that make the MOST sense to buy used, why they’re safe, and why they’re the smartest choice for any contractor or plant-hire company.

Let’s get into it.

1. Final Drives (Travel Motors)

The biggest money-saver in the entire excavator world.

A new OEM final drive can cost:

• R80,000 to R200,000+

• Even more for large machines

A high-quality used OEM final drive from a supplier like Vikfin?40–70% cheaper, tested, cleaned, and ready to install.

Why used is better:

• OEM internals last thousands of hours

• Failures usually happen from seals, not gears

• Used OEM units typically have tons of life left

• Aftermarket final drives frequently fail early

Used OEM final drives outperform new aftermarket every single time.

2. Complete Engines

Buying a new OEM excavator engine is like buying a second excavator — the price is insane.

But a used OEM engine can be:

• compression-tested

• blow-by tested

• oil-tested

• performance-checked

• guaranteed

• ready to bolt in immediately

Why used is better:

• OEM engines are built to run 15,000+ hours

• Most used engines come from machines retired for unrelated issues

• New engines have massive dealer markups

• Used engines reduce downtime because they’re available immediately

Unless you’re rebuilding a high-value flagship machine, used is the smartest route for engines.

3. Hydraulic Pumps

A new OEM pump can cost R60,000–R150,000+ depending on your machine.

Used OEM pumps:

• still hold correct flow rates

• still maintain pressure

• often have minimal internal wear

• are tested before sale

• cost a fraction of new

Why used is better:

Hydraulic pumps rarely “die.” What usually fails?

• seals

• control valves

• external shafts

So the core of the pump still has years of life left.

Buying used OEM means you get real Komatsu, Volvo, CAT or Hitachi quality — not cheap Chinese knockoff pumps that cavitate on day one.

4. Swing Motors & Swing Gearboxes

Swing components are incredibly tough. OEM swing motors often last 12,000+ hours with regular maintenance.

New swing assemblies cost a fortune — especially from Volvo and CAT.

Used swing motors and gearboxes, however:

• are easy to test

• have long remaining lifespan

• rarely suffer catastrophic failure

• are much cheaper

A high-quality used swing motor can run for years with zero issues.

5. Control Valve Banks

Valve banks are one of the most over-priced OEM parts in the world.

A new valve bank can cost more than some complete used excavators.

But used OEM valve banks are:

• extremely durable

• easy to test for cross-port leakage

• resistant to internal scoring when oil is clean

• far cheaper

• usually from machines scrapped for unrelated failures

Since valve banks rarely fail unless the machine had severe contamination, used OEM is almost always the best value.

6. Track Frames and Undercarriage Components

Track frames don’t “wear out” fast — they bend, crack, or get damaged in accidents.

Used track frames are often taken from machines:

• retired early

• damaged in the boom/upper structure

• scrapped by insurance

• parted out due to an unrelated engine or pump failure

Why used is better:

• steel structure lasts decades

• OEM metallurgy is superior to cheap aftermarket

• enormous cost savings

• perfect OEM bolt alignment

New OEM frames are insanely expensive due to low supply and high shipping costs.

Used OEM frames?Affordable and just as strong as new.

7. Cylinders (Boom, Arm, Bucket)

Hydraulic cylinders are ideal used purchases.

Why?

Cylinders can be rebuilt over and over:

• new seals

• new bushes

• new chrome (if needed)

• new packing kits

So the “used” part you’re buying is really just:

• the cylinder barrel

• the structural body

• the OEM machining

• the quality steel

As long as the chrome rod is in good condition, used OEM cylinders are unbeatable value.

8. ECUs, Controllers & Electronic Modules

Electronic components are extremely expensive when purchased new — especially on Volvo, Hitachi, and Doosan machines.

And here’s the secret:

Electronics rarely fail from age.

Most failures come from:

• water damage

• wiring shorts

• operator abuse

• voltage surges

Used ECUs and controllers from salvaged machines are typically in perfect working order — and cost far less than new.

Vikfin tests these units before sale to ensure they’re fully functional.

9. Radiators, Oil Coolers & Heat Exchangers

Cooling components are shockingly expensive when bought new OEM.

But used radiators and coolers are a smart purchase because:

• OEM cores cool far better than aftermarket

• used units can be pressure-tested

• OEM fins are stronger and resist vibration

• failures normally occur from physical damage, not internal wear

Buying used cooling components saves massive money while keeping OEM efficiency.

10. Swing Bearings (Slew Rings)

New slew rings can cost R60,000 to R120,000+.

But used OEM slew rings, inspected and checked for play, are excellent value.

Here’s why:

• OEM slew rings use superior hardened steel

• aftermarket rings are notoriously soft

• good used slew rings still have thousands of hours left

• new units take weeks to arrive

If there’s minimal backlash and no chipped teeth, a used OEM slew ring will last a long time.

Why Used OEM Parts Are Better Than New Aftermarket Parts

Let’s break down the real reason used OEM is a smarter investment:

Used OEM is the sweet spot between saving money and maintaining top-tier reliability.

Why These 10 Parts Are Perfect for the Used Market

These components:

• are built to last

• rarely fail catastrophically

• can be accurately tested

• often come from lightly used or accident-damaged machines

• offer massive savings

• perform like new when maintained

Buying them new is often unnecessary.

Buying them aftermarket is risky.

Buying them used OEM is the smart move.

How Vikfin Ensures These Used Parts Are High Quality

Every part sold by Vikfin is:

• cleaned

• inspected

• serial-checked

• pressure-tested where applicable

• flow-tested (pumps)

• leak-tested (valves, motors)

• compression-tested (engines)

• graded

• guaranteed

This ensures you’re not just buying a “used part,”You’re buying a proper OEM-tested component with proven life remaining.

Conclusion: Stop Overspending — These 10 Parts Are Better Bought Used

If you’re running excavators in South Africa, especially in construction, plant hire, forestry, agriculture, or mining, you know how important uptime is.

And you also know how expensive repairs can be.

But these 10 parts:

• save you tens of thousands

• get your machine working faster

• give OEM reliability

• reduce risk

• keep your business profitable

• keep your fleet running longer

Used OEM parts aren’t the “cheap option” — they’re the smart option.

And for these parts, they’re honestly the best option.

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