Final Drives, Hydraulic Pumps & More: The Big-Ticket Parts You Should Always Buy Used OEM

1. Introduction — The Parts That Eat Your Budget Alive

Every contractor knows there are “little” parts and then there are the wallet-killers.Pins, filters, and hoses you replace without thinking. But final drives, hydraulic pumps, swing motors, and engines? Those are the parts that can blow a hole in your cash flow overnight.

This blog zeroes in on those high-value components — the ones that can make or break your budget — and shows why smart operators buy them used OEM instead of paying full retail or gambling on cheap aftermarket copies.

2. Why Big-Ticket Parts Matter

Heavy equipment ownership costs are already brutal. When a major component fails you’re not just paying for the part — you’re paying for:

• Lost production.

• Idle crew.

• Possible penalties for delays.

• Extra transport to bring in backup machines.

It’s exactly in these high-stakes moments that the choice of new OEM vs. aftermarket vs. used OEM matters the most.

3. The Short List — The “No-Brainer” Used OEM Parts

Based on price, availability, and performance, these are the components you should always look for as tested used OEM before you sign a purchase order:

1. Final Drives & Travel Motors

2. Hydraulic Pumps & Motors

3. Swing Motors & Gearboxes

4. Engines & Engine Assemblies

5. Undercarriage Assemblies (track frames, rollers, idlers)

6. Boom/Stick Cylinders & Large Hydraulics

Let’s break them down.

4. Final Drives & Travel Motors

Why they’re critical: They keep a 20–40 ton machine moving. When they fail, you’re dead in the water.

New OEM: R300,000–R400,000 each.Aftermarket: R150,000 but lifespan unpredictable.Used OEM (Vikfin): R130,000–R180,000, tested, ready to ship.

A well-maintained OEM final drive can easily deliver another 5,000–10,000 hours after rebuild or testing. Buying used OEM here is a no-brainer.

5. Hydraulic Pumps & Motors

Why they’re critical: They’re the heart of your excavator’s power. Bad pump = weak digging, overheating, and eventually catastrophic failure.

New OEM: R400,000+ for big units.Aftermarket: Cheaper but known to fail at a fraction of OEM life.Used OEM: Typically 40–60% of new, already pressure-tested.

Reputable suppliers pressure-test and bench-run pumps so you know flow and pressure meet OEM specs before you buy.

6. Swing Motors & Gearboxes

Swing is one of the most abused systems on an excavator — constant starting, stopping, and heavy loads. OEM units are overbuilt. Aftermarket copies often suffer from gear wear and poor seals.

A used OEM swing motor/gearbox from a low-hour machine can run for years at half the cost of new.

7. Engines & Engine Assemblies

Dropping a brand-new OEM engine into a machine can cost more than the machine is worth. Used OEM engines or tested assemblies (short blocks, long blocks, cylinder heads) are often the only financially sane option.

Good suppliers run compression tests, check injectors and turbos, and give you a documented report. You get OEM engineering and proven hours at a fraction of new.

8. Undercarriage Assemblies

Rollers, idlers, and track frames chew up budgets fast. While you might use aftermarket on small items, large undercarriage assemblies pulled from low-hour machines are a sweet spot for used OEM.

9. Boom/Stick Cylinders & Large Hydraulics

Large cylinders are expensive to replace new. A used OEM cylinder with a reseal kit installed can give you years of service at a huge discount.

10. Why Used OEM Beats Aftermarket on Big Parts

• Engineering: OEM units are overbuilt for heavy duty.

• Predictability: Hours on a used OEM part tell you something. With aftermarket, you’re guessing.

• Testing: Suppliers like Vikfin pressure-test and inspect.

• Availability: Often on the shelf; no six-week wait.

When the stakes are high, reliability matters more than the cheapest price tag.

11. The Cost & Downtime Equation

Example: A Caterpillar 320 final drive fails.

Option	Price (R)	Expected Life (hrs)	Lead Time
New OEM	350,000	10,000+	3–6 weeks
Aftermarket	160,000	2,000–5,000	1 week
Used OEM (Vikfin)	150,000	7,000–10,000	1–3 days

Lost production at R20,000/day for 3 weeks waiting for new OEM = R420,000.Installing a tested used OEM unit in 2 days = back earning money.

12. How to Buy These Parts Smartly

• Confirm it’s OEM — look for casting marks & serials.

• Ask for test sheets (pressure, flow, backlash).

• Inspect for leaks, cracks, or obvious damage.

• Check storage conditions — clean, covered, tagged.

• Get a guarantee in writing.

13. Case Studies — Real Contractors Saving Big

Case 1: Mpumalanga mining contractor replaced two travel motors with tested used OEM from Vikfin. Saved R500,000 and avoided 4 weeks of downtime.

Case 2: Western Cape contractor bought a used OEM hydraulic pump for a Komatsu PC210. Installed in 48 hours. Still running 3,000 hours later.

14. Environmental Bonus — Big Parts, Big Impact

Large components = huge environmental footprint when manufactured new. Reusing OEM assemblies slashes steel consumption and energy use. It’s not just good business — it’s good PR.

15. Build a Relationship With Your Supplier

The best way to snag high-value used OEM parts is to have a standing relationship with a specialist like Vikfin. You’ll:

• Get first call when a low-hour component arrives.

• Receive honest advice on whether to repair or replace.

• Reduce scramble time when a machine goes down.

16. The Bottom Line — Big Parts, Big Savings

When it comes to high-value components:

• New OEM = safe but overpriced.

• Aftermarket = cheap gamble.

• Used OEM = factory quality, tested, ready, affordable.

Stop thinking of used OEM as a risk. For big-ticket parts, it’s the smartest play in the game.

17. Conclusion — Make the Smart Move

Final drives. Pumps. Motors. Engines. These are not the parts to gamble on. Buy them used OEM, tested by a reputable supplier, and you’ll:

• Save 40–60% versus new.

• Avoid catastrophic failures from cheap copies.

• Slash downtime.

• Keep your cash flow and your reputation intact.

At Vikfin we specialise in exactly these high-value components. We source them, test them, and get them to you fast. So your machines keep moving and your projects keep earning.

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