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Stop Bleeding Cash: How Used OEM Excavator Parts Can Slash Your Operating Costs Without Killing Performance

  • Writer: RALPH COPE
    RALPH COPE
  • Oct 20
  • 6 min read
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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 supplier like Vikfin.


This isn’t about “going cheap.” It’s about being smart — getting the same reliability and fit as brand-new components at a fraction of the cost.


Here’s exactly how switching to used OEM parts can slash your operating costs while keeping your machines running like new.


1. The Hidden Cost of “Cheap” Aftermarket Parts

Let’s start with a hard truth: cheap parts are rarely cheap in the long run.That “bargain” hydraulic pump or control valve you found online might save you a few thousand today — but when it fails prematurely and takes other components down with it, you’ll pay twice.


Here’s why:

  • Poor tolerances mean misfits and leaks.

  • Inferior materials wear faster under pressure.

  • Lack of OEM testing results in unpredictable performance.


Each failure doesn’t just cost you the part. It costs:

  • Labour hours for installation and rework.

  • Machine downtime and lost productivity.

  • Potential damage to connected systems.

Over time, those “cheap” parts quietly bleed your business dry.


Case in Point:

A contractor using non-OEM swing motors on a Doosan DX300 saved R25,000 upfront — but had two units fail within six months, each taking out hoses and seals. Total loss? Over R150,000 including downtime.


With used OEM swing motors from Vikfin, he could’ve spent less overall and had the reliability of factory-tested quality.


2. Used OEM Parts: The Smart Middle Ground

So if aftermarket is risky and new OEM is pricey, what’s the solution?Used OEM parts.

These components were built by the original manufacturer — Volvo, Doosan, Hyundai, Komatsu, or Caterpillar — to exact factory standards. And when they’re sourced from a professional dismantler like Vikfin, they’ve been:

  • Cleaned and inspected for wear.

  • Bench-tested for pressure, flow, and performance.

  • Verified for serial number and model compatibility.

That means you’re getting genuine OEM quality without the factory markup.

Think of it like buying a certified pre-owned luxury car instead of a new one. It’s the same engineering, the same performance — just smarter economics.


Typical Cost Savings:

Component

New OEM Price

Used OEM Price

You Save

Final Drive (Volvo EC290)

R180,000

R75,000

R105,000

Hydraulic Pump (Hyundai R300)

R120,000

R55,000

R65,000

Swing Motor (Doosan DX225)

R95,000

R45,000

R50,000

Engine (Volvo D6E)

R450,000

R180,000

R270,000

That’s massive savings — without cutting corners on quality.


3. Extend the Life of Older Machines

As excavators age, maintenance costs rise — but that doesn’t mean they’re ready for retirement. With a solid supply of used OEM parts, you can keep older machines in top working condition for years without draining your budget.


OEM components are designed for longevity. A well-maintained final drive or pump can easily last another 5,000–10,000 hours when properly serviced and fitted.


At Vikfin, components are stripped from low-hour or accident-damaged machines, then inspected and tested before resale. That means you’re often getting parts that still have a long, profitable life ahead.


Example:

A contractor in Gauteng kept a 12-year-old Volvo EC210 running profitably by sourcing all its replacement components — from swing motors to boom cylinders — from Vikfin.Total maintenance savings over three years? Over R700,000, with zero catastrophic failures.

That’s the difference between scrapping an asset and squeezing every cent of value out of it.


4. Reduce Downtime and Boost Productivity

Every hour your excavator is down is money lost — not just in repairs, but in missed contracts and idle crews.


When you rely on used OEM parts from a local supplier like Vikfin, you dramatically reduce downtime:

  • Immediate availability from local stock (no shipping delays).

  • Exact fit means faster installation.

  • Proven reliability means fewer reworks.


Compare that to waiting weeks for new OEM parts from overseas — or worse, spending extra days troubleshooting an aftermarket component that won’t fit right.

Vikfin’s catalogue is organized by OEM part number, ensuring you get exactly what your machine needs, fast.


Quick Example:

A mining contractor in Mpumalanga had a Doosan DX340 down with a failed travel motor.

  • New OEM: 4-week lead time from Korea.

  • Aftermarket: in stock, but wrong mounting pattern.

  • Used OEM from Vikfin: available next day.

Result? Machine back on site within 48 hours — saving thousands in lost production.


5. Better Long-Term ROI on Your Fleet

Profit isn’t just about cutting costs — it’s about making smarter investments.

When you use tested OEM parts, even if they’re used, you’re preserving the integrity and resale value of your machine. A buyer can see OEM serial numbers and verify component authenticity — that’s something you can’t do with random aftermarket units.


That means when it’s time to sell or trade in, your machine’s value stays higher.


Consider This:

Two identical Hyundai R220LC-9s, same age and hours.

  • Machine A: repaired with non-OEM parts.

  • Machine B: maintained using genuine used OEM parts.

Machine B fetches 10–15% higher resale value, because buyers trust OEM lineage.

So while you’re saving money on repairs, you’re also protecting your long-term asset value.


6. Environmentally Smart = Financially Smart

Every time you buy a used OEM part, you’re not just saving money — you’re cutting waste.

Reusing quality components reduces the need for new manufacturing, shipping, and raw material extraction. That translates into a smaller carbon footprint and lower environmental costs for your operation.


More and more construction firms are now prioritizing sustainability in their procurement policies — and used OEM parts are an easy way to tick that box.

It’s good for your balance sheet and your ESG score.


7. Predictable Maintenance Costs

Running a fleet is all about control — control over downtime, over budgets, and over surprises.


With a reliable source of tested used OEM parts, you can build a predictable maintenance plan with known costs.

Because parts availability is steady and prices are stable, you can:

  • Forecast repair budgets accurately.

  • Reduce emergency import orders.

  • Plan preventative maintenance around parts stock.


Vikfin maintains a deep inventory of components for high-demand brands like Volvo, Doosan, and Hyundai, so you’re never scrambling for replacements.

That level of predictability gives you something invaluable in business: peace of mind.


8. Local Expertise Saves You Money

Sometimes the part itself isn’t the problem — it’s knowing which one to use.

Ordering from overseas or from non-specialist dealers often leads to compatibility errors. Wrong serials, wrong fitment, wasted shipping fees — it all adds up.

Vikfin’s team has years of hands-on experience dismantling, testing, and fitting excavator components in South African working conditions.That means they know exactly which version of a Volvo D6D fits your EC210, or which final drive bolts straight onto a Doosan DX300.

That expertise saves you time, money, and frustration — and ensures the part you get is the right one the first time.


9. Real Savings You Can Measure

Let’s quantify this.

If your fleet has 5 excavators, each requiring an average of R400,000 in annual maintenance using new OEM parts, that’s R2 million a year.


Switching to used OEM components could easily save 40–60% — that’s R800,000 to R1.2 million in your pocket every year.


That’s enough to:

  • Fund another machine.

  • Hire more crew.

  • Or simply improve your bottom line.


And since OEM quality means fewer breakdowns, those savings don’t come with hidden costs.


10. Partnering with Vikfin: The Smarter Choice

At Vikfin, we don’t just sell parts — we help you protect your investment.

Our process ensures every component meets strict OEM standards:

  1. Sourced from genuine OEM machines.

  2. Cleaned, inspected, and tested.

  3. Catalogued by serial number and part code.

  4. Ready to ship, fast.


Whether you need a final drive, a swing motor, a control valve, or a full engine assembly, we’ve got it.


Our team’s technical expertise means we can help identify the correct part for your exact model, saving you the headaches of trial and error.

Used OEM parts aren’t second-best — they’re the best value.


Final Thoughts: Smarter Maintenance, Bigger Profits

Cutting costs shouldn’t mean cutting corners. With used OEM excavator parts from Vikfin, you get:

  • Genuine OEM performance.

  • Massive cost savings.

  • Reduced downtime.

  • Extended machine life.

  • Predictable maintenance budgets.


It’s the ultimate win-win: factory quality without factory prices.

If your goal is to run a leaner, more profitable operation, start where it matters most — your parts supply chain.Choose smarter. Choose tested. Choose Vikfin.


 
 
 

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