When your machine has stopped running (or literally stopped in its tracks), you need a final drive motor right away. Since final drive motors are large purchases, however, you need to do a bit of research first. That's likely how you ended up reading our post. Here are five questions you need to ask before you commit to buying a replacement hydraulic final drive -- from the experts!

Ask About the Brand

Sometimes final drives are cheap because, well, they are cheap. Not all aftermarket final drive brands are created equal. Some final drives are not built to the levels of quality that customers expect. Reputable final drive dealers will only stock quality brands, but the internet has sellers that run the gamut. If the brand on the final drive you want to purchase isn’t indicated, ask about it. If you don’t recognize the brand, do some research on it before you commit to the purchase.

Ask About the Warranty

Make sure your final drive comes with a good, reliable warranty. Most new final drives come in with a one to two year warranty, and some remanufactured final drives come with a one year warranty. Remember that if a warranty sounds too good to be true, it probably is. A warranty should be straightforward and easy to understand. If you have to build a spreadsheet to figure it out, you might want to steer clear of it. If you have any questions or concerns about the warranty, be sure to ask.

Ask If It Is In Stock

Before you commit to purchasing a final drive, make sure that the seller has the right one in stock. If they don’t, it can mean some major delays for you. You're already experiencing downtime; you can't afford to wait longer if you can prevent it. Never commit to buying a final drive until you are certain they have the quantity you need in stock and ready to ship right away.

Sometimes, however, a specific make and model of final drive is rare. In those cases, see if you can purchase it on backorder -- or else, you might have to wait half a year or longer before the final drive you need is in stock anywhere!

Ask About Shipping

You should also ask about the company's shipping policies prior to purchasing a final drive. Shipping costs are important because they can be pretty hefty depending on the weight of your drive, and they only show up at the end of the purchase process. Some companies will also offer free shipping on certain drives -- it never hurts to ask!

You should also establish when the final drive motor you need will be shipped. Most companies, if they have the drive in stock, can ship it the same day as long as the order is placed before 12 p.m., but this will vary with the seller.

Next, find out when you should receive the final drive. If you need it sooner, there may be some alternate options. For example, if you live near the dealer, you may be able to pick it up yourself rather than having it delivered. Potential shipping costs and times will depend heavily (pun intended) on the size and weight of the final drive. Some companies will offer deals such as free shipping on certain types of drives.

Verify That It Will Fit

Don't forget to make sure that motor you are going to purchase will fit your machine. This is called getting the correct "fitment". For example, it can be tricky getting the right motor for a Bobcat T-series machine, because you have to know how many sprocket bolts the final drive motor requires, how many hydraulic ports there are, or even the distance between the flanges. If you don't have this information, the company won't know which version of final drive you need, and sometimes they'll sell you one anyway! It's bad practice, but it happens. There is nothing more frustrating than finally getting your replacement final drive only to realize it won't fit your machine.

Conclusion

When replacing the final drive motors on your machine, remember to ask about:

• Brand,
• Warranty,
• Stock status,
• Shipping, and
• Fitment confirmation

Attention to these kinds of details will save you many headaches down the road!

Texas Final Drive is your partner in providing new or remanufactured final drive hydraulic motors from a single mini-excavator to a fleet of heavy equipment. Call today so we can find the right final drive or hydraulic component for you, or check out our online store to find your O.E.M. manufacturer brand motor now.