Shop Talk Blog

Your Bobcat is down, one final drive is toast, and now you've got three quotes in front of you: OEM from the dealer, a new motor from a parts supplier, and a remanufactured one for a lot less. They can't all be the same, so what are you actually paying for?

Every one of those three options can get your machine back to work. But they're not interchangeable when it comes to lead time, cost, and what's actually backing you up if something goes wrong. Here's what's really different, and how to pick the right one without overpaying or getting burned.

Here are a few other Shop Talk Blog posts you might find of interest:

• Finding the Right Final Drive for Your Skid Steer or Compact Track Loader
• Bobcat Final Drives: Leaking Seals and Crossrobbing
• Bobcat Final Drive Basics

What "OEM" Actually Means (and What It Costs You)

OEM means the part came from Bobcat's own supply chain, carrying the Bobcat part number and built to the exact factory spec for your machine. There's no guessing on fitment, and for a machine still under factory warranty, it's often the only option that keeps that warranty intact.

Here's the catch: final drive motors aren't a part your dealer keeps ten of on a shelf. They're a special-order item on most models, and you can be looking at days to weeks of downtime waiting on a backorder. You're also paying full dealer markup, which is typically the highest of the three options by a wide margin.

OEM makes the most sense when:

• The machine is still under Bobcat's factory warranty and you need to preserve it
• You're required to use OEM parts for a fleet compliance or resale reason
• Lead time isn't your biggest constraint

Did you know you can invalidate the warranty of your final drive motor if you make the mistake of dry starting it after you’ve just installed it? Read on to learn what a dry start it, how it can damage your motor, and how to keep it from happening to you.

Here are a few additional posts you might be interested in ...

• 5 Ways to Void Your Final Drive Warranty
• How to Check and Change Your Gear Oil
• Tips for Installing a Final Drive

At Texas Final Drive, our new and reman/rebuilt final drives are covered by warranty. Our warranty, and warranties in general, are meant to cover defects in the company's products. That said, there are things that customers can do (or fail to do) that void the warranty. In this Shop Talk Blog post, we are going to discuss five ways to void your final drive warranty so that you can make sure they don't happen with you.