Eventually even the highest quality sewer cleaner parts can wear out, leaving the customer with the option of buying OEM parts or using a less-expensive aftermarket or will-fit alternatives that could prove more costly in the long term.

There’s truth to the old saying “you get what you pay for.” It’s important to understand why OEM parts often cost more than aftermarket alternatives. With today’s technology, it’s easier to reproduce a part that might look like an exact copy of the original part. But it’s not so easy to keep up with all the engineering changes and upgrades that equipment parts undergo on a regular basis.

A cheaply produced knock-off part is not the same as the most current version of an OEM part that not only has been designed to ensure the equipment performs as intended, but that also is identical to — and may even be an enhanced version of — the part being replaced in terms of machine specifications, dimensions, tolerances and capabilities.

Typically manufactured by a third-party, aftermarket parts are intended to serve a similar function as the replacement part, but due to the nature of aftermarket parts, it can be difficult to ensure the same quality, reliability and performance as the original part.

Longevity

Investing in OEM parts means investing in quality parts that will last a long time. You may actually use more aftermarket replacement parts in the span of your equipment’s life, costing you more in the long run than using OEM parts. Worst of all, the failure of an aftermarket part often damages other expensive components.

Minimized downtime

OEM parts reduce the likelihood that the sewer cleaner will experience breakdowns or failures on the job, which result in costly repairs and labor, and increased downtime. This is especially important for a customer working on a time-sensitive project.

Warranty issues

For most customers, the equipment warranty is as important as the quality of the OEM parts. In some cases, the use of non-OEM parts can void the manufacturer’s warranty on the sewer cleaner. A non-OEM part that is found to have caused equipment damage could also make the repair non-warranted.

Most OEM parts include at least a six-month warranty (which may vary depending on the manufacturer and the product). In most cases, the manufacturer will replace a faulty or defective OEM part.

Parts availability

No one carries a larger inventory of readily available OEM parts than the manufacturer and their dealers. As an example, FS Depot — the OEM parts distributor for Vactor Manufacturing — manages more than 20,000 SKUs of Vactor parts alone. The 100,000-square-foot FS Depot warehouse supports Vactor dealers’ access to Vactor OEM parts for customers worldwide.

Vactor and other OEM manufacturers also provide specific parts catalogs, including online catalogs, for each truck model sold to ensure that customers can order correct parts.

Technical support

The manufacturer’s parts field staff are trained to help customers inspect their machines, identify needed parts, and help solve problems customers may be experiencing with their equipment.

Customers purchasing OEM parts also have access to the manufacturer’s dealer network for technical support and expertise — not something offered by aftermarket parts. In most cases, dealers selling OEM parts will provide troubleshooting support over the phone or in person when a customer requires technical expertise.

When it comes to saving money, maintaining operational efficiency, and completing projects on time and on budget, OEM parts are the way to go.