With proper maintenance and care. Some people can keep their machinery and equipment going far longer than they might have expected. This is great in terms of sustainability and something that should be championed. However, unfortunately, it can also lead to unforeseen problems. Namely, it can become much harder to find the specific parts you need. As replacements for older machines may no longer be being made by the original providers.
So what can you do if your equipment is in good condition, but missing a replacement part? In this post, we will outline how to locate final drive motors that are hard to find.
4 Solutions for hard to find final drives
If something is hard to find, then it’s important to have a few tricks up your sleeve. So if you are struggling to find yourself a final drive motor, we’ve got 4 top tips to help you find what you’re looking for.
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1. Second-hand replacements
If new replacements are hard to find, then don’t give up hope. You may well be able to find a second-hand replacement. Most people think of eBay as an eCommerce site for small trinkets. But it is actually a great place to look for used replacements for machinery large and small. You may also be able to benefit by looking at recommendations on relevant forums.
For example, the SkidSteer forum is used by owners and enthusiasts of things like compact track loaders, excavators, and such, to share relevant information and advice. Heavy Equipment Forums and Tractor By Net offer much the same. And of course, as with any forum, you can ask specific questions and be bombarded with (at least some) helpful suggestions in return.
However, it is important to keep in mind that a used final drive motor will come with its own risks. So don’t just spot the motor model and go for it. Be sure to check it out to see if it is in better nick than your own motor that is in need of replacement.
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2. Harvest Old Machines
If you don’t have any luck searching for the right part. You may have better luck searching for old machines to gut for their parts. Often the complete machine can be bought for next to nothing. Or at least for far less than can be made from selling the component parts within it. Simply because people may need to get rid of a machine that is no longer functioning or of use to them.
So if you have searched eBay. And trawled through relevant forums. And have still come out empty-handed. Then taking a look at broken machine sales is definitely a useful string to have to your bow. Obviously, if you are looking for a final drive motor, you need to ensure to check that this has not already been sold from the broken machine before you pick it up!
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3. Retrofit a newer part
If options 1 and 2 have led you down a dark alley bearing no fruit for your labor. Then it’s worth looking into whether you may be able to fit a similar part from a newer model in your machine. Obviously, you will need to check the part is suitable in terms of horsepower and capacity. And you’ll need to know someone who knows about mechanics. But this can be a fairly cheap, effective, and reliable way to overcome the issue of a hard-to-find component, such as a final drive motor.
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4. Have the part you need manufactured
If all the above have failed. Or you don’t fancy risking retrofitting a similar, but newer, part. Then you still don’t need to despair. In some instances, you may be able to have the part you need manufactured specifically for you. Indeed, this option may even be preferable to retrofitting a component that could lead to unforeseen consequences.
Having your final drive motor, or any component you might need, manufactured can be an expensive option. But if you choose this option, then you can be sure that the part you get will be as good as new. The manufacturer may even be able to repurpose some of your old materials from the final drive to bring costs down and improve on sustainability.
Summary
WIth older machinery, you always have to make a choice. If it seems like struggling to find a suitable part is more hassle than it’s worth. Then there’s a good chance you should cut your losses and move on with a new bit of kit. But if you know you’ve looked after your machine well. And but for a small replacement part, it would continue to do you proud for years to come. Then it can be well worth your time trying to find a replacement.
Fortunately, with these 4 tips, locating hard-to-find parts like final drive motors for old vehicles can be made simpler. And if you don’t find the part you need in one place. Then one of the other tips might help you finally strike gold.
