You are right in the middle of a time-critical project when your compact track loader refuses to move an inch — your final drive has gone out and you need one ASAP. What can you expect when you go online to find a replacement?

Major Considerations

When you are looking online for a replacement final drive, there are several considerations beyond just the price. You need to be aware of your options, as well as how to track down prices, what to consider when it comes to shipping, and what types of warranties you can expect to see.

Options for Final Drives

You have a few options: you can purchase a new one directly from the dealer, you can purchase a new one through the manufacturer’s web page, or you can purchase one through a final drive distributor. Let’s go ahead and deal with this up front: the first two options are going to be your most expensive ones. If you are looking to get the most for your money, you will likely want to consider a distributor.

With a distributor, you have a few additional options: purchase a new final drive, purchase a certified reman ( remanufactured) final drive, purchase a rebuilt final drive, or, in some cases, send in your final drive for repair, rebuild, or reman.

If time isn’t a major constraint for you, then you might want to send in your final drive for repair. If you can’t find information about turnaround time on their web page, a quick call to their sales staff can probably give you the facts you need to make a decision.

In the long run, reman final drives are usually your best investment. Reman final drives are going to have higher quality than rebuilt final drives because they have been restored to meet or exceed the original factory specifications. In fact, its quite common for reman final drives to be of better quality than new ones.

Quotes and Prices

Most of the companies that sell final drives online will have their prices posted. That lets you determine in an instant if that they have actually fits your budget. Not all companies will do that, however. If they don’t have a price listed, you will either need to fill out a request for quote or give them a call. It should never be difficult to find out what the price is going to be, and they should be willing to work with you to make sure that they are selling you the correct drive for your machine.

Warranties

Just about all companies that deal in final drives and hydraulic motors will have some type of warranty in place. How long the warranty lasts usually depends on whether it’s a reman/rebuilt hydraulic motors or a new one. Not all final drives are going to come with a warranty, however, and available warranties vary quite a bit.

Warranties for new final drives vary from 90 days to 2 years, and terms differ from company to company. There are also some companies that offer lifetime warranties, but they come with pro-rating rules and very strict maintenance requirements. Reman/rebuilt final drives warranties differ from company to company. One example would be a one-year trouble free warranty on parts and labor, but not all companies will offer that.

If you don’t see warranty information listed on the website, be sure to give them a call to find out what they offer.

Shipping

Some companies offer free shipping on smaller final drives that don’t require freight shipping. Others offer a flat rate shipping charge, which can be a lifesaver if the final drive you need to order is heavy. Another option that some companies use is to vary the shipping charge based on destination and weight.

Turnaround Time

For most companies, if they have the final drive you need in stock and you get your order in before 3 p.m., they will ship your final drive out that same day. However, the catch here is whether they have the drive you need in stock. Companies that stock a large inventory of final drives are more likely to be able to ship your final drive out quickly. So, even if you found the ideal final drive that fits your machine and your budget, make sure they have it in stock before you commit.

Conclusion

Whether its your skid steer, compact track loader, or mini excavator that needs a final drive, you have quite a few options for how you can replace it. Whether you go new, reman, or rebuilt, don’t forget to check on the price, warranty, shipping cost, and whether or not the company you decide to go with has it in stock.