Genuine vs OEM Crane Parts: What is The Difference

When it comes to selecting the right part for replacement will be important if you are taking into account the safety aspect and performance as well as the longevity of cranes. When it comes to searching for parts for a crane like Manitowoc and Terex crane parts, there are two types of sources: OEM or Original Equipment Manufacturer parts and genuine parts. Both have their pros and cons; therefore, it is worthy of a comparison: similarities and differences between them.

Close up view of cabin of a crane

We’re going to discuss here the difference between genuine and OEM crane parts so you’ll know which one to opt for your needs.

What are Genuine Crane Parts?

Genuine parts or original parts are made from the original manufacturer of a crane. In short, these are products designed and fabricated by the same company that made your crane. Thus, these parts are best suited for your equipment, ensuring a good compatibility between the parts and your crane.

Key Features of Genuine Parts

  • Manufactured by the Crane Maker: These are manufactured by the Crane Maker. Genuine parts are made by the manufacturer of the equipment; thus, they offer the precise specifications needed for your equipment.
  • High Quality and Precision: Since these are produced to the precise specifications, the performance of the parts that will be offered is optimal and long-lived.
  • Normally warrantied by the manufacturer: These are commonly covered by the original manufacturer’s warranty for a longer period. 
  • Higher Price: These parts come directly from the factory, making them more expensive than other sources.

Original parts are the best if you do not want to risk a lower-performing crane because of inferior or incompatible parts.

What Are OEM Crane Parts?

Control panel of a crane

OEM parts are manufactured by the same company that produces parts for the crane manufacturer, but they sell under a different brand. However, OEM parts are constructed to the original specifications, so it goes just as well as the proper part does.

Important Features of OEM Parts

  • Same Company, Other Brand: OEM parts are manufactured by a company that makes part for the crane manufacturing company but are sold under a different brand.
  • Equivalent quality to OEM parts: OEM parts are in accordance with the standards of genuine parts because they have used the same blueprints and specifications as original parts.
  • Less Cost: OEM parts tend to be less costly than the original products because OEM parts are not marketed by the crane manufacturing company.
  • Warranty May Differ: OEM parts are generally warrantied, but it will not be as long or substantial as compared to the warranty for the original parts.

OEM parts provide an affordable option without trading off on the quality as OEM parts are quite in demand among companies that wish to control budgets and at the same time ensure dependable functionality.

Genuine vs. OEM Crane Parts

While what brands and prices make genuine and OEM parts different, they share some similarities that classify them as trusted alternatives for crane maintenance:

1. Manufacturing Standards

Both genuine and OEM parts are made to similar technical specifications and quality requirements. Your crane is getting either a genuine hydraulic pump or an OEM brake pad that would fit your crane just perfectly and perform well.

2. Compatibility

Because the OEMs are also produced by companies involved in the original parts’ manufacturers, you can confidently expect them to fit perfectly on your crane model as well as give you complete absence of fitting or performance issues often associated with aftermarkets.

3. Longevity

Both original and OEM parts have the same strength. They are designed to expose the same kind of strength and environmental conditions that the original parts have inside your crane, which will make them as reliable as those.

4. Product Availability

Whichever you choose, the actual or OEM parts, can easily be sourced from the most prestigious crane parts supplier, such as HL Equipment. HL Equipment holds a large stock of both actual and OEM crane parts so that whatever be your requirement, you can source it quickly.

Key Differences Between Genuine and OEM Parts

A mobile crane used at a construction site

Although they appear suspiciously similar in many ways, there do exist some plain differences between the original and OEM parts you might want to bear in mind when making your decision:

1. Branding

  • Genuine parts: sold under the brand name of the crane manufacturer itself, for instance Terex, Manitowoc etc.
  • OEM parts: These fall under the brand name of the OEM, who is the original manufacturer but not carrying the crane brand name on the products.

2. Pricing

  • Genuine parts: These are costlier because of the branding and marketing of the crane manufacturer.
  • OEM parts: Much cheaper, offering good value for one’s money without the qualities of cutting costs around.

3. Warranty

  • Genuine parts: Will have a longer time of manufacturer warranty on the crane.
  • OEM parts: Warranties are typically shorter or even more depending on the distributor; yet, it can be convincing enough to make one feel safe.

4. Perceived Value

  • Genuine parts: Perceived as the “gold standard” because they are available by the manufacturer of the crane.
  • OEM parts: Reasonably priced but would have the same efficiency as the genuines themselves.

When to Use Genuine vs OEM Parts

The choice between the genuine and OEM parts depends on the specific needs and requirements of the organisation. Such considerations may include the following:

  • Budget Limitations: If the bottom line is a primary concern, then OEM parts are the most affordable option that can be purchased without sacrificing quality. HL Equipment stocks a high number of OEM parts to help you save more money while maintaining performance.
  • Warranty and Reliability: If the assurance of a long warranty and the fact that it has the support of the crane manufacturer are important, then authentic parts may be the way forward. Even though OEM parts have equal reliability, some companies like the guarantee of a longer warranty from a genuine part.
  • Urgency: Both genuine and OEM will be available for parts; however, OEM would get sourced easily over original if the latter is on backorder with the supplier.

Conclusion

Both original and OEM Terex and Manitowoc crane parts assist in providing reliable solutions to maintain the performance of the crane. Regarding that aspect, advantages from the original parts entail the branding of the manufacturer of the crane besides its warranty, while an OEM part delivers equal quality at a lower cost. 

Whether you decide between true original or OEM parts, its source is from a company that is known to offer the best of coming from a reliable seller like HL Equipment; you will get just great, compatible Manitowoc and Terex crane parts. It is with knowing the differences and similarities that one can make decisions about a crane, as well as which budget he or she must tackle first.