The Ultimate Guide to Choosing Digger Equipment Spares

7 things to consider when choosing spare digger equipment parts 

1. Consider compatibility and fit 

Compatibility is the first and most important factor to consider when choosing spare parts for your excavator or digger. If it won’t fit, it’s no good. 

With dozens of manufacturers, each with hundreds of models, finding the right spare part for your machine can be a challenge. You’ll need to check sizes and configurations to make sure the part you choose is compatible (but EPD Parts can help!) 

Not only will an incompatible part not fit correctly, it could be dangerous. 

You might need to refer back to your digger’s manual to figure out what spare parts you’ll need, or you could use a dedicated parts finder – like the one at EPD –  to pick your machine and find all the spare parts that fit. 

2. Match your excavator spares to intended use

As well as looking at the part specifications to make sure it’s compatible with your digger, you’ll also want to spend a bit of time looking at performance details. There might be several different spare part options for your machine, so you’ll want to make sure you choose the one that’s fit for purpose. 

Ask yourself why you need the part. For example, when we look at wear parts like bucket teeth consider; what is it for, what jobs will your excavator be doing? Do you need more power? More traction? Or do you want a longer lifespan or a part that can cope with heavier, tougher terrain? 

Pay attention to the size, weight, material, and performance ratings – and any other supplier notes on use or operating conditions. This will help you choose the right part for the task at hand. 

3. Opt for value over price

Next on your list of factors to consider when choosing spare digger parts will be cost. You’ll want to weigh up the prices of replacements and spares against your budget. 

But you should also factor in the price against value too. Think about the costs you’ll face if you don’t have the right parts, or if you choose a cheaper, lower quality option that doesn’t perform as well as expected or last as long. It’s not always paying less if you need to pay twice.

Price should always be competitive, of course, but look for value first and foremost. Quality and reliability are more valuable. Choose the parts that meet industry standards, are assured, and will last longer than cheaper alternatives. 

4. Always check availability and delivery speed

If you’ve shortlisted a couple of suppliers who have the spare digger parts you’re looking for, the next factor to consider is product availability. 

Are those spare parts in stock? Will they be dispatched immediately? Will you get them quickly enough to get your digger back on that urgent job? 

Lead times matter. Be careful looking at suppliers who promise they have parts in stock, but then ship from a warehouse in China. Those parts could take weeks to arrive. Instead, choose a supplier like EPD, with over 30,000 spare parts in stock for next day delivery. 

5. Look at a supplier’s reputation and reviews

A supplier’s reputation can be a huge factor in your decision making process too. You’ll want to buy from someone who has a track record of providing high quality, OEM-spec spare parts. Someone you can trust to get you what you need, when you need it. 

Ask around. Talk to others in your industry and find out where they source their spare parts. Then do your due diligence on a potential supplier. Check out their website, look at their payment and returns policy, and search for independent reviews. 

Any reputable supplier won’t hide any of these trust factors. They’ll most likely have reviews and testimonials front and centre on their website. 

6. Ask about warranties and other guarantees 

When you’re buying a replacement or spare part for your digger, especially one from a third party supplier rather than direct from a manufacturer, you’ll want to be certain of its quality. 

Whether it’s a starter motor or a final drive, rubber tracks or track chains, you’ll want to be sure it’s fit for purpose and up to the job. 

Warranties give you the peace of mind you’ll need here. Take the time to review all the product details of any spare digger part you want to buy and look at what warranties or other guarantees are included. 

At EPD, every spare part comes with at least a 12-month warranty. Some have even longer. And we guarantee fitment on every product too, so you can be sure it’ll be right for your digger. 

7. Think about what you’d do if you needed extra help

Finally, when you’re considering buying spare digger parts you should also think about what you’ll do if you need extra help, if for example, you’re struggling to find the right part for your make and model, or you’re not sure how to fit it. 

Look at what kind of technical support and expertise your supplier offers. Will they advise you on what parts your machine would benefit from? Will they help you find the perfect fit? Can they offer support if it’s not right, or if something goes wrong? 

EPD’s outstanding customer support team is always on hand to help with any queries or any problems. You can call us directly on 0330 058 1234, or chat to us online, whatever type of question you might have.