title: The Aftermarket Parts Battle

date: 2026-08-07

category: Aftermarket Parts

tags: [maintenance, parts selection, used equipment, right to repair, after-sales service]

2026 Parts Pricing Comparison: OEM vs Certified vs Third-Party

The Right-to-Repair Fight: Who Is Breaking Down the OEM Parts Barrier

In 2026, the construction equipment industry's aftermarket is undergoing an unprecedented transformation. The global parts and maintenance market is projected to surpass $1.2 trillion by 2035, and this enormous opportunity is attracting fierce competition from all sides.

John Deere is once again facing antitrust lawsuits over its restrictions on equipment repair rights. According to Equipment World reporting, Deere has attempted to lock users into its official service network through proprietary diagnostic software and encrypted parts locks. In May 2026, the court gave preliminary approval to the Deere repair-rights settlement, marking a landmark victory for the Right to Repair movement in the construction equipment sector.

At the heart of this dispute lies a core conflict: OEMs want to monopolize after-sales profits, while equipment owners demand the freedom to choose their own repair channels. According to Fleet Equipment Magazine, parts availability remains the top factor driving repair decisions. An official SANY SY75C excavator filter costs approximately ¥280 (~$39), while a compatible third-party part costs only about ¥90 (~$12). This price gap has spawned a massive parallel market.

Manufacturer Offensives: SANY and Komatsu's Parts Network Race

Facing the enormous aftermarket opportunity, leading manufacturers are accelerating the deployment of parts service networks.

Komatsu announced a new parts center in Arizona, a key step in upgrading its global parts supply chain. Construction & Demolition Recycling reports that the center will serve the U.S. Southwest market, significantly shortening parts delivery times. The target is to compress order-to-delivery time to within 48 hours.

SANY America unveiled an updated technology, parts, and service program at the 2026 ConExpo-Con/AGG show. According to Construction Equipment Guide, SANY introduced a tiered parts system — OEM parts, certified parts, and economy parts at three price levels — covering the maintenance needs of different customer segments. This strategy retains high-end customers while recapturing mid-range and entry-level market share from third-party suppliers.

Volvo CE is also advancing its Approved Used Equipment Program in the Asian market, entering the aftermarket through certified refurbishment and providing official-grade parts and repair support for used equipment.

AI Predictive Maintenance Workflow

AI + Maintenance: Caterpillar's Intelligent Repair Revolution

In January 2026, Caterpillar launched an AI assistant for equipment management, signaling the arrival of the intelligent maintenance era for construction equipment. The system collects real-time operating data from equipment sensors and uses machine-learning algorithms to predict component failure windows.

The problem with traditional maintenance is that it either leads to over-maintenance and waste, or neglect results in unexpected breakdowns. The core value of AI predictive maintenance is pinpointing the precise replacement window. Take hydraulic pumps as an example: traditional recommendations call for replacement every 5,000 hours, but actual wear varies enormously depending on operating conditions. An AI system can narrow the replacement window to ±200 hours based on oil analysis data, pressure fluctuations, and temperature curves.

For equipment operators, this means parts procurement shifts from reactive response to proactive planning. To learn more about SANY's intelligent maintenance solutions, feel free to contact our technical team.

Global Parts Supply Chain: Online Channels Are Filling the Gap

"2026 Equipment Downturn: How Online Parts Retailers Fill the Dealer Gap" — Morning Ag Clips reporting reveals an important trend: traditional dealer-channel parts supply is being supplemented by online platforms.

The North American heavy-duty fleet maintenance services market continues to grow. Market Data Forecast projects that by 2034 the market will reach significant scale. EquipmentWatch surveys indicate that dealers face high pricing and inflationary pressures, creating an opportunity window for third-party parts suppliers.

Hitachi Construction Machinery launched a construction equipment remanufacturing parts business in South Africa. Engineering News reports that remanufactured parts deliver equivalent performance at 60%-70% of OEM part prices, while reducing raw material consumption and carbon emissions. This "circular economy" model is particularly attractive in the African and Southeast Asian markets.

The Used Equipment Parts Ecosystem: A Trillion-Dollar Track You Can't Ignore

Parts demand in the used construction equipment market is forming its own independent ecosystem. Chinese brands such as SANY and XCMG continue to grow their global installed base, and demand for maintenance parts for their equipment is growing in tandem.

A SANY SY365H excavator entering its major overhaul phase after five years of service requires a parts list including: main pump assembly, swing motor seal kit, track shoe assembly, and a full set of hydraulic cylinder oil seals. Based on OEM parts pricing, the overhaul cost runs approximately 15%-20% of the machine's original price. By choosing certified or high-quality third-party parts, the cost can drop to 8%-12%.

Hitachi's remanufacturing operation in South Africa targets exactly this market. Through reclaiming old parts, disassembling and cleaning, replacing worn components, and re-testing and certifying, remanufactured parts can achieve over 90% of the performance of new OEM parts — at roughly half the price.

Recommendations for Equipment Operators

Three Principles for Parts Selection:

Use OEM parts for critical safety components: Parts involving safety — such as hydraulic systems, braking systems, and structural components — must use OEM parts or OEM-certified parts.

Certified parts are a smart choice for routine consumables: Filters, belts, oil seals, and other regularly replaced consumables can be sourced from certified third-party parts for the best value.

Compare three quotes for overhaul parts: For high-value components like main pumps and motors, it is recommended to obtain quotes from OEM, remanufactured, and high-quality third-party sources.

Maintenance Strategy Optimization:

  • Shift from "scheduled maintenance" to "condition-based maintenance," using equipment monitoring data to schedule maintenance precisely
  • Maintain a safety stock of parts, keeping 2-4 weeks of supply for critical components
  • Build long-term relationships with local dealers or authorized service providers to ensure rapid supply of emergency parts

For maintenance plans and parts quotes for specific equipment, feel free to contact the EquipNode sales team. We provide OEM parts and certified maintenance services covering the full SANY product range.

*Data Sources: Fleet Equipment Magazine, Equipment World, Construction Equipment Guide, EquipmentWatch, Market Data Forecast, Engineering News, August 2026*