Consequences of Purchasing Counterfeit Hydraulic Parts: Risks & Solutions

Counterfeits of any kind are problematic, especially in the world of hydraulic parts. It’s hard to tell what’s authentic and what’s fake these days and your company could be buying and using without even realizing the forgery.

This is because counterfeit hydraulic components can be made to look so much like original parts.

Their packaging, use of graphics, and engraved marking can easily be duplicated and displayed without a second guess, that’s the power of modern technology.

Counterfeit parts for older machinery are most affected and sites such as Amazon and eBay are quite the hot spot for them. Shop owners on a quest for older hydraulic parts should think twice before buying online have a way to check if they are counterfeit if they choose to do so. If the part is significantly cheaper and has plenty of availability, this is a red flag.

Counterfeit hydraulic parts are usually cheaper and easier to get so why shouldn’t you buy them?

Counterfeit parts are a serious safety hazard for machinery. This is particularly important when working with hydraulics, as hydraulic fluid can be dangerous. With phony parts, it puts your equipment at risk of damage.

Below is some information on why you shouldn’t use counterfeit hydraulic parts and how to spot a fake so you can avoid buying them.

Why Are Counterfeits Detrimental?

Hydraulic machines are integral to running a successful business. They allow all tasks to be performed with the push of a button. However, phony parts are often sold as the real deal, meaning your machines could run for a shorter period of time than average and likely when you’re busy.

Fake hydraulic parts cause economic harm to legitimate manufacturers and pose dangers to users. Counterfeits look tempting, but they can be extremely fragile when compared with genuine parts. In most cases, these counterfeit parts don’t have any safety measures and can be a safety hazard.

While the counterfeit part can cost less than the part the manufacturer recommends, with its shorter lifespan and the potential of machine damage, it may end up costing you a lot more in the end.

How To Tell If a Part Is Real or Fake

Counterfeit parts are intentionally mismarked and misrepresented, so it’s almost impossible to tell the difference between an authentic and counterfeit part other than by keeping track of the life span of replacement parts. If one of the parts fails early, you’ll know it was most likely fake, and any other parts bought from the same source can the thrown away or given a closer look.

Hydraulic parts are identified with serial numbers, and you should be able to compare them to reputable OEM or aftermarket shops. Pumps and pistons are easier to identify than hoses and seals because hoses, seals and bearings don’t have them. Without a serial number, markings are easier to duplicate.

How You Can Avoid Hydraulic Counterfeit Parts

The best way to ensure that you’re only purchasing authentic parts is to avoid buying from third-party websites such as eBay or Amazon and stick to using a company you know and trust. However, remember that even distributors can buy counterfeits by mistake, but this is less common than if you’re getting them from non-reputable sources.

Another way to help ensure that you’re buying genuine parts is to only buy from companies that a primary or authorized distributors. When you purchase genuine hydraulic parts, they have gone through vigorous testing to make sure they are safe and will last much longer than the counterfeit ones.

Overall

Avoiding counterfeit parts comes down to doing your due diligence and using intelligent buying practices. If you notice that the price is much less high than others, it’s probably a fake, and you should pass on it. It’s better to spend a little more money on an authentic part now than to take the chance the fake one will break your machine or, worse harm someone.

If you have questions about hydraulic pumps, motors or components, Servo Kinetics in Ann Arbor can help. As experts in the industry our hydraulic repair services are second to none. Backed by 45+ plus years of experience and satisfied customers around the world, we deliver the highest quality industrial hydraulic repairs at the lowest possible cost with the fastest turn around. Call and speak to an experienced engineer about our services today!