At Becker Pumps, every part matters. Every component of our industry-leading vacuum pumps is built to perform with precision and efficiency, and that doesn’t change when it comes to our original replacement parts.
Skimping on repair and replacement parts by choosing cheaper aftermarket components may seem like a bargain at the time. However, selecting inferior parts can affect your pump’s performance, lifespan, and long-term return on your initial investment.
Let’s examine how to choose the best vacuum pump replacement parts. We’ll specifically look at why Becker’s original parts are worth the extra expense, focusing on three common replacement components: vanes, oil, and maintenance kits.
THE BECKER ADVANTAGE: QUALITY THAT LASTS
Are all vacuum pump parts the same? Aftermarket parts can certainly look like original parts, but Becker’s quality runs more than skin deep.
BUILT TOUGH
Unlike cheaper aftermarket parts, original Becker parts are built to last, just like the original parts they replace. They’re built from higher-grade materials that resist wear and also reduce the strain on your pump’s motor and other components.
Take our high-quality vanes, for example. These workhorses are a critical moving part in every oil-less pump and need to be light, strong, and wear-resistant for long-lasting, consistent performance. Becker dry-pump vanes are precision-built from strong, lightweight carbon composites to be just that, delivering fewer breakdowns and longer stretches of trouble-free operation between replacements.
Aftermarket equivalents usually fall short. Lower quality material means they generally wear out faster, and put your pump’s other components at risk by introducing premature wear and tear into the performance.
That may mean not only having to replace your vanes sooner, but it can also put your pump at risk of costly damage. It’s like putting cheap tires on a high-performance car —you are just setting yourself up for trouble.
SMARTER DESIGN
Original Becker dry pump vanes (and other original replacement parts) aren’t just tough; they’re also designed better. For example, Becker oil-less pump vanes are built to wear more consistently, and, if a blade does fail, it’s designed to “crumble” to prevent damage to the pump’s major components.
There’s no guarantee of such “smart fail” technology for aftermarket parts. Cheaper materials and inferior design mean these cost-cutting vanes could end up costing you far more.
PRECISION ENGINEERED
Aftermarket manufacturers make money by providing “generic” parts that fit several models or equipment from different manufacturers. You won’t find that with Becker’s original parts. Each component is tailor-made and matched to your pump’s exact specifications.
Take Becker’s original replacement oil. Our specially formulated blends are designed to keep everything running smoothly, reducing friction and wear. This custom-built approach ensures peak performance and extends the life of your pump.
Generic aftermarket oil? It’s a gamble. While it might be ok over the short term, such one-size-fits-all formulas can also cause overheating, long-term inefficiencies, and even permanent damage to your equipment. Consider the cost of replacing oil versus the cost of unplanned stoppages and repairs, or even replacing a pump. You do the math.
TRIED AND TESTED
Better performance from original Becker parts is not an accident. Our parts (like the originals they match) have been rigorously tested repeatedly for their role and engineered to the finest tolerances for optimum performance.
By contrast, aftermarket parts are not tested to the same extent. That means lower engineering tolerances, a poorer fit with your original equipment, and unpredictability in their operation. If components fail unexpectedly, this can result in inconsistent performance, increased energy consumption, and higher overall costs.
SUPPORT AND EXPERTISE
Our attention to detail extends to the support and expertise you expect from Becker. Take our popular maintenance and repair kits, for example.
Experienced operators know to keep a maintenance and repair kit with essential maintenance items and replacement parts available in case of a breakdown. Sourcing your repair kit from an OEM such as Becker ensures you always have the right mix of tested, engineered, and trusted parts.
Procuring cut-price aftermarket maintenance and repair kits presents a triple risk. Not only are you unsure about the quality of the components you’re buying, but you are also not guaranteed to have the right mix of replacement parts and maintenance products on hand at maintenance time or in the event of a pump failure.
Unlike original Becker maintenance and repair kits, aftermarket kits are not supported by the manufacturer. With Becker parts, you have access to our helpful parts department and the expertise of our support personnel. With aftermarket parts, you’re very much on your own.
The following table compares the relative benefits of original and aftermarket parts.
| Becker Original vs. Aftermarket Parts | ||
|---|---|---|
| Criteria | Original Vacuum Pump Parts | Aftermarket Vacuum Pump Parts |
| Cost | Higher initial cost but better long-term value. | Lower upfront cost but higher replacement and repair costs. |
| Material Quality | Made from high-grade, durable materials. | Often uses lower-quality materials prone to wear and tear. |
| Design | Tailored for optimal pump performance and protection. | Generic designs that may not prioritize performance or longevity. |
| Precision Engineering | Built with tight tolerances to ensure reliable function. | Less precise, leading to potential operational issues. |
| Testing | Rigorously tested to meet manufacturer standards. | Minimal testing, often not aligned with pump specifications. |
| Compatibility and Integration | Designed specifically for the pump model. | May require adjustments or risk poor integration. |
| Support and Expertise | Backed by manufacturer support and expert guidance. | Limited or no support, often lacking technical expertise. |
| Return on Investment | Longer lifespan, fewer repairs, and lower downtime. | Short lifespan, frequent replacements, and higher downtime costs. |
PROTECTING YOUR INVESTMENT
At the end of the day, deciding between aftermarket vs. Becker Pumps replacement parts comes down to understanding the difference between cost and value. Your investment in Becker Equipment is a valuable one, with increasing returns over time. Here are four ways that opting to purchase cheap aftermarket parts compromises the returns on your investment.
EQUIPMENT LIFE
Properly maintained Becker vacuum pumps often achieve their full design lifespan, typically ranging from 10 to 15 years or more under normal operating conditions. Becker pumps can also be rebuilt to extend their lifespan at a fraction of the cost of a replacement unit.
Pumps using aftermarket parts may experience reduced lifespans, often cutting the operational period by 20-40% compared to pumps maintained with original parts. Common issues include accelerated wear, reduced efficiency, and higher failure rates due to mismatched specifications or inferior materials.
That shorter lifespan not only means equipment needs to be replaced sooner, but it also results in increased repairs and maintenance as the pump begins to fail prematurely, and reduced returns on your original investment.
MAINTENANCE AND DOWNTIME
Inferior parts are going to require more frequent maintenance and replacement. That maintenance, and possibly further unplanned downtime, as the result of a pump failure, are going to cost you more in terms of the operating costs of your equipment.
Increased operating costs eat into your returns on investment, but a failed or out-of-action pump may have serious knock-on effects on the rest of your operation, compounding downtime and lost productivity. In short, choosing cheaper aftermarket parts may end up costing you greatly.
VOIDED WARRANTIES
At Becker Pumps, we’re proud to back up our precision-engineered pumps with generous warranties on both our original equipment and our factory pump overhauls. That’s not a promise you’ll get from any aftermarket parts supplier.
Instead, because Becker cannot vouch for the performance of third-party parts, using aftermarket equipment on your Becker Pump will void your warranty, leaving you with valuable but unsupported equipment should anything go wrong.
UPFRONT COST VS. LONG TERM VALUE
When you choose Becker, you’re not just buying a pump. You’re investing in long-term value in the form of reliability, durability, and ongoing support. You’re putting trust in Becker’s proven ability to build and maintain equipment that delivers long-term returns on your initial investment.
Using cheaper, aftermarket parts compromises your ability to reap the return on your original investment. Seen this way, an impulsive decision to opt for aftermarket parts rather than sticking with original Becker equipment could end up costing you far more than you realize.
BECKER ORIGINAL PARTS: WHY CUT CORNERS ON QUALITY?
At Becker, we build equipment that lasts a long time, providing a comprehensive supply of parts that match the original quality of our machines. From vanes, rotors, and bearings, to the oils that lubricate our equipment, you can be sure that Becker’s original equipment beats any competitors on design, precision engineering, durability, and long-term value.
When it comes to replacement parts for your critical vacuum pumps, why take a chance? Choose quality and value. Be smart. Make it Becker.
Click below to learn more about our full range of original Becker replacement parts.
