Final Drive Center (FDC)was founded as an additional avenue for customers to source
replacement parts for their excavators, dozers, and other heavy machinery. Though calling them replacement parts isn’t exactly accurate, since what FDC does best is take
customer’s existing non-functional final drives or swing drives and repair them rather than purchasing something new. This option provides a lower cost option for customers, but how exactly does it work?
What is Repair and Return?
Return and repair is an option for some heavy machinery parts where a customer can ship their final drive or swing drive FDC’s facility in California and have FDC rebuild the
part rather than purchasing a new component.
FDC as a company is not only devoted to helping customers by repairing existing parts, but by innovating existing components to be more efficient and providing resources for customers. In an interview with ConEquip’s Jeff Mitri , FDC founder
and president Todd Resser explained that when Volvo introduced a new EC300 model, FDC saw an opportunity to stay ahead of the competition and re-engineer the parts to be more efficient.
“We feel we improved on the design and didn’t just copy it. We re-engineered it. It’s our own design,” Resser states proudly.
This commitment to continuous improvement is a driving force for FDC as they continue to provide service to customers. By purchasing samples and leveraging advanced engineering techniques, they are demonstrating their capability to innovation
on a continuous basis.
for free parts quote!
What’s the Process For Repair and Return?
After a representative gathers the customer’s basic information, such as name, location, and part specifics, the process begins with a quick quote from FDC. This quote is more a general idea of cost than a complete overview
of all the work that needs to be completed; that will come after FDC receives the part at their facility and they can evaluate it more thoroughly. In general, these first quotes will include the cost for replacement bearings and seals, and the labor to replace these components. Shipping cost is not included in this initial estimate. However, if the initial quote is approved, FDC handles the logistics of getting the customer’s part to their facility.
After the part arrives at the facility, it is put through a more thorough assessment by one of the FDC technicians to better understand the defect in the part. From there the technician puts together a series of quotes at varying levels of service,
ranging from a full refurbish and return to a scrap of the part. The customer can then select which option they’d like to go with, and the FDC repairs or ships back their part. The full-service options include replacement of bearings and seals,
replacement of additional parts and the labor to disassemble and reassemble the component. Once the work is complete, the part is thoroughly tested before it’s returned to the customer.
What are the Benefits of Repair over a new part?
The obvious benefit is price. It’s much less expensive to repair an existing part than to purchase a new one. Depending on which quote a customer selects, the cost saving can be anywhere between 20%-60% savings depending on market rates. FDC can offer this cost savings in part because of strong existing relationships with vendors which FDC can then pass onto the customer. Which means that when you have your part repaired, you’re getting OEM or new replacement components to repair your part.
And because each service is evaluated on an individual basis, it offers a cost-effective solution without sacrificing quality, which is at the core of FDC’s mission.
FDC also offers a one-year warranty on their repaired parts, which allows customers peace of mind in the quality of their repair. It isn’t likely that a repaired part is going to fail in the field, but on the slim chance it does, FDC can help.
In addition, repairing an existing part has a significant positive impact on the environment. By keeping components out of landfills, the service lowers overall carbon emissions and supports environmental initiatives.
FDC is devoted to helping their customers get back to work. In addition to the repaired parts, FDC does carry new parts in case your final drive can’t be repaired as part of their program. Whatever the situation, there are options to get you back to work.
