What are OEM parts and why should you choose them? This is a question many people ask themselves when they look for riding mower parts online. Who can you trust when one company stresses the importance of “OEM” but does not define the term, while another boasts about having the cheapest parts, but makes no mention of the term?
OEM stands for “Original Equipment Manufacturer.” At a glance, this can be confusing, especially if you need riding mower parts from one brand name and yet find the OEM parts come from another “manufacturer.” When you understand that often the company that manufactures a piece of equipment and/or its parts is not the company under whose brand the equipment is sold, the meaning becomes clear.
Take for example the well-known Briggs and Stratton company. This company manufactures engines that are used on a number of different brands of mowers. The company has a reputation for building quality engines and many people will only buy mowers than feature Briggs and Stratton engines, regardless of the brand of mower.
This is not to say that B and S is the only engine manufacturer that makes quality products. Many companies install their motors on some of their models but engines manufactured by another company on other models. Also, this company does not manufacture all of the parts for mowers, even on those that feature their engines.
It is always best to get OEM parts, because even everyday parts like belts and spark plugs vary slightly or significantly in quality and machining from manufacturer to manufacturer. By purchasing OEM, you know you are getting exactly the right riding mower parts for your piece of equipment. Does this mean that in order to find these parts, you have to do a lengthy search online in order to find out who that manufacturer is? Fortunately, it does not.
Go to the website of a large and well-established authorized dealer in ride-on mowers for your riding mower parts. They will have a clearly indicated “OEM Parts” tab, probably right there on their homepage. Simply click that tab and it will take you to a search facility.
When you go to this page, you will be able to narrow down your search. A drop down menu will give you a list of brands to choose from. Then another menu will list the various models and years of manufacture of their mowers. When you find yours, you will be directed to detailed views of the sections of the mower. Let’s say you are looking for an ignition system part for a Kohler mower, for instance. You will find an exploded diagram that clearly indicates every part, right down to the tiniest screw.
These authorized online dealers are the best place to not only find OEM parts but to purchase your mower. Very often, they will only sell riding mower parts to their existing customers. This is in an effort to keep costs down and OEM parts supplies always available to their customers. Purchasing parts and equipment from a company like this has many other advantages, as well. You will get speedy delivery at such a competitive price that you will never have to settle for generic parts for your mower.
Find lots of tips and advice on Riding Mower Parts on our blogs. Parts diagrams for riding and Push Mower Parts are available to view and search by at LawnEq’s website.
