The dangers of counterfeit hydraulic parts

The production and sale of counterfeit goods is a global issue, and the market spans everything from food and drink to clothes, accessories and electronics. The rise in counterfeiting in recent years is problematic for both economic and health reasons.

These concerns are heightened particularly when it comes to counterfeit hydraulic parts. Whilst fake watches and designer handbags may not pose any real threat to the consumer, hydraulic components most definitely could do.

The issue with counterfeit hydraulics is that they aren’t just knock-off lookalikes, they’re posing as genuine parts for potentially dangerous heavy-duty machinery. Sadly, fake hydraulic components have become so readily available that many businesses are unknowingly purchasing them, simply believing that they grabbed a bargain.

In this blog, we’ll discuss the dangers of counterfeit hydraulics, how to identify them and what you can do to avoid them.

Why you should avoid hydraulic counterfeit parts

Hydraulic systems are integral to the successful operations of businesses across many industries including construction, quarrying, marine & defence. For these businesses, downtime due to system breakdowns or failures can be incredibly detrimental.

Naturally, in the event of a breakdown or failure, businesses want the quickest and most cost-effective solution to get their operations up and running ASAP.

More often than not, purchasing counterfeit hydraulic components will only enter you into a vicious cycle. Made with cheap, substandard materials, these products are unlikely to last as long as expected, therefore resulting in further maintenance and repair costs. ‘Buy cheap, buy twice’ rings true here, as fake components are likely to cost you more in the long run.

Not only do counterfeit parts typically have a shorter lifespan than original components, but they also might not be safe. Fake parts can be fragile and won’t have been tested or have any safety measures in place.

When working with extreme pressures and temperatures hydraulic machines can be extremely dangerous, so adding substandard components to the mix can pose threats to machine operators and damage your hydraulic system.

In summary, counterfeit parts may be cheaper and easier to get hold of but if you value your equipment and the health and safety of your team, you should steer clear. It’s always worth paying more for genuine parts.

Identifying counterfeit hydraulic parts

Now we’re aware of the dangers that counterfeit hydraulics pose, how do we spot the real from the fakes? Granted, it’s not always easy.

The counterfeit market is sophisticated and hydraulic parts are assembled to look identical to the original components. They’re often engraved with identical markings and graphics, with everything right down to the packaging designed to look the same which can make it a challenge.

Hydraulic components such as cylinders and pumps are identified with serial numbers which you’ll find stamped on the part. If you’re suspicious about your component, you should be able to compare this serial number to that of the OEM to find out if it’s legit. Other parts such as hoses, seals and bearings don’t have serial numbers which makes this task even more challenging, and also makes them easier to counterfeit.

Alternatively, you may be able to identify if you already have a counterfeit part by keeping track of its lifespan and comparing that to your original components. If the replacement part appears to fail early, it’s likely that it’s fake. Of course, by this time it’s already too late. In this case, be cautious about repurchasing from the same seller in the future.

How to reduce the risk

Avoiding falling into the trap of purchasing counterfeit hydraulic parts really comes down to doing your due diligence and recognising instant red flags. If you see a component online at a bargain price, it’s probably too good to be true.

Understand the importance of health and safety, avoid purchasing from third-party websites and stick to trusted, certified suppliers. In most cases, you’ll be able to see a list of OEMs authorised resellers online.

Sticking to a company you can trust and sourcing your replacement parts only from them can go a long way.

Beyond that, it’s always recommended to implement a maintenance plan for all of your hydraulic equipment. Hydraulic maintenance is key to prolonging the lifespan of your equipment and preventing breakdowns.

Through this, equipment downtime can be scheduled in advance for repairs and maintenance which gives your engineers/suppliers more time to source replacement parts. This reduces the need for quick emergency purchases online which minimises the risk of obtaining a counterfeit component.

Derek Lane & Co is one of the UK’s leading manufacturers and suppliers of hydraulic components and equipment. We work with some of the world’s leading manufacturers such as Parker and Eaton, with all products designed to industry standards and undergoing stringent safety testing.

No matter where you’re based in the UK, our hydraulic equipment repair and maintenance services can cover all of your urgent needs. If you’re looking for a reputable, trustworthy hydraulic engineering partner, get in touch with us.