Best Places to Buy John Deere Cotton Picker Replacement Parts

John Deere is one of the most reputable and trusted farm equipment manufacturers in the world. With new lines and product upgrades launched each year helping to make the farmer’s life more productive and easier, John Deere is the most popular option in the agricultural community. However, even the best-made machinery will break down occasionally due to regular wear and tear or from the environmental stresses the equipment faces on the farm.

What are Your Options for Buying Cotton Picking Unit Parts?

When the purchase of replacement parts is required, they must ship quickly since the harvest does not wait until the equipment is fixed. This idle time costs the farmers money so prompt shipping of high-quality parts is necessary so the plants can be harvested during the ideal time frame. There are three options for purchasing replacement parts including:

Directly from Manufacturer

When you first visit John Deere’s online store you will notice the vast amount of farming and other types of equipment. While it is easy to become intimidated by the size of the operation, the website is easy to navigate so you may find the required parts. This can be achieved by entering the component’s ID number, the equipment’s model number, or inputting a catalog number.

Purchase OEM from Dealer

Purchasing Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) parts from the dealer is another excellent option as they have replacement parts available in-stock. Since most dealers focus on specific equipment, the vast number of components available for purchase will likely be smaller so it is often easier to find exactly what you need. Many dealers have been in business for decades, so they know the equipment, parts, company, and needs of the farmer better than most.

Buy Aftermarket Fabricated Parts

Aftermarket fabricated parts are third-party parts that have been created to be the same as the equipment manufacturer’s components. The dimensions and materials are the same, they just do not have the John Deere name on them which brings a variety of pros and cons.

Pros & Cons of Buying Parts Directly from Manufacturer

Pros:

Know that it will work with your machinery

One of the greatest advantages of buying replacement parts directly from John Deere is they are guaranteed to work with the equipment. This means that there will not be any compatibility issues, dimensional, and fit problems, and you know the quality you are receiving based on the manufacturer’s quality and reputation. Also, these parts will have excellent longevity, so you are not running to the store to purchase the same part every year.

Warranty

If there is an issue with the longevity, manufacturer components are always guaranteed under some type of warranty, with the range varying based on the part. John Deere’s warranties range in the number of months or number of hours used, whichever comes first.

Cons:

Expensive

Of course, this quality, longevity, and warranty come with a cost. Manufacturer’s components tend to have a much higher price tag than aftermarket. According to the Property Casualty Insurers Association of America (PCI), OEM parts cost around 60 percent more than aftermarket components. PCI also noted that the price gap is beginning to balance since manufacturers are working to better compete with independent businesses.

Delivery Time

While your harvest window does open further when waiting for replacement cotton picker parts, the delivery time of OEM components can be rather long. Factors include where you are located, the number of this specific part they have in stock, where the warehouse is located, and the method of shipping.

Pros & Cons of Buying OEM Parts from Dealers

Pros:

Working with your Machinery

Since you are still purchasing OEM parts, only from a dealer, you will know that the components are compatible with the equipment. They are the same parts you would purchase from the manufacturer only at the dealer location.

Sometimes in warranty

The OEM parts are often still under warranty, even though they are sold by an independent dealer. Any reputable company, like John Deere, stands behind their products no matter which channel is used for purchase.

Cheaper than directly from the manufacturer

Many major dealers purchase the most common replacement parts in bulk and do not have as high of a markup, so they pass the savings on to you. The cost commonly falls between OEM (the most expensive) and aftermarket (the least expensive). However, as mentioned, manufacturers are working to close that gap to better compete with the independent dealers

Cons:

Still quite expensive

With prices still more expensive than aftermarket parts, OEM components purchased through dealers may not fit in your budget.

Limited stock quantities

If the manufacturer is out of stock, then the dealers may only have limited components left. Restocking could be a long time so once they are out, it could be months before new OEM components arrive.

Extended delivery times

In many instances, delivery times could also be lengthy when purchasing from the dealer. While the manufacturer has a long delivery time, dealers must order the parts through their systems to link with the manufacturer and then ship. This supply chain can take longer than usual due to the extra steps in the process instead of ordering directly.

Pros & Cons of Buying Aftermarket Fabricated Parts

Pro:

Works with your machinery

Typically, aftermarket fabricated parts are as compatible with your equipment as OEM. Also, the quality can be greater than or equal to OEM. Aftermarket companies reverse-engineer the component and roll out all the kinks before manufacturing. These parts are designed to find a nice balance between durability, cost, and performance.

Considerably cheaper than other options

Since these do not carry the manufacturer’s name, aftermarket components are often considerably less expensive. As noted, manufacturers are trying to bridge that gap to be more competitive. The amount you save varies based on the brand. Be warned, if the price is too good to be true then you should ask questions to ensure the quality is up to par.

Quick delivery times

Since aftermarket manufacturers do not have to compete with complicated supply chains, the delivery times are much faster than the other two options.

Con:

No Warranty 

The biggest and only drawback is there is no warranty. Part of the higher prices with OEM components is the associated warranty if there is an issue. Therefore, your aftermarket component cost is less because there is no or a limited warranty.

Remember, not all aftermarket parts are created equal but OEM parts which provide a set of pros and cons. However, aftermarket parts could also save you a bundle of money. For you to make the best decision for your needs, contact Certi-Pik today! Their experts can help you find the best John Deere replacement parts and Case IH cotton picker replacement parts for your equipment!