Not sure who manufactured the original final drive, travel motor, swing motor or hydraulic pump fitted to your excavator? You're not alone.
Many excavator owners assume that because their machine is manufactured by Volvo, Hitachi, Caterpillar, Komatsu or JCB, the hydraulic components fitted to it must be manufactured by the same company.
However, this is often not the case.
Construction equipment manufacturers frequently use specialist hydraulic and transmission manufacturers to supply original components for their machines.
At Pro Construction Parts, we specialise in identifying and supplying OEM and aftermarket replacement parts for excavators and construction machinery.
In this guide, we'll explain how to identify the original manufacturer of your component, where to find the identification plate and how to recognise some of the most common OEM brands.
What Does OEM Mean?
OEM stands for Original Equipment Manufacturer.
In the construction machinery industry, an OEM component is a part manufactured by a company that supplies equipment for use in the original machine.
For example, a Hitachi excavator may use a hydraulic pump manufactured by Kawasaki, while another excavator may have a final drive manufactured by Nabtesco or KYB.
These specialist manufacturers produce components that are fitted to machines during production.
This means the original component may have two different identifying numbers:
-
Machine manufacturer's part number: The reference assigned by the excavator manufacturer.
-
Component manufacturer's model number: The reference used by the company that manufactured the hydraulic motor, pump or gearbox.
Understanding both numbers can make identifying the correct replacement significantly easier.
Step 1: Locate the Original Identification Plate
The quickest way to identify the OEM manufacturer is to locate the identification plate attached to the original component.
Depending on the manufacturer and component type, this may be a metal plate, adhesive label, engraved marking or stamped identification number.
The plate may contain:
-
Manufacturer's name or logo
-
Model number
-
Part number
-
Serial number
-
Manufacturing date
-
Technical specifications
For example, a hydraulic travel motor may have a model number beginning with MAG, GM or PHV, which can help identify the manufacturer.
Where Is the Identification Plate Located?
Final Drives and Travel Motors
Look around the hydraulic motor housing, rear cover and hydraulic connection block. Some units also have markings on the planetary gearbox housing.
Swing Motors
Check the motor housing, particularly around the hydraulic ports and upper section of the motor.
Hydraulic Pumps
Look on the main pump body, near the regulator assembly or on a flat machined surface of the housing.
Travel and Swing Gearboxes
Inspect the gearbox housing, mounting flange and any fitted identification plates.
Important: Identification plates are sometimes covered by dirt, grease or paint. Carefully clean the area without damaging the markings.
Step 2: Recognise Common OEM Manufacturers
Several specialist manufacturers supply hydraulic motors, final drives, gearboxes and pumps used in construction machinery.
Knowing the common manufacturer names and model prefixes can help narrow down the original component.
KYB (Kayaba)
KYB is a Japanese manufacturer of hydraulic equipment and components.
KYB travel motors and final drive assemblies are commonly identified by model numbers beginning with:
-
MAG
-
KMAG
-
MSG (commonly associated with certain swing motor applications)
Examples of travel motor model families include MAG-18, MAG-33, MAG-85 and MAG-170.
If your travel motor has a plate showing a MAG-series model number, it may be manufactured by KYB.
Nabtesco
Nabtesco is a Japanese manufacturer known for precision reduction gearboxes and hydraulic drive systems.
Common travel drive model families include:
-
GM04
-
GM09
-
GM18
-
GM21
-
GM35
-
GM38
You may also encounter older units carrying names associated with Nabtesco's predecessor companies, including Teijin Seiki and Nabco.
The full model number and suffix should always be recorded when identifying a replacement.
Nachi
Nachi-Fujikoshi manufactures hydraulic motors and components used in construction equipment, including smaller excavator applications.
One of its recognisable travel motor model families is:
-
PHV-1B
-
PHV-2B
-
PHV-3B
-
PHV-4B
-
PHV-5B
If your original motor has a PHV-series model number, Nachi is a likely manufacturer.
Bonfiglioli
Bonfiglioli is an Italian manufacturer specialising in power transmission systems, planetary gearboxes and drive solutions.
Its products include travel gearboxes and complete drive assemblies.
Bonfiglioli is also associated with historical brands and product lines such as Trasmital.
Some assemblies combine a Bonfiglioli gearbox with a hydraulic motor from another manufacturer.
For this reason, it's important to identify both the motor and gearbox when ordering individual replacement components.
Bosch Rexroth
Bosch Rexroth manufactures hydraulic motors, pumps and drive systems used across construction and industrial machinery.
Common hydraulic product families include:
-
A2FM
-
A6VM
-
A10VO
-
A11VO
These are family identifiers rather than complete part numbers.
For accurate identification, record the full model code, material number and serial number where available.
Kawasaki Precision Machinery
Kawasaki is particularly well known for hydraulic pumps used in excavators and other construction equipment.
Common Kawasaki pump families include:
-
K3V
-
K5V
-
K7V
Examples include K3V112, K3V140 and K5V140 pump families.
However, identifying the basic pump family alone is not sufficient to guarantee compatibility.
Regulator configurations, shaft arrangements, rotation and other specifications may differ between applications.
Other OEM Manufacturers
Other manufacturers you may encounter include:
-
Danfoss
-
Eaton
-
Doosan Mottrol
-
Brevini
-
Poclain Hydraulics
-
Linde Hydraulics
The exact manufacturer depends on the machine model, serial number, component type and original equipment specification.
Step 3: Use the Part Number to Identify the Manufacturer
Even when the manufacturer's logo is missing, the model number may provide a useful clue.
Below are some common examples.
| Model prefix | Possible manufacturer | Component type |
|---|---|---|
| MAG | KYB / Kayaba | Travel motor |
| KMAG | KYB / Kayaba | Travel drive |
| GM | Nabtesco | Travel drive |
| PHV | Nachi | Travel motor |
| K3V | Kawasaki | Hydraulic pump |
| K5V | Kawasaki | Hydraulic pump |
| A2FM | Bosch Rexroth | Hydraulic motor |
| A6VM | Bosch Rexroth | Hydraulic motor |
| A10VO | Bosch Rexroth | Hydraulic pump |
| A11VO | Bosch Rexroth | Hydraulic pump |
Please note: These prefixes are general identification clues, not definitive proof of manufacturer or compatibility. Always verify the complete model number and application.
Step 4: Understand the Difference Between the Excavator Brand and OEM Brand
A common source of confusion is the difference between the excavator manufacturer and the manufacturer of the component fitted to the machine.
For example:
An excavator may carry a Volvo identification plate and have a Volvo part number assigned to its hydraulic pump.
However, the pump itself may have been manufactured by a specialist hydraulic supplier.
The excavator manufacturer's part number and the hydraulic manufacturer's model number may refer to the same original component.
This is why supplying both references can be extremely useful when requesting a replacement.
It may also allow our team to investigate whether an OEM-supplied replacement is available alongside a genuine machine-branded part.
Step 5: What If the Identification Plate Is Missing?
Identification plates can become damaged, corroded or unreadable over time.
Fortunately, there are other ways to help identify the original manufacturer.
Check the Opposite Final Drive
If you're identifying a final drive, check the unit on the opposite side of the machine.
Where the machine uses matching left-hand and right-hand assemblies, the opposite drive may have an intact identification plate.
Always confirm whether the two sides use the same specification before ordering.
Look for Cast or Stamped Markings
Some components have manufacturer markings or reference numbers cast or stamped directly into the housing.
These may help identify the component family.
However, a casting number is not necessarily the complete assembly part number.
Check the Machine Serial Number
The excavator's serial number can help establish which component was originally fitted during production.
This is particularly important for machines where the manufacturer changed suppliers or component specifications during the production run.
Take Clear Photographs
Photographs of the original component can help identify its design and manufacturer.
We recommend taking photographs of:
-
The complete component
-
Any identification plates or stamped markings
-
The hydraulic port arrangement
-
The motor and gearbox connection
-
The mounting flanges
If the part number cannot be established, measurements may also be required.
For more information, read our guide: How to Measure an Excavator Final Drive.
Step 6: Identify Whether You Need OEM, Genuine or Aftermarket Parts
Once the original manufacturer has been identified, you may have several replacement options.
Genuine Parts
Genuine parts are supplied through the machine manufacturer's branded parts network.
For example, a genuine Volvo component is supplied under the Volvo parts brand.
OEM Parts
OEM parts are manufactured by the original component supplier.
For example, where a machine was originally fitted with a Kawasaki hydraulic pump, an equivalent replacement supplied by Kawasaki may be available.
The correct specification must still be verified.
Aftermarket Parts
Aftermarket parts are manufactured by alternative suppliers as replacements for the original component.
These may offer a more cost-effective solution, depending on the manufacturer, application and quality of the replacement.
At Pro Construction Parts, we supply both OEM and aftermarket options, allowing customers to compare availability, price and lead time.
Can You Fit a Different Brand of Final Drive?
In some applications, a replacement final drive manufactured by a different company can be fitted.
However, it must be correctly matched to the machine.
Important factors include:
-
Mounting flange dimensions
-
Sprocket mounting arrangement
-
Hydraulic motor displacement
-
Gearbox reduction ratio
-
Operating pressure and flow requirements
-
Travel speed and braking specifications
-
Hydraulic port arrangement
Two final drives may look identical but have different internal specifications.
For this reason, we recommend confirming compatibility before purchasing a replacement from a different manufacturer.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know who manufactured my excavator's final drive?
Check the identification plate on the travel motor or gearbox housing. This may show a manufacturer such as KYB, Nabtesco, Nachi, Bonfiglioli or Rexroth.
Is the OEM manufacturer always the same as the excavator manufacturer?
No. Excavator manufacturers frequently source components from specialist hydraulic and transmission manufacturers.
Are OEM parts the same quality as genuine parts?
Where the OEM replacement is genuinely manufactured by the original supplier to the same specification, it may be equivalent to the original component. However, not every part sold as OEM is identical to the machine-branded version, so the specification and supply chain should be verified.
Can I identify the manufacturer using only a part number?
Often, yes. Certain model prefixes are associated with particular manufacturers, although the complete number is usually needed for accurate identification.
What if I can't find any identification numbers?
Send us photographs of the component along with your machine make, model and serial number. Our team can investigate the original specification and available replacements.
Does the OEM brand matter when replacing a hydraulic pump?
Yes. Hydraulic pumps can have different regulator arrangements, mounting specifications and performance characteristics, even within the same model family.
Correct identification helps avoid ordering an incompatible replacement.
