How to find the right part for your plant

By the SM Plant Sales parts desk, Rugby. Updated 19 October 2026. All guides

What do I need before ordering a plant part?

You need the machine’s make, model and serial number, plus the part number or a clear photo of the old part. With those we can match the part to your machine; without the serial number, you risk buying a part that was right for the same model built in a different year.

Gather these before you search or call:

1. Make and model, as written on the decals or the serial plate (for example Mecalac TA6S or Volvo EC18E).
2. Serial number from the serial plate, not the hours meter or a hire fleet number.
3. Part number from the old part, its packaging or the parts list in the operator’s manual.
4. Photos of the old part, the serial plate and where the part fits.

Where is the serial number on a dumper or mini excavator?

The serial number is on a metal plate fixed to the machine’s frame, and the operator’s manual shows exactly where it sits on your model. On some machines the number is also stamped into the frame itself.

• The engine has its own serial plate. For engine parts such as filters, gaskets and starter motors, send the engine make and serial number as well as the machine’s.
• A hire firm’s fleet number is not the serial number.
• If the plate is painted over or worn, clean it gently with degreaser rather than a wire brush, and photograph it at an angle so the stamped characters cast a shadow.

How do I read the part number on the old part?

Most parts carry a number: stamped or cast into metal, printed on a label or canister, or moulded into rubber and plastic. Clean the part first, as numbers often hide under grease.

• Filters: the number is printed on the canister or the end cap of the element. Our filters range lists 207 filters.
• Hoses: these are made to a length and fitting type, so measure the length and photograph both ends.
• Volvo parts: parts listed as “VOLVO Genuine Parts” in our Volvo spare parts range (396 parts) are genuine Volvo parts, so search by the Volvo number.

Type the number into the site search, without spaces or hyphens if the first try finds nothing. Still nothing? The number may have been superseded.

How do I use the Parts by machine finder?

The Parts by machine finder lists the parts we have matched to each of 224 machines, so you can browse by machine instead of guessing part names.

1. Open Parts by machine and choose the make.
2. Pick your model. Closely related models share one page, for example the TA6 and TA6S on the TA6 parts page (384 parts).
3. Open a part to see its part number, the machines it fits where known, the price ex VAT and inc VAT, whether it is in stock, and how to order.
4. If the part page or a diagram mentions a serial number range, check yours falls inside it.

The number of parts listed varies by machine: a Mecalac TA6 has 384, a Thwaites MACH 2060 has 33 and a CompAir C20 has 24. If your machine or the part you need is not listed, it may still be available to order in, so ask the parts desk.

For exploded views, the parts diagrams and spec sheets help you name the part and see what sits around it. Some of that information is serial number specific, which is one more reason to have the serial number to hand.

What is a superseded part number?

A superseded part number is an old number that the manufacturer has replaced with a new one, usually because the part was updated or its supplier changed. The new part fits the same position but sometimes needs an extra item or comes as a kit, so if an old number from a manual or invoice finds nothing, ask the parts desk to check the cross-reference.

Badges cause a similar problem. Benford, Terex and Mecalac dumpers are one product line under three names, so the same part can sit in several ranges: 730 of the 732 Terex dumper parts we list are also listed under Benford dumpers. Our guide to Benford, Terex and Mecalac dumper parts explains the history and what it means for ordering.

How do I send a photo of a part to the parts desk?

WhatsApp the photos to 07989 556457, or email them to info@smplantsales.com, with the machine’s make, model and serial number in the message. Good photos save a call back.

• Photograph the old part in daylight from more than one side, with a close-up of any numbers or labels.
• Put a tape measure beside it for size, and measure threads, bores and lengths where you can.
• Take one photo of where the part fits, and one of the serial plate.

Checklist: what to send with a parts enquiry

What to send	Where to find it	Why it matters
Make and model	Decals, serial plate, operator’s manual	Narrows the search to the right machine page
Machine serial number	Serial plate on the frame	Specifications changed between serial number ranges
Year and hours	Paperwork and hours meter	Helps confirm the build and what has been replaced before
Part number	On the part, its packaging or the manual	The quickest exact match
Engine make and serial number	Plate on the engine	Needed for most engine parts
Photos and measurements	The old part, with a tape measure beside it	Identifies parts with no readable number
Where it fits	A photo of the machine	Separates left from right and front from rear
Quantity and postcode	You	Lets us confirm stock and delivery together

Ordering, prices and delivery

Prices are shown ex VAT by default, with a switch to show them inc VAT. Pay online by card through Stripe, or with Apple Pay, Google Pay, Klarna or Link. Parts marked “price on application” are quoted by the parts desk by phone, WhatsApp or the enquiry form. Trade accounts are available on request.

Order by 3pm, Monday to Friday, for next working day delivery of in-stock parts; orders after 3pm, at the weekend or on a bank holiday go out the next working day. We deliver to England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland; one charge per order, set by the largest item (most parts to England and Wales: £10 ex VAT). Full details are on our delivery and returns page.

Check before you fit: under the consumer cancellation right, parts must be unused and not fitted to come back.

Questions

Can I find a plant part without the part number?

Yes. Send the parts desk at SM Plant Sales a photo of the old part with the machine’s make, model and serial number, by WhatsApp on 07989 556457 or by email to info@smplantsales.com, and we will work from those. A tape measure in the photo helps.

Why can’t I find my part number on the website?

Two common reasons are that the number has been superseded by a newer one, or that the part is listed under a different badge, such as Benford instead of Terex. Send the number to the parts desk on 01788 555377 and we will check the cross-reference.

What does “price on application” mean on a part?

It means the parts desk quotes the price for you rather than showing it online. Ask by phone on 01788 555377, by WhatsApp or through the enquiry form.

Does SM Plant Sales sell genuine Volvo parts?

Yes. Parts listed as “VOLVO Genuine Parts” in our catalogue are genuine Volvo parts. The Volvo range has 396 parts, and the finder lists 56 Volvo machines.

How quickly are parts sent out?

Order by 3pm on a weekday for next working day delivery of in-stock parts; later orders go out the next working day. For parts we order in, the parts desk tells you when to expect them.

Can I collect parts from Rugby?

Call the parts desk on 01788 555377 before you order: collection from our depot at 28 Somers Road, Rugby, CV22 7DB, is arranged by phone. More answers are on our FAQ page.