I bought my kub because I like their product,therefore I will use their products to keep it maintained,same goes for the hog in the garage.If you spend your hard earned money on a product you like,why not spend for the product they sell to maintain it?
I guess it depends on how you look at.
It is a matter of preference in some cases. If you wish to support a manufacture 100% that isn't a problem. However, I personally feel that in most cases the manufacture isn't going to stand behind me 100% if there is a problem. Most cases they do when it is a cheap fix, but when it gets expensive, they tend to blame the user.
But for me, why pay twice as much (in some cases) for something when you can go elsewhere and get it cheaper, and in some cases get a better product?
I know most people do not buy dealer parts unless they have to because they know they cost more at the dealer. I know not everything is apples and apples when it comes to parts from the dealer and third party companies, but usually it is pretty close.
I'm sure most of us do not go buy a GM oil filter when we change our oil in our cars.
Or worse for some of the people that are on this site, have more than one piece of equipment, so now they have oil 1, and oil 2, and oil 3 for their tractors because the 3 diferent manufactures say to use their oil. So now they have to worry about getting them mixed up, keeping it in stock, etc.
I will run whatever is compatable/conveinent at the time I need it.