Need Help Deciding: AO Smith Motor for Inground Pool, or Emerson US Motors?

I need to buy a new motor, UST 1072 3/4 hp. Prices of the Smith motors are competitive with Emerson US Motors. Emerson throws in a pump seal with the price, AND has a 18 month warranty. While 18 mos is not a long time, Smith doesn't offer any warranty. I know the Smith motors are easy to drop new bearings in, but it seems like they need bearings ALOT! So, looking for opinions. Thanks.

I know very little about swimming pools, considerably more about pumps & motors and have ALOT of opinions!! US Motors (industrial NEMA frame type) has a long history of reliability as do others such as Baldor, Reliance Electric, GE, etc. There's very little reliability difference between these manufacturer's motors and PRICE is the deciding factor. I am unfamiliar with AO Smith motors.
US motor offers this 18-month warranty (+ replacement seal) which is good but I expect years of service (not months) from my pump motor. I am troubled that the motor "need bearings ALOT". This should not happen and curious what's causing the bearing failures and the frequency between these failures. If the pump problem, such as cavitation or alignment, contributing to motor failure is resloved then motor life is considerably extended and the price delta between any two motors is diminished...just my 2 cents

Good luck with your choice

Membership updated.

Fractional motor companies have changed hands so much over the past 10 years, I can't remember who is who. And, because some have kept names, but changed manufacturing process, old reputations don't necessarily mean much.