Premium lubricants can provide a number of benefits for a GSE fleet.
According to Drew Southern, lubrication consultant at Schaeffer Manufacturing Company – a producer of premium oils and lubricants, these enhanced products offer better protection against wea, oxidation and extreme temperatures. As a result, engines, hydraulics and transmissions can perform more efficiently for a longer period of time.
From the point of view of a GSE fleet manager, this also means less downtime, fewer repairs and extended equipment life – all while improving fuel efficiency, Southern says.
“Premium lubricants allow for longer drain intervals, cutting back on the number oil changes and labor involved, which translates to significant cost savings in the long run,” he says.
Premium lubricants include oils that can be used up to five times longer than the standard oils, using an oil analysis to confirm these intervals.
“It’s like having a performance report card for your oil,” Southern says. “The analysis proves that even after extended use, our oils are still doing the heavy lifting, keeping your equipment running strong.”
At Schaeffer, Southern says products are designed to last longer. Therefore, oil analysis is vital to make sure that the lubricants’ extra time in the system isn’t causing hidden issues.
“By evaluating wear metals, contaminants and overall condition, you’re not just guessing. You’re making informed decisions that keep your GSE fleet running like clockwork,” he says. “With Schaeffer Oil, our products are designed to handle extreme conditions, but oil analysis helps you fine-tune your approach based on the specific piece of equipment and how hard it’s being pushed. It’s like having a custom health check-up for every machine in the fleet.”
An effective oil analysis allows fleet managers to confirm premium oils can safely stretch drain intervals, which means fewer oil changes, less downtime and significant cost savings.
“All in all, oil analysis is a powerful tool for maximizing performance and cutting operational costs in the long run,” Southenr points out.
“However, some fleet managers might hesitate to use premium lubricants because of the higher upfront cost. They may feel like standard oils get the job done, and the extra investment isn’t necessary, especially if they’re focused on short-term budgets,” he continues. “But what they might miss is that premium lubricants pay for themselves over time with reduced maintenance costs, fewer breakdowns and longer equipment life – the kind of savings that rally add up when you’re managing a fleet.”
