An effective oil analysis program can help GSE fleet managers reduce costs, keep equipment running efficiently and prevent potential mechanical problems from occurring in the future.

“Oil analysis for a GSE fleet is like getting a blood test for your equipment,” says Drew Southern, lubrication consultant at Schaeffer Manufacturing Company. “It tells you what’s going on under the hood.”

“First of all, it lets you stretch your oil drain intervals without guessing, saving both time and money. You’re not dumping good oil just because the calendar says so,” Southern continues. “Second, it’s about performance. Clean, healthy oil keeps everything running smooth and strong, like a well-oiled engine should.”

Southern adds that oil analysis also serves as an early warning system.

“It catches problems before they snowball into costly breakdowns. Think of it as a crystal ball for predictive maintenance,” he says. “It also helps you cut waste and keep the fleet rolling efficiently.  And at the end of the day, it extends the life of your machines – keeping them on the tarmac longer and out of the repair shop.”

What Should be Measured

During an oil analysis, the oil is broken down so the necessary information can be gleaned.

“First, you’re checking for wear metals. These are tiny bits of metal that rub off when parts start grinding against each other. If you see too much of that, it’s a reg flag that something’s wearing down faster than it should, like a bearing or gear starting to fail,” Southern says.

“Next you’ve got contaminants – things like dirt, water or fuel that sneak into the oil,” he continues. “These can gum up the works and cause all sorts of headaches if you’re not careful. Oil analysis catches those intruders early so you can fix the problem before it snowballs.”

An oil analysis also evaluates the oil condition itself. According to Southern, maintenance personnel should examine the oil’s viscosity and oxidation, as well as whether the oil still has its additive package working.

“Think of it as making sure the oil still has the muscle to protect your engine or hydraulic system,” he adds.

Equipment and Uses

The type of equipment and how it’s used can have an impact on an oil analysis.

For example, a baggage tug and a deicing truck both need oil, but Southern points out that they work under different conditions. Therefore, a tug might see stop-and-go use all day while a deicer runs heavy hydraulics in freezing temperatures.

Those different uses change what a GSE fleet maintenance manager looks for in the oil.

“For example, equipment under heavy loads or extreme heat will show more oxidation and viscosity changes. The oil gets thicker as it breaks down,” Southern says. “On the other hand, machines exposed to dust, dirt or water might show more contaminants, like dirt particles or moisture.”

The work environment matters too, Southern adds.

“If a piece of GSE is running nonstop on the tarmac in high heat, you’re going to see a different wear pattern than, say, something that’s only used sparingly,” he says. “So, oil analysis adapts to the machine – whether you’re watching for metal wear from heavy loads, contaminants from dirty conditions or oil breakdown from high heat.”

Oil Analysis Frequency

At Schaeffer Manufacturing Company, Southern says they approach extended drain intervals by starting with the client’s baseline interval.

“For an MA50, that’s typically every 200 to 300 hours, or about every 40 to 50 days,” Southern says. “We do an oil analysis right at that first change, using it as a benchmark. From there, we gradually ramp up the intervals based on the client’s comfort level and the oil analysis results.”

After the first change, Schaeffer officials may extend the interval by 150 hours and run another analysis.

“If the oil is still performing well – minimal wear metals, good condition – we keep pushing it further,” Southern says. “It’s a gradual process because we want to be sure the oil can handle the extra workload, but the oil analysis tells us exactly how far we can go.”

Using this method to stretch out drain intervals can save money on oil changes and reduce downtime.

Those savings can be multiplied given the size of a company and the number of motorized vehicles in the fleet.

Oil Analysis Benefits

An oil analysis offers fleet managers a range of benefits that go beyond checking the oil, Southern explains.

“First off, it helps them fine-tune their PM cycles. Instead of relying on generic schedules, the analysis shows exactly when the oil needs to be changed based on real data, which means fewer unnecessary changes and more efficient maintenance,” he says.

“It also leads to extended equipment longevity,” Southern continues. “By catching early signs of wear or contamination, oil analysis prevents small issues from turning into big, expensive problems. This keeps the GSE fleet running smoother for longer, reducing downtime and increasing productivity.”

According to Southern, oil analysis is key to getting the most out of premium lubricants. However, he warns the process is not just about switching to a high-performance oil and considering the process complete.

“It’s about using oil analysis to track how well that oil is working in your specific equipment,” Southern says. “This data-driven approach helps you maximize the benefits, extend drain intervals and catch potential issues before they become costly breakdowns.”

Southern also explains that premium lubricants have more purposes than strictly extreme conditions or heavy duty use.

“Whether you’re running a couple of tugs or an entire fleet of specialized GSE, premium lubricants reduce overall wear, improve fuel efficiency and cut downtime – making it a strategic choice for any operation,” he concludes.