Background
Running a large-scale farm means staying ahead of the weather, water, and time. For producers across southern Queensland and northern New South Wales, reliable irrigation is non-negotiable; which is why so many turn to McGregor Diesel.
Founded in 2008 by Shane and Amanda McGregor, this family-owned business in Goondiwindi has become a trusted partner to regional farmers. With deep roots in the region’s farming communities, their team has become a trusted partner for local producers when it comes to keeping irrigation and pumping stations running reliably, efficiently and with minimal downtime.
One of McGregor Diesel’s long-term clients is with Morella Agriculture, a family-run cotton producer. In 2022, Morella expanded by acquiring the Kalanga Aggregation; a 12,840-hectare property near Toobeah, Queensland, spanning 69 irrigated and dryland fields. It was a significant opportunity for the business but also came with a major challenge — a mixed fleet of ageing engines that added cost and complexity.
With Shane, we know we’re in good hands. It’s the relationship and the trust; we know we’ll get quality equipment and even better support.” – Tom, Morella Agriculture
To learn more about how our power solutions can benefit your business, contact us today.
- Client McGregor Diesel
- Completion Date Ongoing
- Industry Agriculture
- Location Queensland
About McGregor Diesel
Requirement
As farms scale, so do their irrigation demands. At Kalanga, Morella inherited an engine fleet spread across eight pump sites, featuring up to eight different manufacturers, and sometimes two different engine brands at a single site. In an operation where irrigation reliability is critical, this creates several problems:
- Incompatibility between engines and parts.
- Complicated service and maintenance schedules requiring multiple technicians.
- Difficulty sourcing parts and consistent support.
- Frequent downtime, with potential significant losses per day
Many agribusinesses prioritise upfront equipment costs without considering whole life costs. This means that while initial capital expenditure is low, often long-term operating costs including fuel burn, repairs, maintenance, and downtime are significantly higher over the lifetime of the equipment.
Solution
To solve these problems, McGregor Diesel, in partnership with EPSA, transitioned Morella’s irrigation system to a fully standardised Caterpillar engine setup. Founder Shane McGregor advocates for a unified “go yellow” approach; standardising on Cat® equipment for its:
- Unmatched reliability, as fewer breakdowns reduces unexpected downtime and emergency servicing.
- Fuel efficiency as Cat® engines deliver low fuel burn and operational savings.
- Ease of maintenance, as standardising engine models means fewer parts are required, and McGregor Diesel technicians can provide faster, more consistent service.
Each Cat® engine was installed with remote pump site monitoring telemetry which allows Morella to monitor fuel burn, engine hours, service intervals, and engine control in real-time from their phones, improving visibility and enabling proactive decision making.
Led by their dedicated local representative, EPSA provides McGregor Diesel with proactive, on-the ground solutions with fast access to pricing, product availability, and ongoing technical support. The partnership approach ensures everything from supply to service is seamless, from engine supply and installation to warranty tracking and servicing.
“We’re proud to partner with Shane and McGregor Diesel to power farms like Morella with reliable energy solutions.” – Grant Taylor, Industrial Engines Representative, EPSA
-
Seamless Power Transition
Unmatched reliability, as fewer breakdowns reduces unexpected downtime and emergency servicing.
-
Advanced Technology
Fuel efficiency as Cat® engines deliver low fuel burn and operational savings.
Results
What started as a single pump installation quickly turned into a larger transformation. Morella now operates 15 Cat® powered engines, delivering measurable improvements across their operations, including:
- Cat® powered pump sites have had repair and maintenance costs reduced.
- Lower fuel consumption reduces operating expenses and leads to significant savings.
- Cost savings on spare parts with the commonality of parts, availability, and reliability.
- With local Cat® dealer Hastings Deering not far away, the majority of spare parts once ordered will arrive overnight or within the next 24 hours.
- Greater operational flexibility as engines can be relocated across farms based on seasonal needs.
- Real-time performance data through telemetry reduces guesswork and enables timely response to alerts.
This approach proves that investing in the right equipment upfront delivers long-term efficiency, performance, and profitability.
-
Savings on Fuel, Maintenance and Repairs
Cat® powered pump sites significantly reduce repair and maintenance costs, as well as fuel consumption.
-
Local Service Support
Local dealer Hastings Deering means spare parts once ordered will arrive overnight or within the next 24 hours.
Powering the Future of Agriculture
Together, McGregor Diesel and EPSA transformed Morella Agriculture’s complex, high-maintenance engine setup into a streamlined, high-performing Cat® power system. McGregor Diesel brought the local knowledge and trusted relationships and EPSA delivered proven Caterpillar solutions and ongoing support
The result? A reliable, efficient, and cost-effective setup that’s easier to maintain and built for the long haul.
For Morella—and farms like it—the benefits are clear:
- Lower operating costs
- Fewer breakdowns
- Confidence to focus on the season ahead
As Shane McGregor puts it: “With Energy Power Systems Australia and Caterpillar, it’s simpler, more cost-effective over the asset’s life, and ultimately better for the farm.”