Pump Partnership Keeping Drought at Bay

^{December 5, 2025}

Stretching back to the late 1800s, generations of crop farmers in northern Victoria have grappled with drought and inconsistent rainfall, sometimes to crippling effect.

To beat the drought and keep crops (predominantly fruit trees) alive in times of drought, early efforts focused on diverting natural watercourses such as the Wimmera and Loddon rivers, to supplement natural rainfall, providing drinking water for stock and irrigating natural pastures in the Mallee scrub.

The development of larger-scale irrigation systems accelerated in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, particularly in the Goulburn-Murray region, involving the construction of dams, weirs, and extensive channel networks.

Channel country

Today, there are thousands of kilometres of channels and more contemporary pipelines crisscrossing the region, providing life-giving water to Victoria's irrigated agricultural industries.

As times change, so too do the methods for moving this water around. Whilst gravity, via a string of weirs and lochs, does the lion’s share of the work, there’s still an essential need to pump water to where it’s most critically required.

Moving water

Specialist designers and manufacturers of pumps for agriculture and irrigation, Collins Pumps, is one business in the region tasked with supplying that solution.

Established in 1987, Collins Pumps are experts in the design and build of self-priming, high-volume pumps for harsh Australian conditions and have recently stepped-up its range with the addition of Isuzu Power Solutions (IPS) diesel power units, built for reliability and economy.

The company’s unique direct-coupled, diesel-driven pumps come with a heat exchanger unit built into the body of the pump, which allows the engine to remain cool even in the hottest and harshest conditions. This is exceptionally useful in mobile and fixed applications as it eliminates the need for a cumbersome radiator and fan.

Founder, Ross Collins, invented the unique pumping system and after establishing the business in Gunbower, Victoria, on the Murray River, he soon required a larger manufacturing premises and moved to Moama on the New South Wales side of the river opposite the thriving Victorian town of Echuca.

Endless options

The award-winning pumps are designed for farm, agriculture, flood mitigation, earth works and construction, high volume irrigation and aquaculture.

Collins Pumps designs and builds pumps from six-inch to 12-inch diameter with endless options and variations to perform to specific requirements, including high-pressure applications such as mobile irrigation and drip irrigation.

To power these unique units, Collins has become increasingly reliant on the Isuzu product for the majority of its tasks.

Workshop Manager, Stuart Chandler, who has been with the company for over 16 years says the Isuzu engines not only meet their needs but are exceeding expectations.

“We predominantly use Isuzu engines, either the three- or four-cylinder models,” Mr Chandler said.

“We generally specify the four-cylinder 4JG1 for the 12-inch stationary pumps and the three-cylinder 3CB1 on the six-inch pumps, and then we have the 3CE on our eight-inch and then finally the 4LE2 on our ten-inch pumps.

“As an engine reconditioner by trade, I’ve always thought that the Isuzu engines were excellent. They’re very reliable, they’re economical and they’re competitive in the market in terms of pricing.”

The beating heart

The Isuzu 4JG1 is a four-cylinder naturally aspirated (non turbo) mechanically injected engine that puts out a maximum of 46.2 kW or 62 hp @ 2,600 RPM and a hefty 195 Nm of torque at 1,800 RPM.

Mr Chandler said it has all the grunt needed to run a big 12-inch pump.

“We run them at about 2,200 RPM, and they go all day,” he said.

The three-cylinder power plants, such as the IPS 3CE1, are rated at 26.9 kW/ 36.1 hp @ 3,000 RPM and 103 Nm @ 1,800 RPM. They also feature mechanical injection, are naturally aspirated and are renowned for their premium build, reliability and economy.

Mr Chandler went on to say that as an OEM, Collins Pumps deals directly with Isuzu Power Solutions (IPS), a growing division of Isuzu Australia Limited (IAL), and the company supplies Collins with engines to fit their specification.

“As we use our own heat exchangers for cooling the engines, we don’t need radiators or fans for a lot of our engines and the team at IPS supply us with engines just the way we require, so we’re not paying for parts we don’t need – and neither are our customers,” he said.

“Similarly, we build our own engine-start control systems on 90 per cent of our pumps. This system not only starts the engine, it shuts down and protects it from damage if it detects overheating, low oil pressure or loss of pump prime,” he added.

“There’s a small percentage, like the bigger stationary pumps where we will buy a power pack, which does come with all Isuzu’s gear on it like a controller, radiator and fan, but as I say, the team at IPS will supply us with the engines right to our spec, which is certainly helps us.”

Support

With IAL’s vast dealer network, any parts that are needed for servicing or repairs are readily available, and with Collins Pumps’ customers spreading across the country, that’s important.

 “We have customers anywhere from here to Kununurra in WA,” Mr Chandler said.

“Our main footprint is all throughout the irrigation areas like the Riverina, Victoria, South Australia…you name it, we’ve probably got pump or two there.”

“Farmers either do their own servicing or have someone come in and look after their equipment like tractors and other machinery and while they’re at it, they service the pumps.

“We’ve found that the Isuzu engines are so reliable they don’t need much work at all. An oil change and some filters and they’re right to go – and the right oil and filters are available at the Isuzu dealership. It’s really that easy.”

Chandler said that some customers do bring their pumps into the Moama factory for servicing or repair, but the engines don’t give them much trouble.

“To be honest, it’s great to have all the parts for the engines so accessible but since we’ve been using Isuzu, we really haven’t needed many. The engines are so well built, they just keep going,” he said.

A quality partnership

Quality is a major focus for Collins Pumps and that can be seen in the finished product.

The pumps, the frames or trailers are finished to an extremely high standard. The welding and paintwork is first-class and even the alignment of the nuts and bolts, the neatness of the electrics and cable ties all point to a quality product.

“We pride ourselves on the quality of our Australian-built pumps,” said Mr Chandler.

“Having engines with the reputation of Isuzu powering them actually helps us in our marketing, as everyone, especially in the rural sector, knows that Isuzu means quality and reliability, so I reckon we’ll be sticking with Isuzu for very long time.”

ends