About McElroy Manufacturing
Since 1954, McElroy Manufacturing Inc. has built its reputation on precision, reliability and technical excellence. Headquartered in Tulsa, Oklahoma, the company designs and manufactures the world’s most complete line of fusion equipment for joining thermoplastic pipe. Their machines support critical infrastructure systems across underground utilities, water and sewer networks, gas distribution, mining, landfill operations, and piping inside buildings – applications where dependable performance is essential.
As McElroy continued to innovate across multiple product platforms, the company faced a familiar challenge for manufacturers of highly specialized equipment: finding a power solution that could support demanding applications without compromising machine design. Meeting that challenge led McElroy to Kubota engines and to a long-standing partnership with CK Power.
Meeting the Challenge
Fusion equipment places unique demands on its power source. McElroy’s machines must deliver steady output for heating elements and hydraulic systems while operating for long stretches in field conditions where consistency matters as much as raw power. At the same time, engine placement directly affects machine balance, service access and overall usability, making packaging a critical design consideration rather than an afterthought.
“Before working with Kubota engines, one of our biggest challenges was finding a reliable compact power plant that could fit within our equipment’s tight packaging requirements while still delivering the performance needed for our demanding applications,” said Geoff Koch, Vice President of Product Development and Quality.
Kubota engines provided McElroy with the flexibility to meet those competing requirements. Their compact footprint and power density allowed McElroy’s engineering teams to design around the engine, rather than compromise machine layout or performance to accommodate it.
Why Kubota Engines
Kubota engines stood out for their strong power-to-size ratio, durability and range of configurations that aligned well with McElroy’s diverse applications. The engines delivered consistent output across multiple platforms while maintaining the compact profiles required for McElroy’s equipment designs.
Today, McElroy uses several Kubota engines across its product lineup, reflecting the flexibility of the platform and its ability to support different machine sizes and power needs:
- Kubota D722 in the TracStar® 412i and 618i
- Kubota D1005 in the TracStar® 500 Series 3
- Kubota D1803 in the Tritan® 560
Each application incorporates a Hayes mounting solution configured specifically for generator or hydraulic pump integration, allowing McElroy to apply a consistent power architecture across multiple product families.
Integration Made Easy
“The integration of Kubota engines and Hayes mounting systems has streamlined our design and manufacturing process,” said Geoff Koch. “The combination allows us to mount generators or hydraulic pumps directly to the engine, powering our heaters or hydraulic systems efficiently.”
That approach gives McElroy’s engineering team a consistent, repeatable foundation across multiple product lines. By standardizing how power is generated and transferred within the machine, McElroy can reduce variation between builds and focus design effort on the fusion process itself. Engines arrive from CK Power already configured for McElroy’s specifications, which simplifies installation on the assembly line and helps keep production moving predictably.
Performance That Stands Out
In day-to-day use, the machines deliver steady power over long runs, require little maintenance, and hold up well in tough jobsite conditions, helping crews stay productive when working on time-sensitive infrastructure projects.
“We’ve seen exceptional results in the field,” Koch said. “Kubota engines have proven to be extremely reliable and durable, delivering consistent power and long service life.”
Strengthening Partnerships
Just as important as the engine itself has been McElroy’s partnership with CK Power, its primary distributor for Kubota engines, and Hayes, manufacturer of mounting solutions, both unified within the CK Power Family of Companies to deliver a fully integrated solution. As McElroy’s product lines have evolved, CK Power has remained closely involved, supporting both current production needs and future development efforts.
Rather than operating as a transactional supplier, CK Power works alongside McElroy’s engineering and purchasing teams to evaluate engine options, align configurations with design requirements and plan for long-term production needs. That early involvement reduces uncertainty as new machines move from concept to production and helps ensure consistency across multiple platforms. This collaboration streamlines coordination between engine and mounting systems, reinforcing the value of having both capabilities aligned within the same organization.
CK Power also plays a key role in maintaining production continuity. By coordinating forecasts, holding inventory and responding quickly when questions arise, they help McElroy avoid disruptions and stay focused on building highly specialized fusion equipment. This level of engagement has made CK Power a trusted partner in McElroy’s ongoing commitment to precision, reliability and product quality.
Looking Ahead
McElroy plans to continue using Kubota engines across future equipment platforms. The combination of compact design, dependable performance and strong distributor support has proven effective across a wide range of applications.
“We’re very satisfied with the performance and dependability of Kubota engines across our product lines,” Koch said. “Kubota engines and CK Power have provided us with reliable, high-performing power solutions that keep our fusion equipment running strong in the field every day.”
With shared values around quality, responsiveness and long-term customer relationships, McElroy Manufacturing, Kubota Engine America and CK Power remain aligned in delivering equipment built to perform wherever precision matters most.
