Deciding on a fuel management system usually comes down to one question: are you retrofitting control onto pumps you already own, or building a dispensing point from scratch? The answer changes which PIUSI system makes sense, because MC Box, Cube MC and iPETRO Link each solve a different part of the same problem.
This article breaks down the practical differences between the three: what each one controls, what it doesn't, and where it fits on a site running diesel, AdBlue or lubricants. You'll walk away knowing whether you need a standalone controller, an all-in-one dispensing cube, or a cloud-connected tank gauge, and how these systems tie into a wider setup involving PETRO Industrial self-bunded tanks and PIUSI metering equipment.
What Does a Fuel Management System Actually Control?
A fuel management system tracks who took fuel, how much, and from which tank or pump. That's the core function across all three products discussed here, but the mechanism differs.
MC Box and Cube MC control dispensing access at the pump. They require a key or PIN before fuel flows, log the transaction, and store volume against a user or vehicle ID. iPETRO Link works differently again. It doesn't control access at all, it monitors tank stock levels remotely and pushes that data to the cloud, which matters when your concern is stock visibility across multiple sites rather than who is filling up.
Knowing this distinction upfront saves a lot of wasted comparison time. If your problem is unauthorised fuel use at a single depot, you're choosing between MC Box and Cube MC. If your problem is not knowing how much diesel is sitting in a tank at a remote site until someone drives out to check the gauge, iPETRO Link is the relevant product.
MC Box vs Cube MC vs iPETRO Link: Key Differences
The Cube 70 MC takes the opposite approach: everything in one cabinet. View Product It pairs a 70 L/min self-priming pump with a K33 meter, suction filter, 4-metre delivery hose and A120 automatic nozzle, all under key-based access control for up to 50 users. For a site building a new dispensing point rather than upgrading an old one, Cube MC removes the guesswork of sourcing each component separately. A higher-capacity option, the MC-F unit rated at 90 L/min for up to 100 users, suits larger fleets running more vehicles through the same bowser. View Product
The iPETRO Link Gateway is the outlier in this comparison, and deliberately so. View Product It's an automatic tank gauge with cloud integration, built to report fuel levels remotely rather than manage who dispenses fuel. Paired with an iPETRO hydrostatic level transmitter, it gives a real-time read on tank stock without anyone climbing a ladder to check a dipstick. The iPETRO Link Gateway integrates into the VMI Portal for clear, online tracking of all dispensing data. Operators running several unstaffed sites tend to value this more than access control alone.
|
System |
Key Spec |
Best Use Case |
Price Range |
|
MC Box (Compact Agilis C) |
Up to 80 users, 100-240V AC, standalone controller |
Adding access control to existing pumps and meters |
Entry-level investment |
|
Cube 70 MC |
70 L/min pump, K33 meter, A120 nozzle, 50 users |
New dispensing point needing pump, meter and control in one unit |
Mid-range, all-in-one |
|
MC-F (90 L/min) |
90 L/min throughput, 100 users |
Higher-volume fleets refuelling multiple vehicles daily |
Mid to upper range |
|
iPETRO Link Gateway |
Cloud-connected automatic tank gauge |
Remote stock level monitoring across one or more sites |
Premium, includes cloud service |
Choosing by Site Type: Retrofits, New Installs and Multi-Site Fleets
A transport depot with an existing E120 pump and K33 meter setup rarely needs to rip out working infrastructure to add accountability. This is exactly where MC Box earns its place: bolt it in, issue keys to drivers, and start logging litres against vehicle registration numbers. Workshops and small fleet yards use this configuration often, since it's the lowest-disruption way to stop unrecorded diesel loss.
Construction and agriculture sites setting up a new refuelling point from the ground up tend to lean toward Cube MC. A single cabinet housing pump, meter, hose, nozzle and access control means less time coordinating separate deliveries and less risk of mismatched components. On a farm running several utes and a header through harvest season, having 50-user capacity built in from day one avoids a second purchase down the track.
Fleet operators and mining contractors managing multiple remote sites face a different challenge: not access control, but visibility. iPETRO Link Gateway answers that by feeding tank level data to the cloud, so a procurement officer sitting in an office can see stock across five depots without a phone call to each site. For operations already running an iPETRO Lite FMS or offline gauge like the iPETRO Solus, Link is the upgrade path toward full remote monitoring.
Power generation sites running standby diesel tanks benefit from the same logic. Nobody visits these tanks daily, so an automatic tank gauge that reports level changes and alerts on unexpected drops does more good than an access-controlled bowser nobody uses more than once a week.
How These Systems Fit Into a Complete Refuelling Setup
None of these three products work in isolation from the rest of a fuel handling setup. MC Box and Cube MC both depend on accurate metering, which is where the K33 or K44 meters come in, along with automatic nozzles like the A120 for consistent shut-off. If you're speccing a new install, it's worth reviewing the full range of flow meters to confirm which model matches your pump's flow rate before locking in a Cube configuration.
Tank-side, PETRO Industrial self-bunded tanks are the natural pairing for iPETRO Link Gateway. The gateway reads tank level via the hydrostatic transmitter, so it needs a tank fitted for that sensor from the outset, something to confirm with your supplier before installation rather than after. Adding a PIUSI Ocio gauge at the tank itself gives a local visual reading as a backup to the cloud data, and it's worth browsing the full range of gauges if you want both local and remote visibility on the same tank.
Filtration matters here too. A Cube MC pumping diesel through a suction filter protects the meter's internal gears from contamination, and swapping in a 10-micron particulate filter extends service life further. For sites running any of these three systems, it's worth reviewing the full range of fuel monitoring systems to see how MC Box, Cube MC and iPETRO Link sit alongside each other, since some operators end up running more than one across different parts of the same site.
What to Buy
If you already have a working pump and meter and just need to control who dispenses fuel, the MC Box is the lower-cost route. View Product
If you're building a new dispensing point and want pump, meter, hose and access control in one cabinet, go with the Cube 70 MC for standard fleets, or the 90 L/min MC-F if you're running more than 50 regular users through the same bowser.
If your priority is remote tank visibility across depots rather than dispensing control, the iPETRO Link Gateway paired with a hydrostatic level transmitter is the right fit, particularly on sites already using a PETRO Industrial self-bunded tank.
For a full picture of how these fit against your existing pumps and nozzles, check the full range of nozzles and confirm compatibility before ordering.
Need help choosing the right setup? Contact the PIUSI Shop team or call 1300 987 789 for advice on matching a fuel management system to your site.
FAQ
What's the difference between MC Box and Cube MC?
MC Box is a standalone controller you add to existing pumps and meters, supporting up to 80 users on 100-240V AC. Cube MC is a complete cabinet with a 70 L/min pump, K33 meter, hose and A120 nozzle already built in, supporting 50 users out of the box.
Can iPETRO Link replace MC Box or Cube MC?
No. iPETRO Link Gateway monitors tank stock levels remotely via cloud connection and doesn't control dispensing access at all, so it works alongside an access control system rather than instead of one.
Does Cube MC require a separate meter?
No, the Cube 70 MC includes a K33 meter as part of the cabinet. If you need higher flow, the MC-F variant rated at 90 L/min pairs with a K44 meter for higher-volume sites.
How many users can MC Box handle?
The Compact Agilis C model supports up to 80 individual users via manager and user keys, with transaction data downloadable through the PIUSI software kit for reporting.
Do I need a PETRO Industrial tank to use iPETRO Link Gateway?
You need a tank fitted for a hydrostatic level transmitter, which most PETRO Industrial self-bunded tanks support. The bulk fuel storage tank can be any design or style. Check compatibility before ordering the gateway if you're retrofitting an existing tank rather than installing a new one.