Cat Pumps Houston, Texas Manufacturing Facility

Houston, TX hosts Caterpillar’s 100,000 square foot well stimulation pump factory. Within this factory Cat® power ends, fluid ends, and valves and seats are not only assembled, packaged, and shipped, but also tested under full horsepower.

Before final assembly, four sub-assemblies take place. In the first, frames are inspected, cleaned, and prepared for the line. The second focuses on drivetrain and the installation of roller bearings. The connecting rod system is completed in the third sub-assembly and, finally, the crankshaft bearing housings are installed in the fourth.

The assembly process includes autofrettage, a technique that creates residual stress inside fluid ends with high pressure. The result? Extended life of the fluid end.

Since Caterpillar puts focus on durability and quality of product, completion of assembly leads to full load testing featuring a 3,000 horsepower variable speed drive connected to a Cat TH55-E70, allowing the testing to reach full rod load.