Saudi Arabia relies on Caterpillar irrigation power to support its agricultural development in one of the world’s largest deserts. Having a climate that can vary from 110 degrees F in the summer to below freezing in the winter means water is a precious commodity in Saudi Arabia.

In the 1970s the Ministry of Agriculture launched an extensive programme to promote modern farming technology.  Part of the plan was improving irrigation networks and Caterpillar power was selected to tap into the country’s vast underground water reservoirs.  Called aquifers, they are a major source of water and the ministry is drilling tens of thousands of deep tube wells to bring the water to the surface for urban and agricultural use.
“Cat engines have a long history of reliable performance in Saudi Arabia,” said Mike Reinhart, Caterpillar marketing manager.  “Our local Jeddah dealer Zahid Tractor and Heavy Machinery Company has been assisting the ministry and local farmers in increasing irrigation for more than 20 years.  The dealer has pioneered a standard irrigation power unit for customers in Saudi Arabia that currently incorporates long-standing Cat engines such as the Cat 3406C, he added.
The irrigation units are available with a Cat C7 ACERT, C9 ACERT, C12 ACERT, C15 ACERT or C18 ACERT.  (ACERT technology is an emissions management technology that incorporates four basic systems: air management, precision combustion, advanced electronics and effective after-treatment).
All power units (future and existing) incorporate not only the engine, but also the clutch and irrigator/pump.  The dealer assembles the package for each customer.
Small and large farms are utilising the Cat irrigation power units to draw necessary power from the ground.  Each well typically incorporates one power unit, smaller farms have one or two wells, larger farms have more.
Regardless of the size of the farm or the number of wells, the Cat irrigation power units operate in the same way, continuously working to provide water to crops 24 hours a day.
“Maintenance issues haven’t been much of a concern, according to the dealer, in part because the dealer continually conducts a series of training seminars on maintenance issues.  Zahid customers are also familiar with Cat engines and their reliable reputation,” said Mike.