Alfred McAlpine choose Bell B50 ADTs
While such an application is considered tried and tested in Bell Equipment’s South African homeland, the use of ADTs in place of rigid haul trucks in intensive quarry applications has, until now, been largely unknown territory for UK operators.
However, with demand for slate increasing and production rising by almost 20% each year, Alfred McAlpine were looking to recover greater volumes of material from their Penrhyn slate quarry in North Wales. This meant finding a haul truck that could offer more traction to allow the use of shorter, steeper haul roads as well as maintaining a similar payload capability.
A comparative trial with a 50-ton Bell B50D operating alongside the site’s existing fleet of 60-tonne rigid dumptrucks resulted in the company opting for a fleet of seven B50Ds.
George Crompton, managing director of Alfred McAlpine’s Asset Management business, which supplies the plant and equipment used at Penrhyn, said: ‘We were impressed by the capability of the Bell truck and also the use of volume-manufactured components that are easy to source.
‘The quarry operates a 100-hour week, with us providing the guarantee of 96% availability for the trucks over their five-year working period with Alfred McAlpine Slate. We share Bell’s confidence in both their product and the firm’s ability to help us to keep our slate business reaching its productivity targets.’
The Bell B50D utilizes CANbus wiring technology to allow complete integration of its electronic components, including Fleetm@tic, Bell Equipment’s on-board weighing and performance-monitoring system, which measures loads via strain gauges on the rear axles.
According to Mr Crompton, the on-board weighing and performance-monitoring equipment should provide Alfred McAlpine Slate with the productivity data needed to increase their margins.
The system’s functionality can be extended with a satellite connection, allowing operators to carry out remote monitoring of their trucks from the office, rather than collecting data manually on-site at the end of each working shift.
After using the Bell B50D ADTs for three months, Alfred McAlpine Slate’s managing director, Chris Law, reported that fuel burn had been significantly reduced, while productivity had been maintained. He added that his operators were pleased with the level of comfort, operational flexibility and ease of use of the Bell trucks.
‘Given the level of slate recovery achieved, it is vital that we know we can get total commitment from our machinery suppliers to maintain maximum productivity from our plant. This was another reason why we chose to use Bell,’ he said.
Bell Equipment UK, Unit 6 C, Graycar Business park, Barton-Under-Needwood, Burton-on-Trent DE13 8EN; Tel: (01283) 712862; Fax: (01283) 712687.
