Bell B20E ADT launched in the UK
Bell Equipment fill void in market with introduction of 20-tonne articulated dumptruck to UK customers
BELL Equipment have announced the UK release of their acclaimed B20E 6x6 articulated dumptruck, a highly durable 20-tonne truck designed for ease of operation and high productivity.
Physically smaller than the internationally successful B25E and B30E models, this latest addition to the Bell family is being presented to the UK market as a vehicle with comparable capabilities to its larger stablemates, but packaged within a more compact unit, making it particularly suitable for use on small- to medium-size sites.
This Tier-4 truck will provide plant hire companies, in particular, with the opportunity to bring a compact, high-spec ADT to their fleets, while also allowing existing Bell operators to standardize their fleets and offer a full range of machines from 20 tonnes to 60 tonnes, from one manufacturer.
As with all Bell E-series machines, the B20E benefits from safety, performance and the latest Bell Fleetm@tic on-board data technologies, as well as ongoing support and maintenance services.
‘The 20-tonne market is renowned for being niche in the UK,’ said Bell Equipment sales manager Richard Higgott. ‘Therefore, customers have comparatively little choice when it comes to purchasing a smaller, yet highly powerful vehicle.
‘However, that’s not to say there isn’t the demand for manoeuvrable, capable 6x6 machines that come into their own in low ground pressure applications.’
Although smaller in size, the B20E offers a very similar power-to-weight ratio to other Bell ADTs, providing the optimum balance between performance and fuel consumption. For example, the B20E can produce the same power-to-weight ratio as the Bell B30E (5.11kW/tonne).
The vehicle is fitted with wet brakes to offer sealed protection against deep mud, and customers can also alternate between standard 20.5R25 earthmoving tyres or low-profile, extra-wide 800/45 R30.5 tyres, designed to offer significantly reduced ground pressure and market-leading flotation in excessively muddy or soft sandy underfoot conditions.
The B20E boasts a turning circle of 3.7m, with 800mm wide tyres, and ground pressure as low as 95kPa, whilst the load-over height of 2.5m allows the ADT’s bin to be filled using various loading tools.
Having already sold all the B20Es planned for UK sale during 2017, Mr Higgott is confident that demand for the latest Bell addition will be strong, and he confirmed that owing to the initial sales success, Bell have plans to increase production quantities towards the end of the year, so are continuing to take new orders.
‘The B20E is making its mark as far as sales are concerned, a factor we attribute to the model’s ability to fill a definite void in the market,’ he commented. ‘Bell have long been a key ‘20-tonne’ competitor within southern Africa and have experienced considerable demand for their B20Es in high-production environments. This success has triggered the company’s decision to make the 20-tonne size ADT available to other countries around the world.
‘Now, UK customers with specialist needs will be able to not only secure a hard-working, reliable and powerful ADT, with true 6x6 capabilities, a driven rear axle and emissions-compliant Mercedes Benz engine, but also benefit from the exceptional Bell specification, such as on-board weighing, Tip Safe, Neutral Park Brake, Downhill Speed Control, Hill Hold and Bell Equipment’s proprietary satellite-based fleet-management system, Fleetm@tic,’ said Mr Higgott.
