Bell launch Mark VI ADT range in UK

Bell Equipment UK have launched the latest major upgrade to their range of D-Series articulated dumptrucks in a move which, they say, is set to provide another industry benchmark in terms of innovation and technology.

With the focus largely on health and safety, electronic enhancements and machine security, key Mark VI upgrades include:    

• keyless start to protect machines from theft
• new-generation Fleetm@tic fleet-management system
• reduced noise levels due to new hydraulic damper and enhanced cab insulation
• improved driver controls with fully sealed switch module
• automatic park brake selection when in neutral
• improved maintenance access
• an inclinometer which measures the angle of the machine and cross-references with Bell’s on-board weighing system to improve driver safety
• Comfort Ride option available on larger models
• individual driver ID to allow site managers to identify potential training requirements.

The first Mark VI machines in the UK have recently been delivered to CA Blackwell, who ordered eight 30-tonne B30D machines for their fleet. The Mark VI range is expected to be Bell’s final D-Series upgrade before it launches a new E-Series range in the next few years.

Stephen Jones, Bell’s ADT product marketing manager, said the Mark VI upgrade was part of the company’s strategic evolutionary approach to product development. This approach is designed to ensure that upgrades determined by customer feedback and changing market conditions are filtered through to the manufacturing process with minimal delay, rather than waiting until sufficient changes are in place to justify a new ‘series’ launch.

The latest upgrades include the advent of Bell’s ‘Comfort Ride’ option, which is available on the B30D, B35D and B50D models. The system utilizes a fully reactive hydraulic suspension on the front axle and a simple but highly effective double-stage sandwich block system on the rear axle. The front suspension continually monitors and reacts to road conditions while the mechanical system on the rear improves the ride while the truck is unladen.

‘A 66% improvement in operator whole-body vibration exposure levels measured for the total cycle was achieved during on-site testing,’ said Mr Jones. ‘On long, bumpy hauls greater comfort allows the operator to travel faster, particularly while unladen, which leads to significantly reduced cycle times and increased productivity.’

Linked to driver comfort is noise reduction, the levels of which have been further reduced thanks to focused changes including a new headliner, hydraulic damper and additional strategically placed insulation in the cab.

The most visible changes to the ADT in terms of the Mark VI upgrade can be found in the cab, where the gear selection and bin-tip lever are now incorporated into a fully sealed switch module. Another innovative additions in this area is the keyless start feature, which is now standard on all Bell ADTs.

The keyless start can be protected by a numerical code with automatic expiry, giving site management greater control of who can operate which vehicles and when. In addition, the keyless engine stop includes a standard turbo spin-down feature to regulate spin-down time according to how hard the engine has been working.

‘Safety features are becoming increasingly important in the marketplace and our engineers have incorporated industry-leading improvements to the Mark VI ADTs,’ said Mr Jones. ‘For example, the park brake application is automatic when selecting neutral, and neutral cannot be selected at speed.’

He added that most of the latest changes were simple yet highly effective. Examples of this include the ‘hill assist’ feature, whereby the inclinometer measures the angle of the vehicle and cross-references this with the vehicle’s on-board weighing feature. Bell believe they are the only manufacturer to offer this feature to customers.

‘The beauty of this feature is that the park brake will only be released once a pre-programmed engine torque has been reached to ensure a controlled pull away with no rollback, even on the steepest of inclines,’ explained Mr Jones.

Similarly, the machine angle and payload are cross-referenced on pull-away, so that if the vehicle is unladen and on relatively flat terrain it will automatically pull away in second gear. Apart from guaranteeing a smooth pull-away and shifting, this feature is said to save fuel by cutting out the unnecessary shift from first to second gear.

Moreover, the roll detector can also be used on site to set limits for when the bin tip function can be activated. If the vehicle is sitting at an angle where lifting the bin might cause instability, the software will prevent the bin from tipping and the operator will be warned of the potentially dangerous action on the display monitor. Customers can set up the limiting angle for site-specific conditions.

Other new features aimed at safer operation include the option to activate an automatic horn, which will sound when changing between drive and reverse, as well as when the payload has been reached during loading. As a preventative measure, customers can also now choose to have the vehicle automatically enter a ‘limp home’ mode if it is significantly overloaded. This will limit the ADT’s speed to ensure safety but still allow the vehicle to finish the haul cycle.

Coupled to the electronic innovations are enhancements to Bell Equipment’s global fleet tracking system, Fleetm@tic. With the second-generation Fleetm@tic system, Bell say they are the first heavy equipment OEM to offer their customers a fully global remote fleet-management system with pole-to-pole coverage.

Fleetm@tic manager Philip Nel said the benefits of the new system included the introduction of a unique driver identification allowing customers to create an individual ID for each driver. The ID is recorded and appears on Fleetm@tic reports with a driver scoring rate to assist customers in identifying drivers who may need more training.

In addition, for the first time, Bell are providing their Fleetm@tic Standard version with all Mark VI machine purchases, although customers have the option to upgrade to the Max or Max Plus versions.

Meanwhile, along with the standard features of the Mark VI upgrade, customers are also able to choose from a variety of new safety-focused options including tyre pressure monitoring, reverse cameras, lock-out kits and full ISO handrails.

Bell Equipment UK, Graycar Business Park, Barton Turns, Barton-under-Needwood, Burton-upon-Trent, Staffordshire DE13 8EN; tel: +44(0)1283 712862; fax: +44 (0)1283 712687.