Major achievement for Bell B40D ADT
Two-year-old machine owned by Alf Kitching Ltd hauls more than 1 million tonnes of limestone
NORTH Lincolnshire-based Alf Kitching have announced that their Bell Equipment B40D articulated dumptruck (ADT), which purchased just two years ago at Hillhead 2016, has now hauled more than 1 million tonnes of limestone.
The ADT started work in September 2016 and has since clocked up 5,000h. For the last 15 months the machine has been put through its paces at Singleton Birch’s Melton Ross Quarries, in Barnetby, hauling blasted limestone and averaging an output in the region of 130,000 tonnes of stone every month.
‘Having decided to research the advantages of Bell machines after agreeing to seek out a new ADT supplier, we examined the B40D’s spec,’ said Paul Kitching, managing director of Alf Kitching.
‘Since signing on the line we haven’t looked back, as all the features that attracted us to the model in the first instance have really come into their own within the quarry environment.’
A key feature of the machine that Mr Kitching has been impressed with is the B40D’s onboard weighing system, which has helped to deliver monitorable results for the plant hire firm and its clients.
The Bell machine was also chosen on the back of its high-performance capabilities and efficient Mercedes-Benz engine, which complies with latest EU emission standards.
‘The B40D has proved itself to be a high achiever,’ commented Mr Kitching. ‘It has kept performing when conditions have become challenging and has served to deliver the lowest cost per tonne for our clients.’
The B40D unit has been supplied with Bell Equipment’s service agreement, which ensures that the truck receives a programme of preventative maintenance every 500h.
Alf Kitching have been so impressed with the Bell ADT that they are considering which other models to invest in. ‘We’ve recently trialled both a Bell B50E and B60E to see which model best suits our needs moving forward,’ said Mr Kitching.
Nick Learoyd, managing director of Bell Equipment UK, commented: ‘We’re delighted that Alf Kitching’s B40D has achieved its impressive million-tonne milestone, and the fact that they are considering the purchase of a further Bell machine is a true testament of confidence in our products’ capabilities, brand and customer service.’
