Peter Stevens endorses Bell wheel loaders with new deal

26 November, 2010

Peter Stevens Dumptruck Hire have taken delivery of three new E-Series wheel loaders from Bell Equipment UK.

The deal represents a full endorsement of the relatively new Bell wheel loaders by one of the first UK companies to buy one following their launch in late 2008.

Peter Stevens originally purchased a smaller production-class model, a Bell L2106E, and have now added to that with another L2106E and two larger L2606E loaders.

The decision to buy Bell loaders follows successful performance from the Cumbria-based plant-hire firm’s very first Bell articulated dumptrucks – two 30-tonne B30Ds, delivered in April 2008. Peter Stevens have purchased another Bell ADT, a B25D, earlier this year.

Bell’s after-sales support, which now forms part of the rebranded Bell Assure package of customer benefits and guarantees, was one of the key reasons for the hire firm’s venture into additional Bell wheel loaders, according to Peter Stevens director Andrew Stevens.

‘We already run a large fleet of wheel loaders, and were looking to add to it. Bell have supported us extremely well since we bought our first Bell ADTs, and we liked what we saw with the loaders.’

He said that a major selling point was the fact that the Bell loaders were manufactured to Bell UK specifications by John Deere in the US.

‘To have such a pedigree and heritage as John Deere speaks volumes, and suggests Bell must be doing something right with their loaders. Since we’ve taken delivery of the Bell loaders, we’ve been getting good feedback from our customers. They’ve particularly mentioned how nice they are to operate,’ said Mr Stevens.

The Bell E-Series wheel loader range, which consists of seven utility and production class loaders, received its first full public showcase at Hillhead 2010, despite being launched as a product in October 2008.

Neville Paynter, managing director of Bell Equipment UK, said: ‘The cancellation of Hillhead in 2009 due to the economic climate meant we were unable to roll-out the new loaders to the market in the way that we originally planned.

‘But we’ve been very busy conducting numerous highly successful customer demos over the past two years and so the word is quickly spreading that Bell wheel loaders are first-rate machines that can compete with the very best in the industry.’

All machines across the range are available with Z-bar linkage configurations and high-lift arms, while the L1204E, L1506E, L1706E and L1806E utility class loaders are also available with parallel linkage and Quick-Attach.

The loaders all have Tier 3 John Deere PowerTech engines, designed for large capacity and high torque, and Bell have introduced the QuadCool system, which greatly reduces the intake of airborne debris and thus increases uptime and reduces maintenance.

Bell say they offer a higher specification range of standard features on all loaders than any other manufacturer. These standard features include:

Ride control
reverse radar object detection
reverse camera
on-board weighing system
automatic reversing fan
deluxe heated seat with twin armrests and seat-mounted controls
keyless start with security access codes
QuadCool system with wide-core radiators
automatic engine idle and shutdown
full fender mud guards
4,000h hydraulic filter services.

Also, the advanced solid-state electronics provide hugely simplified electrical systems. Operators will see a major improvement over competitor machines in terms of cab environment, with the comfortable, heated air-suspended seat configuration, high visibility and multi-function LCD monitor and sealed switch module (SSM).

Bell Equipment UK, Graycar Business Park, Barton Turns, Barton-under-Needwood, Burton-upon-Trent DE13 8EN; tel: (01283) 712862; fax: (01283) 712687