Tom Blackwell take UK’s first Bell E-series ADTs

Bell B30E articulated dumptrucks prove a success for Essex-based contractor and plant hire firm 

TOM Blackwell, the Essex-based contracting and plant hire firm, have become the first UK company to invest in the new E-series articulated dumptrucks (ADTs) from Bell Equipment.

Representing the next generation in ADT design and technology, Bell say the E-series presents an evolution that builds upon the proven legacy of the successful D-series, in order to deliver production-boosting payloads, lower daily operating costs, superior ride quality and uncompromised safety standards.

Prime reasons for the selection of two Bell B30E ADTs by Tom Blackwell included the machines’ fuel efficiency and the E-series’ in-board oil-immersed brakes.

Tom Blackwell are long-standing customers of Bell Equipment and currently operate eight Bell D-series models as part of their 20-strong ADT fleet. When the company needed two new ADTs for a specific quarrying project for a customer, it was eager to opt for the E-series.

The first of the E-series models has already been put to work, moving overburden to expose sand and gravel, and the in-board braking system used by the E-series has impressed the company. ‘Sand and gravel can be very abrasive on conventional brakes, and we see in-board as the way forward for ADT braking,’ explained Sam Ratcliffe, contract manager at Tom Blackwell.

Tom Blackwell have also paid close attention to the fuel efficiency of the E-series using Bell Fleetm@tic fleet management system. ‘Fleetm@tic is a fantastic management tool and has long been a major selling point for us, as it allows us to see usage patterns for ongoing evaluation of each machine’s performance,’ said Mr Ratcliffe.

Fleetm@tic data confirms that the D-series ADTs used by Tom Blackwell have set a high standard. ‘Bell outperforms other brands in our fleet every day of the month. The printouts from the trucks show there is no comparison in terms of the cost per tonne, and Bell machines are easier on our tyres as well, compared with other brands.’

Tom Blackwell are delighted that the E-series has matched, and even bettered, these results.  ‘The E-series is outperforming non-Bell models on fuel efficiency, and the payload is up slightly compared with our experience of using the D-series,’ continued Mr Ratcliffe.

Another aspect of the E-series that has proven popular is its redesigned cab, which offers a greatly enhanced ride and improved ergonomics thanks to a full-colour display, reduced noise levels and better interfacing with the truck’s management systems.

‘All in all, the E-series represents the ideal balance between existing Bell engineering that we know to be highly efficient, allied to new-generation technology that helps the operator to get even more out of the machine,’ concluded Mr Ratcliffe.

‘This is exactly what distinguishes the E-series,’ added Nick Learoyd, manager director of Bell Equipment UK. ‘The E stands for evolution. Rather than a revolutionary clean-sheet design, we’ve stuck to our design principles and combined the proven qualities of our D-series with the latest developments of the exceptional Bell ADT engineering team in South Africa.’

Two E-series ADTs are available – the 25-tonne B25E and 30-tonne B30E – alongside the existing D-series models, the 35-tonne B35D, 40-tonne B40D and 50-tonne B50D.