UK first for German-produced Bell B50D

PLANT hire firm Hydrex Equipment have taken delivery of the UK’s first Bell 50-tonne articulated dumptruck to roll off the production line in Germany.

The delivery follows a decision by Bell Equipment’s main factory in South Africa to transfer the assembly of all B50Ds destined for the European market to its state-of-the-art plant in Eisenach, Germany.

The move is designed to reduce lead times across Europe in response to the growing demand for larger ADTs in the northern hemisphere. Until now, Bell’s flagship B50D model has been built solely at Richard’s Bay, in South Africa, and shipped to Europe.

Bristol-based Hydrex, who operate a fleet of more than 100 Bell ADTs, have become the first UK customer to receive a German-produced model. The machine is currently operating at Tarmac’s Stancombe Quarry, near Bristol.

Keith Darch, business development director at Hydrex, said: ‘We’ve enjoyed a great relationship with Bell over the years, so I’m delighted to be the recipient of such a landmark machine. The fact that Bell is striving to improve its service to European cu

The B50D being produced in Germany is an upgraded version of the ‘Generation 2’ model, complete with I-Tip function, pre-fitted Fleetm@tic management system capability, improved driver comfort, and what the company claims is still the most fuel-efficient

Neville Paynter, managing director of Bell Equipment UK, described the delivery of the first B50D from Germany as ‘a significant milestone in Bell’s ongoing drive to provide the best service and support possible to our customers’.

Bell Equipment say the UK currently represents more than 50% of the entire European market for Bell B50D ADTs.