Incorporating safety features such as hill start assist and vertical tip angle safety monitoring, Bell’s E-series articulated dump trucks (ADTs)are equipped with on-board load weighing and keyless start as standard. For more safety and productivity, the E-series has an automatic inter-axle differential lock, giving the vehicle full automatic traction control.
The first Bell B30E ADTs to call Australia home were purchased by regional Victorian aggregate producer Mawsons Concrete & Quarries and Queensland heavy machine plant hire specialist Pipeline Plant Hire. The advantages of these ADTs have therefore been tested in assorted worksite applications.
“Safety is our number one priority,” Darren Colville, the quarry manager at Mawsons’ Lake Boga Quarry, said. “The Bell truck delivers above and beyond when it comes to safety features, with everything from reverse camera and mirror package to on-board inclinometer and weighing system.
“The on-board weighing scale is a standout, particularly as we operate in a hard rock quarry. The three accelerometers and external load lights improve load accuracy and prevent overloading. This helps us maximise productivity and reduce our maintenance costs such as tyre and driveline wear.”
According to Hitachi Construction Machinery Australia, which distributes the B30E ADTs on behalf of Bell Equipment, the advanced emissions technology of the E-series provides rapid engine response and dependable cold-start performance, faster haul cycles and improved fuel efficiency. These elements translate into a truck that moves more material at a lower cost per tonne, for maximum productivity and profitability.
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“At Lake Boga we prefer to operate articulated trucks due to bench width requirements,” Colville said. “These trucks allow us to extract more from the quarry. Bell’s design makes it easy for our operators when manoeuvring in and out of the pit. They enjoy the comfortable cabin and smooth ride.”
Pipeline Plant Hire has had three B30E ADTs working in Queensland’s Biloela-Gladstone region as part of the major Santos GLNG project. They hauled material such as topsoil used for restoration and remediation purposes along the pipeline route.
Craig Carson, the general manager for Pipeline Plant Hire, said the company decided to purchase the B30Es because it is “constantly looking to introduce innovative technology into our industry”.
“From a safety perspective, the hill start assist and auto-park application are a real advantage,” he said. “Our operators are impressed with the visibility achieved via the advanced camera technology and mirror package, alongside cabin comfort, improved steering and manoeuvrability.”
The feedback from Colville and Carson echoes praise for a vehicle that is being touted as an evolution in ADT technology.
Source: Hitachi Construction Machinery (Australia)