With Bell Equipment’s test and prototype graders already operating in several applications – from landscaping to heavy ripping and road construction – production of the company’s new range is due to commence as early as the third quarter of 2024.
“Grading applications require a robust and powerful grader to achieve the performance and reliability expectations of the industry,” stated Bell Equipment Product Manager, Warren Swart, who added that, “We’ve been encouraged by the positive feedback we’ve received from expert advisors and operators who have experienced our prototype machines. We’re excited to introduce the Bell Motor Grader and illustrate some of the advances we’ve made to a complicated piece of equipment.”
Following the introduction of the Bell Equipment tracked carrier in 2020 and marking a significant step towards growing the company’s range of products within the global construction and mining industry, the new line of graders will include the G140, which is designed for all maintenance and light- to medium-construction tasks.
Meanwhile, the G160 model has been developed to handle heavy construction applications while the G200 – the largest grader in the new range – is designed for bulk earthworks and mining. Each grader in the range has been designed to operate through a four- or six-wheel drive configuration, which has resulted in a more controllable and robust machine.
“The significant improvement in performance achieved by adding front-wheel drive is only useful if it is reliable for the life of the grader, so we have spent a lot of time making sure this is the case,” said Swart.
Furthermore, Bell Equipment has incorporated a range of advanced high-quality and low-maintenance components to improve productivity, maintain costs, and deliver work more efficiently. Automated functions will serve to improve fuel efficiency and component life expectancy, while fully sealed circle bearing will provide the motor graders extended service intervals and consistent grading performance. Additionally, advanced diagnostics will reduce the complexity of servicing efforts.
The Bell graders will be fitted with industry-leading components, with engines provided by engine production company, Cummins, while engineering company, ZF, will provide the new range with transmissions. The G140 will use the ZF Ergopower transmission while the larger G160 and G200 will use the company’s cPower transmission.
“The Ergopower transmission is well-respected in the grading application for entry level units, and we are particularly excited about the opportunity that the cPower transmission provides for higher duty applications,” Swart said, adding that, “There will be significant advancements that we can offer users of the two larger graders by having a transmission that can be so easily tailored to a customer’s needs.”
Designed as international products and able to meet various emissions regulations in international markets while adhering to different types of operator controls, Bell Equipment will launch its new range in South Africa before launching the motor graders into the company’s various international markets in a staged approach.
“Over the years we have spent time growing our international dealer network with our market-leading articulated dumptruck range and these dealers are just as excited to see an additional product from an [original equipment manufacturer] with a proven track record in delivering innovation, performance, low running costs, and maximum reliability. Bell Equipment’s ability to focus on the operator experience and install built-in asset protection are well demonstrated and particularly key to the owners of graders,” Swart concluded.
