Aggregate extraction and processing company, Longwater Gravel, has announced the purchase of its first Bell Equipment machine, a B30E ADT which has hit the ground running and already proved its capabilities to the Norfolk-based specialist supplier of high-quality aggregate materials.

With a need to keep three quarries successfully operating throughout the Norfolk area, Longwater Gravel depends on the reliable function of powerful aggregate tipper vehicles with the ability to consistently perform.

In the past, the company has met its operation’s vehicular needs by purchasing pre-owned, off-highway dump trucks. However, recently it found the need to acquire a used truck at a crucial time couldn’t be achieved due to lack of machine availability in the busy current market.

“The shortage of suitable pre-owned trucks naturally led us to look for a new, but highly appropriate ADT solution,” says Will Littleboy, managing director at Longwater Gravel.

“To find the right machine for the job, we chose to test drive demo versions of both a new machine, manufactured by our usual supplier of pre-owned trucks, alongside, for the first time, a Bell Equipment ADT.”

Will explains that he’d been talking with Bell Equipment about the ADT options open to him for some time, and that he’d heard promising reports regarding Bell from other industry associates. With his pending need to discover what the market had to offer, he felt the moment was right to put a demo model B30E through its paces:

“We ran the two manufacturer’s demo machines side-by-side in the quarry, with the task of carting stone along a half mile haul to our processing plant. The exercise showed the Bell to be unquestionably superior in a number of ways:

“The operator comfort and drivability were of notable merit; factors that matter to us, as when our drivers are physically supported at the wheel and find controlling the vehicle an enjoyable experience, they’re more gratified in their role, and consequently feel greater ownership towards the truck.

“Then, there’s the Bell ADT’s onboard tech, which couldn’t fail to impress. Its weighing systems not only heightened safety onsite, but also helped to encourage efficiencies. And, with the inclusion of floatation tyres, we soon found that we were demoing a vehicle with the reach to not only perform gravel moving duties, but competently fulfil restoration work when a quarry requires skilful refilling; thus, making the Bell B30E a multi-purpose machine.”

Will makes reference to the B30E’s option to feature Bridgestone extra wide, low ground pressure tyres that better displace the machine’s force and prevent underfoot conditions from becoming too compacted, so ground drainage is improved within refilled quarry environments:

“After considering the many advantages the test model had to offer, we bit the bullet and opted to buy a new B30E for the business, complete with onboard weighing and SafeTip systems, as well as the low ground pressure tyres.

“We haven’t looked back since, and have found the machine to be more reliable than anything we’ve used before. It gives improved pull and our operator thinks it’s great; comfortable, quiet and capable, proving itself to be a machine that makes his life easier.”

When asked if he’d contemplate buying with Bell again in the future, Will reveals that he’s already considering his next machine purchase.

“Our B30E represents excellent value for money, and the model is proving itself comparable to machines manufactured by high-end competitors in terms of capability,” he says. “We’re very pleased with our decision and have just ordered another B30E for delivery before the end of the year!”