Bell Equipment, with its head office in Richards Bay, South Africa (pictured), celebrates 70 years in business at Hillhead 2024.

To mark its seventieth anniversary and forty years as an Articulated Dump Truck (ADT) manufacturer, Bell Equipment is going full throttle at Hillhead 2024 where its latest innovation, an autonomous B40E Articulated Dump Truck (ADT), will operate in a live quarry demonstration.

The first autonomous ADT in the UK, a Bell B40E belonging to Chepstow Plant International (CPI) that was introduced in March 2024, will be demonstrated in the Hillhead quarry.

According to Bell Equipment Product Manager, Brad Castle, the B40E is the same machine that Bell UK customer, Chepstow Plant International (CPI) has been using at Sibelco’s china-clay Cornwood Quarry in Devon since March 2024, when it was launched as the first autonomous ADT in the UK.

“We’re excited to be able to demonstrate our autonomous ADT at Hillhead and will also have a static display so visitors can see exactly how the hardware is incorporated into the machine,” he said. Hardware is supplied by technology platform specialists, xtonomy, and includes robust radar sensors, high-precision GPS, multi-channel communication systems, and on-board processing hardware to create a drive-by-wire B40E solution.

“We’re pleased by how our autonomous ADTs have enhanced operational efficiencies on the sites where they are working by being able to operate for longer periods, deliver really accurate tipping results, and improve productivity.”

Bell Equipment Product Manager, Brad Castle.

Further benefits associated with autonomous trucks include extended component life, reduced wear and tear, and environmental advantages due to improved fuel efficiency from enhanced operational efficiencies. “CPI’s autonomous B40E takes environmental benefits a step further by using HVO fuel instead of diesel, making the machine almost 'carbon neutral,' which is a significant achievement in the current quarrying and mining industry,” said Brad.

“Autonomous ADTs also improve site safety as borne out by our two Bell B30E 6x6 test trucks, which have achieved over 1 000 hours of safe autonomous operation in a quarry in the Austrian Alps, without any incidents.”

When choosing to operate a Bell ADT autonomously, customers have the choice of third-party suppliers and the level of autonomy they want to achieve. In this regard, Brad said: “Along with xtonomy and Pronto AI, we have recently started working with UK company, ABD Solutions, and Steer, a Norwegian company supplying autonomous haulage solutions for quarries and mines, as well as with American-based Teleo, which is working on a remote-control conversion of a Bell ADT.”

Along with xtonomy and Pronto AI, Bell has started working with UK company, ABD Solutions, and Norwegian company, Steer, to supply autonomous haulage solutions, as well as with American-based Teleo, which is working on a remote-control conversion of a Bell ADT.

Meanwhile, in addition to the autonomous control benefits experienced on a German demo site, the B30E 4x4 demonstrates the advantages that can be achieved with a 4x4. “Our 4x4 range of ADTs have full articulation and oscillation steering so all four driving wheels are kept on the ground to utilise the traction that’s available. This makes them more capable off-road than conventional rigid trucks. The double axle also results in tighter turning circle for greater manoeuvrability and prevents tyre scuffing, reducing road maintenance costs.”

Bell Equipment’s niche 4x4 range will be represented at Hillhead by the B45E 4x4, which is ideally suited to quarrying and smaller mining operations. “Like the other models in the 4x4 range, the B45E 4x4 has the same payload as the 6x6 model and features full suspension for improved ride comfort. It also has the option of a narrower bin for sites with width restrictions,” said Brad.

Bell Equipment’s niche 4x4 ADT range will be represented at Hillhead by the B45E 4x4, which is ideally suited to quarrying and smaller mining operations.

Other machines on display at Hillhead 2024 include the EU-marked Bell B30E 27 000-litre Water Tanker, geared for dust suppression duties on mines and construction sites, and the Bell Tracked Carrier, a robust solution for short-haul applications in soft underfoot conditions.

Bell Tracked Carriers are CE-marked and available in two models, the 7-ton TC7A (left) and the larger 11-ton TC11A.

The Bell B30E 27 000-litre Water Tanker is built on the robust chassis of the acclaimed Bell B30E Articulated Dump Truck and carries the CE-mark.

Contact UK:

Bell Equipment U.K.
Unit 6 C, Graycar Business Park,
Barton-Under-Needwood,
Burton-on-Trent
DE13 8EN
United Kingdom
Phone: +44 (0) 1283 712862;
E-mail: ukgeneral@bellequipment.com
https://www.bellequipment.com/miningconstruction/en-GB