Product category:
Power Tools
News Release from: Bell Equipment UK | Subject: Tracked scraper tractors
Edited by the Buildingtalk Editorial
Team on 29 June 2006
Revolutionary industrial tracked scraper
tractors
Articulated dump truck specialist Bell Equipment UK has broken new ground with the introduction of its revolutionary industrial tracked scraper tractors to the UK.
Bell Equipment UK has broken new ground with the introduction of its revolutionary industrial tracked scraper tractors to the UK E.ON UK, the company that runs Powergen, has become the first operator in the UK to take delivery of two of Bell's triangular-tracked 4206D industrial scraper tractors at Kingsnorth power station, in Kent
This article was originally published on Buildingtalk on 29 Jun 2006 at 8.00am (UK)
Related stories
Bell UK reaps rewards from Scotplant exhibition
Bell opted to use Scotplant 2006 to relaunch its range of excavators to the Scottish marketplace and to gain a stronger foothold for its mid-range ADTs.
Ben Bennett digs in deeper with Bell ADTs
Fast response times from Bell Equipment UK has left a Derbyshire quarry manager in no doubt when it comes to replacing his articulated dump trucks.
Even in the few weeks since the machines were brought on site, E.ON UK has already seen its fuel bills slashed in half for that part of its operation.
Bell's scrapers are being used to haul about 2.5 million tonnes of coal annually between the shipyard at Hoo St Werburgh, near Rochester, and the adjacent power station.
The machines, which are a brand new product line in Europe, are around half the price of traditional coal scrapers, and E.ON UK is benefiting from Bell's five-year maintenance programme, which the power company claims is one-third of the cost of Bell's competitors.
Further reading
Greater automation for second generation Bell ADTs
Bell Equipment UK has announced the launch of its second generation D-series range of articulated dump trucks.
Biggest Bell user in the Midlands gets bigger
Bell Equipment UK's biggest customer in the Midlands has added another five Bell articulated dump trucks to its hire fleet.
Bell Equipment at Peter Stevens
Peter Stevens Dumptruck Hire has broken with tradition by bringing two new Bell B30D ADTs into its 50-plus fleet, which up until now has been dominated by Volvo.
E.ON UK has also seen a marked increase in job applications from driver-operators who are keen to enjoy the superior ride comfort these new machines provide.
Added to that, the appearance of the tractors is turning a few heads at the coal-fired plant.
Bob Aldridge, sales and marketing manager for Bell Equipment UK, said: "The machines not only look very impressive on those tracks, they are also operating extremely effectively.
"We are very much trying to change some perceptions with this machine in the UK.
There's definitely a niche market there in the power station industry and we hope to capitalize further in this area".
Clive Burfoot, fuel and ash services team leader at Kingsnorth power station, said: "It was a big risk to take on something that had not been tried before in the UK - but it's a risk that appears to have paid off.
"The machine uses far less fuel than anything we've previously used, and it's got lower emissions and noise than anything else, which is better for the environment.
"The machines are presently working beyond expectations and their use has sparked interest from coal stations all over Europe".
Mr Burfoot added: "What's also great is that the drivers are in a nice sealed environment with air conditioning, music and loads of room.
Since they came on site I've had more drivers apply to work here than ever before".
The 4206D industrial tractor and twin scraper pan units haul an average of 30 tonnes of coal each trip between the shipyard and the power station's fuel stockpile - a round-trip of about 600 metres.
The innovation behind the industrial tractors and their respective twin scraper pan units means that each machine operates from only one power point, as opposed to twin engines on other similar products, thereby cutting fuel consumption.
And the unique design enables both scraper units to load consecutively in one single action.
The industrial tractor's triangular tracks, a cross between conventional wheels and tracks, have been developed to give the machine superior stability and load-bearing qualities over awkward or unstable terrain.
The Bell 4206D industrial tractor offers a versatility with both track or wheel options.
Bell Equipment is unique in that it manufactures and supplies the world's only 50-tonne articulated dump truck.
It is also market leader in the supply of 40-tonne ADTs in the UK.
• Bell Equipment UK: contact details and other news
• Email this article to a colleague
• Register for the free Buildingtalk email newsletter
• Buildingtalk Home Page
Search the Pro-Talk network of sites
