Bell Equipment may appear to be taking a retro-step with the launch of its new Bell Series III Haulage Tractors, but the company is simply following its tried and tested philosophy of listening to its customers and providing them with the lowest cost per ton equipment solutions to meet their operating needs.

This is according to Bell Equipment Product Marketing Manager: Sugar and Forestry Products, Tim Beningfield, who says the new range will be known as Africa Tractors, because they have been built in Africa for harsh African conditions. “Some of our customers believed the higher specifications of the Series II range didn’t offer any value to their particular operations so we’ve taken the best features of the Series I and Series II ranges and developed the new Africa Tractors. In essence we’ve gone back to the basics to deliver to the market a robust, purpose-built haulage workhorse, which is strong and reliable as well as simple in design for easy maintenance and longevity. Yet those customers who want the bells and whistles still have the opportunity to include them on their Tractors as optional extras.”

Bell Equipment believes the reason the company designed purpose built haulage tractors in the first place is still valid today – there are simply no viable modifications one can make to agricultural tractors to equip them for the demands of long term heavy haulage work.  Beningfield explains: “The differences remain – a Bell hauler has a full length steel chassis to endure shock loads.  Compare that to the agricultural tractor’s bolted together cast iron construction, sometimes with an add-on piece to strengthen the join between the front and rear halves. In recognising that braking capacity is critical to safety and productivity, Bell features large capacity outboard drum brakes with massive heat handling capability. Most agricultural tractors have in-board brakes that are less efficient in dealing with the heat build-up generated under heavy use, sometimes resulting in lumps of carbon found in the housing at oil change time.

“In addition, the superior performance and endurance of the fully automatic Allison haulage transmission has been a Bell hallmark since the first Bell tractor rolled off the line back in 1977. Quite simply, from the over-size steering kingpins to the sturdy and stable forward of axle centre line hydraulic hitch point, Bell tractors are built ground up for haulage,” he says.

Aesthetically the Africa Tractors look tough and ready for business with all-steel bonnet and mudguard construction for greater robustness and easier repair and maintenance. The cab is ROPS/FOPS certified but the construction and ergonomics have been simplified. Inside, the dash has also been tailored down to offer only warning lights and essential instrumentation.

Under the bonnet are the latest generation of air-cooled Deutz engines for freedom of radiators and related maintenance. The 904A and 904AF, 2 x 4 and 4 x 4 models respectively, will both be fitted with the 70kW (90hp) four-cylinder Deutz engine. The 1216A and 1216AF, together with the larger 1716A and 1716AF will feature six–cylinder engines producing 100kW (120hp) and 125kW (170hp) respectively.

“What is truly revolutionary with the Africa tractors is for the first time customers can get a true built for haulage machine at little or no premium, cost per kilowatt wise, over a farm tractor. On a cost per ton basis Bell has a big advantage so from here out there is no good reason to use anything else for haulage,” said Beningfield.

The six models in the Africa Tractor range will be introduced to the market in a phased approach starting in September 2010 with the 904AF and the 1216AF. The 904A and the 1216A are scheduled to enter the market in December 2010 while the larger 1716AF and 1716A are due to be launched during the second quarter of 2011.

Tel:     +27 11 928 9700
E-mail: bellparts@bell.co.za  /  usedparts@bell.co.za
Web:   www.bellequipment.com