Since adding four Bell B30E 4×4 articulated dump trucks (ADTs) to its operation, construction materials miner and producer Afrimat has noted an immediate and sustained impact on production at its Lyttleton dolomite mine, says quarry fleet manager Jon Gunter.

Since their arrival, the quarry’s hauling cycle times shortened while carrying the same loads as 6×6 ADTs, which, on average, is 28 t.

“The B30Es have comfortably shaved off one minute on a ten-minute cycle,” he adds.

The selection of the B30E 4×4 was primarily driven by its operational advantages in quarrying environments. With a marginally shorter chassis length, balanced by a wider bin body and the absence of a centre axle, the Bell Equipment B30E 4×4 ADT can handle tight quarry turns much more effectively than the older 6×6, three-axle models, explains Gunter.

Eliminating the middle axle in the 4×4 ADT reduces road scuffing, which, in turn, contributes to longer tyre life and reduced wear on the haul roads and equipment components.

Gunter adds that another key observation from the outset of adopting the B30E 4×4 ADTs was their fuel efficiency, which directly contributes to a lower cost for every tonne of material moved.

“The shorter, squarer bin of the 4×4 ADT is easier to load, and to achieve the maximum payload compared to the longer, narrower bin of a 6X6 ADT,” says Bell Equipment original-equipment manufacturer (OEM) product manager Brad Castle.

Bell Equipment produces trucks that can accommodate Level 9 proximity detection systems (PDS) and collision avoidance systems (CAS) without modification, aligning with the increasingly strict health and safety requirements of the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources.

As a result, owners of Bell Equipment ADTs can upgrade their trucks to incorporate the latest PDS and CAS technologies to meet current regulations and enhance safety for equipment operators, pedestrians and other mobile equipment on site, he says.

Castle says Bell Equipment was the first OEM to introduce Level 9 CAS-ready ADTs, achieving PDS Level 9 readiness with its more cost-effective proprietary interface system, compared to other competitors where retrofit-ability may be challenging.

As a technology-agnostic provider, he adds that the company offers clients the flexibility to select a PDS/CAS solution that best fits their operational needs and budget.

“These solutions can be installed on new Bell ADTs that are PDS/CAS-ready, or retrofitted onto older Bell ADTs with our compatible PDS kits,” adds Castle.

Truck Adaptability

Bell Equipment’s current E-series of ADTs, now entering a mature and stable phase of roll-out, is certified to operate on hydrotreated vegetable oil [HVO] fuel,” says Castle.

Running an ADT on HVO provides significant environmental and operational benefits, as it immediately reduces life-cycle greenhouse-gas emissions by up to 90%, as it is derived from 100% renewable biological feedstocks.

The HVO functionality requires no engine modifications or fleet downtime.

Bell Equipment can also integrate multiple autonomous equipment control systems on its ADTs, with products actively deployed across various operations in the northern hemisphere for the time being, including quarries.

Going forward, Castle says Bell Equipment’s primary product research and development efforts are focused on developing “the next- generation ADT” to align with evolving regulatory compliance requirements.

Key areas of focus include adapting to upcoming engine emissions regulations and exploring alternative fuels and energy sources to support a zero-carbon future for mining equipment.