Bell Equipment UK has launched its own advanced payload system (APS) as an additional option on its entire range of wheeled loaders.

The move has been designed to help customers improve their operating efficiency by providing extremely accurate payload data.

The Bell-branded system can be easily added as a "plug and play" option to any Bell loader for customers who want more information than that provided by the existing embedded payload system (EPS), which is factory-fitted as standard on all machines.

Neville Paynter, Managing Director of Bell Equipment UK, said: "Production costs are continually increasing, so we wanted to help our customers do what they can to improve efficiency.

"It is part of our on-going commitment to helping operators improve their bottom line. Bell already provides the highest standard specification wheeled loaders on the market, and this addition will ensure our customers continue to have access to the most advanced technology in the industry."

The new payload system enables target load input, multiple material measurements, multiple attachment calibration, batch loading data where the operator mixes materials, and recall and subtract of last bucket load, which can help counteract one-off errors. The system is available with an optional printer and data download facility. The upgrade uses an additional monitor in the cab, with a clear display featuring large numbers and easy-to-use press-button input functions.

Bell's new APS is also much less expensive to buy than a third-party system, primarily because Bell's high-specification machines already have most of the required components built in as standard, including sensors and harnesses.

Bell Equipment UK offers a range of seven wheeled loaders, from the utility class L1204E, L1506E, L1706E and L1806E, to the larger production models, the L2106E, L2606E and L2706E.

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Its general purpose, utility machines are designed to be used in a multitude of applications. Bell specifically opted to provide the highest standard specification on the market in order to maximise the potential applications for every single machine it sells.

The customer base for the utility machines is focused primarily on plant hire, often with existing Bell ADT users, so the machines need to have features which will allow them to operate efficiently on any site. The cab configuration, controls and maintenance access are also designed to ensure the machines are extremely easy to operate.

Bell wheeled loaders, which are all fitted with John Deere PowerTech engines, are unique in the UK not only in terms of their standard specification, but also because of the QuadCool cooling system, which also comes as standard.

The QuadCool system places the wide-core radiator, transmission, axle, hydraulic and air-to-air coolers in a separate compartment to the engine. The individual mounting of wide-core radiators on Bell’s loader range eliminates debris collection in between radiators, which is common in other manufacturers’ machines. The system is perfect for dusty environments.

With Bell's E-Series loaders, steel access panels have fine mesh screens to filter cooling air as it enters the QuadCool system. The holes in the screen are substantially smaller than the wide-core radiators, so any debris drawn in passes straight through the system, thus extending intervals between cleaning – and increasing up-time. The fins per square inch on the Bell wide-core radiators are significantly less than those of other manufacturers, which greatly reduces the chance of debris build up.

The QuadCool system is also set up to provide the best maintenance access in the industry to all radiators, with panels allowing access to both sides of each radiator for easy, quick and thorough cleaning.

Included "as standard" in the QuadCool system is the automatic reversing fan, which automatically reverses the air flow for 30 seconds at intervals determined by the operator, depending on the site conditions. This blows any accumulated debris away from the radiators, maintaining cooling efficiency and increasing productive times by further reducing the need for cleaning.

In addition, QuadCool features a proportional fan speed, which operates independently to the engine. When compared with a more common engine-driven fan, the benefits of the Bell system include reduced noise levels, increased fuel economy due to the reduced drain on the engine, and lower operating costs.

Görrel is one major operator that has been impressed with the Bell loaders, having invested around £2m in 12 machines after successful demos at a wood recycling plant.

Bell has also designed its loaders with particular focus on health and safety, both for the operator and service/maintenance technicians.

Depending on the customer's requirements, Bell loaders can be fitted with belly guards, cab screen guards, solid rubber tyres, high-lift arms and high-tip buckets. The high-lift arms, which can comfortably load high-sided trucks and hoppers can also have quick-hitch attachments to enable the swift changing of buckets for materials of different weight and compaction. The cab has a heated air-suspended seat, adjustable steering column, high visibility, multi-function LCD monitor and sealed switch module (SSM).

(CD/GK)