Modern Quarrying Q3 2018

The B30E 4x4 offers important cost advantages for those operations that do not necessarily require the superior off-road capability offered by the 6x6 configuration

Thanks to the 4x4 drivetrain, the Bell B30E 4x4 can still safely operate in more challenging conditions than conventional rigid trucks, tippers and truck-trailer combinations.

Having one less axle means no tyre scuffing, which results in reduced tyre wear compared with a 6x6 configuration in hard ground applications

Not only does the tyre scuff compromise tyre life, it also damages the road surface, and therefore, the two-axle ADT reduces site maintenance requirements

KEY BENEFITS

idea is to provide a truck that moves the same payload and same material, but significantly lowering the cost per tonne in targeted applications. By removing the third axle, tyre scuffing is eliminated and parasitic losses are reduced. This reduces both fuel and tyre running costs, ultimately providing lower cost per tonne of material moved,” explains Castle. The B30E 4x4 shares the same 240 kW Mercedes-Benz engine, six-gear Allison automatic transmission with integrated automatic retarder and a comprehensive package of productivity, safety and ease of operation features, as the conventional B30E 6x6. The features are based on real-time data collection by the truck’s sensors (onboard weighing, pitch/roll sensor, among others) and are controlled by embedded software in the truck con- troller. The brakes are a full wet brake sys- tem, which offers reduced maintenance with the rear axle inheriting the large wet brake unit of the B40E. Several benefits The front tyres are typical 23.5R25, whereas the heavier loaded 36-t rear axle uses 29.5R25 tyres, commonly found on the 40 t ADTs. With its oscil- lation joint providing a permanent point of contact of all wheels, and a well-balanced load distribution – empty 50:50; laden 33:66 – the 21,5-tonne Bell B30E 4x4 is said to proven itself to be far superior than rigid tippers have truck-trailers at undulating load and dump areas or in wet conditions. Thanks to the 4x4 drivetrain, the Bell B30E 4x4 can still safely operate in more challenging conditions than conventional

offers sound all-weather characteristics on undulating haulage roads and light terrain, thus making it a better fit than tra- ditional RDTs and truck-trailer combina- tions in applications where poor weather conditions can cause work stoppages due to safety consideration or necessitate more site maintenance,” explains Castle. In terms of applications, it is suited for small to medium-sized quarries with integrated aggregate production facili- ties. It also finds application in specific jobs where turning radius is a principal consideration, such as tunnelling. The solution also provides better manoeu- vrability in confined materials handling areas or stock yards. B30E 4x4 in detail The new two-axle truck is based on the 6x6 model B30E and shares the same front chassis and oscillation/articulation joint. “The B30E comes with a standard front end like the conventional B30E, but we have reconfigured the rear end to allow us to use drivetrain components similar to those found on our B40E 6X6 which allows us to forgo the middle axle,” explains Castle. With an identical payload to that of the B30E 6x6, of 28 000 kg, the major differ- ences are the shorter rear chassis with a solidly mounted Bell 36-t axle and the newly-designed 18,6 m 2 bin. Compared with that of the three axle B30E, the B30E 4x4’s outer turning circle diameter is 1,3 m smaller (at 14,6 m), which makes manoeuvring in narrow loading or tipping spaces easier and faster. “The payload remains the same as that of the conventional B30E 6x6, and the

I n a world where total cost of ownership is the difference between profitability and per tonne of their assets. With that in mind, Bell Equipment is further revolutionising the articulated hauler industry with its two-axle, B30E 4x4 solution that offers important cost advantages for operations that do not necessarily require the superior off-road capability of the 6x6 configuration. According to Brad Castle, Product Marketing Manager at Bell Equipment, the B30E 4x4 is a supplement to the company’s traditional 6x6 ADT range, providing an alternative to rigid dump trucks (RDTs) and tipper trucks. “While not possessing the same off-road capabilities of a 6x6, the B30E 4x4 still stagnation for quarry operators, they keep a keen eye on the cost

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QUARTER 3 - 2018 MODERN QUARRYING