April 2023

This is part of Bell’s strategy to grow its own range of manufactured product for the global market.

Designed to meet the emerging needs of the grader industry, Bell Equipment has expanded its mining and construction OEM product range to include motor graders. With several units running in diversified applications, production has been set to begin as early as Q3 2024.

The Bell Motor Grader follows the introduction of the Bell Tracked Carrier in 2020 and is a significant step forward in the company’s strategy to grow its own range of manufactured product for the global construction and mining industries.

Bell will initially offer three base machines. The G140 is well suited to all maintenance and light to medium construction tasks while the G160, with its increased power and performance, is designed to handle heavy construction applications. Completing the range is the G200, which is designed for bulk earthworks and the mining industry.

Each base machine has the option of a four- or six-wheel drive configuration. The Bell Grader has been designed as a truly international product with the capability to meet varying emission regulations in international markets as well as different types of operator controls. The South African launch of this product is only the start of an exciting journey. Bell will be launching graders into its various international markets in a staged approach.

Automation has been one of the significant drivers in the motor grader design process to allow the operator to be more focused on the job at hand and the final product of his grade while still improving fuel efficiency and component life expectancy.

Recognising the diverse range of applications and often remote uses of motor graders, Bell has standardised on high-quality, low-maintenance components, such as a fully sealed circle bearing. This provides extended service intervals and consistent grading performance without the need to make regular adjustments. To simplify operations further, advanced diagnostics are incorporated into the machine to reduce the complexity of daily checks and servicing efforts.

The Bell Graders are fitted with Cummins engines and ZF transmissions. The G140 uses the Ergopower transmission while the larger G160 and G200 use the cPower transmission. The Ergopower transmission is well respected in the grading application for entry level units and the cPower transmission provides for higher duty applications.

The Bell design team also focused on providing long-term durability across all structures. According to the results of strain gauge testing, the main frame will provide a life expectance exceeding market norms by 40%. The tandem axle, with enhanced bearing and interaxle cooling, provides reliable performance in long-haul applications.

Bell Equipment’s test and prototype graders have already been operating with great success in a wide variety of applications from landscaping through heavy ripping and final levels to overall road construction. Source

The tracked attachment carrier has a robust design to tackle the most demanding jobs.

The first SEPPI M. self-propelled tracked vehicle to be used in the agricultural, forestry and municipal sectors is now available. It can be used for mulching steep slopes, maintaining water channels, clearing under power lines, right-of-way (ROW) maintenance, working on and around farmland, cleaning forests, maintaining roads and trails, and much more.

SEPPI M. offers a tracked vehicle with a robust design to tackle the most demanding jobs. Behind the ergonomic design there is sophisticated technology: the MAX 50 le has a powerful engine and good handling. The vehicle, with its 49 hp (36 kW) engine, has sufficient power thanks to the industrial-grade Perkins 3-cylinder STAGE V turbodiesel engine. Separate hydraulic systems of four pumps ensure independent functional control of the track and of the tool in all situations.

The stability and grip of the vehicle are guaranteed even on difficult terrain thanks to the optimally positioned centre of gravity. The track can be widened by 25 cm (10 in) on each side, for a total of 181 cm (71 in) width, and the vehicle will therefore be able to tackle vertical and horizontal gradients of up to 55°.

The wide tracked undercarriage ensures stable and reactive vehicle movements, both uphill and when crossing wide and irregular slopes. Its distinctive feature is the radio control. It is equipped with a graphic display that monitors all functions, statuses, and any anomalies. The frequency range is 2.4 GHz and covers distances of up to 160 metres (175 yd).

The individual tracks are tensioned by a hydraulic system, which regulates the tension according to the conditions of the ground and prevents the track from striping or breaking. The high traction tracks have a high profile to ensure excellent stability and grip on slopes up to 55° in optimal conditions.

The radio-controlled tracked carrier is now available in the version with MICROFORST rc radio-controlled forestry mulcher, and in the future, it will also be available with a stone/soil crusher MICROSOIL rc or a flail mulcher for grass and light brush. Source

It provides an all-round view and an ergonomic control layout.

The new lateral topseat focuses on the operator and addresses their specific needs and requirements to handle a tough working day. The result is a customer-specific solution offering a well thought-out solution, with an all-round view and an ergonomic control layout to create a future-oriented workplace. The main features of the new control system are as follows:

• Comfortable suspended lateral topseat: The ergonomically shaped, comfortable lateral topseat made by Grammer - a high quality manufacturer - provides a secure hold and a direct view of the work area. On cold days, the heated seat guarantees a pleasant experience, while the horizontal and vertical suspension takes the load off the spine for fatigue-free crane operation.
• Safe ascent & descent: The wide and slip-resistant ladder allows safe access to the Comfort Drive, and the angled design enables entry to the steps from any parking position. Handles and handrails provide a permanent grip for safe ascent and descent.
• Pilot control: Using the hydraulic pilot controls allows the crane to be operated sensitively, directly and smoothly. Controlling the stabiliser from the side seat enables safe operation thanks to the excellent overview. The load-sensing and dual-circuit hydraulic valves are neatly installed on the side seat. A smooth working day is therefore guaranteed, and the new Comfort Drive side seat is also a visual highlight.
• Protected from the wind and weather: (An optional feature). The mechanically actuated operator protection hood offers enhanced safety and comfort. Durability is ensured by the robust and solid steel frame. The replaceable, tinted polycarbonate panels guarantee an unobstructed all-round view of the work area. The mechanically actuated operator protection hood can be safely manipulated from the ladder. In the parked position, the roof protects seat and control against dirt, wet and damage.
• 360° LED lighting: (An optional feature). Seven floodlights outputting 3000 lumens each mounted on the side seat to completely illuminate 360° of the work area. Now working in the dark is not only more productive, safety has also been enhanced. Source

To see the full list of conferences and exhibitions, please click on "Events" in the menu at the top of the page.

Remembering Waratah Founder David Cochrane

David Cochrane, 77, founder of the Waratah Group, passed away in early April. A true visionary, Cochrane started Waratah General Engineering Ltd. in Tokoroa, New Zealand, in 1973 with the development of a mechanized processing head designed to withstand New Zealand and North American logging conditions. He was recognized world-wide as an industry-leading forestry equipment innovator who created the foundation of what Waratah is today. Source

Bandit continues to expand to meet demand

Bandit Industries, Inc. celebrated the acquisition of a facility in Mount Pleasant with a ribbon cutting ceremony on April 5th. This facility formerly owned by Burch Tank is situated on twenty-four acres with 60,000 square feet of manufacturing space. Current state of this location includes Bandit’s electrical team, consisting of wiring harnesses for all Bandit products. Components for the whole tree chipper and horizontal grinder product lines also are produced at this new location. Future plans include moving the rebuild department from the main headquarters. Source

Compact wheel loader market continues to expand, now including electric

Since the introduction of the first Case F Series compact wheel loaders in 2014, the market has grown significantly and Case has continued to innovate the product category. The expansion now includes the new electrified CL36EV electrified compact wheel loader, and enhancements to its compact wheel loader line. The CL36EV compact wheel loader is designed to deliver all the benefits of electrification in a machine with a small footprint that will excel in applications such as supply yards, large-scale building renovations and construction where indoor operation may be required, and any other operation that may require less noise and no emissions. The dynamic compact loader will help simplify maintenance and lower lifetime total cost of ownership through the elimination of the diesel engine. Source

It is now easier to classify stems based on considerations.

With this feature, individual stems can be visualized with stem codes based on, for example, biodiversity considerations. The feature provides operator support and makes it easier to make good decisions.

Stem coding allows the operator to classify individual trees based on the premises that apply to the object. In addition to “high stumps”, the operator can select “future tree” or “tree group” to view saved trees. The position of the coded trees is stored in Maxifleet, and they are clearly marked in the map of the object. The new feature makes it easier to follow directives, such as distances between future trees.

Maxifleet can also, based on previously coded trees, provide support for where the operator should cut a high stump or save a tree. The system can also show when it is time to save a future tree, which makes it easier for the operator. It is also possible to track the number of high stumps made, so that the operator does not need to keep track of that.

In addition to making the operator’s work easier, the visualization of stem codes helps to report that the job has been completed correctly based on the forest owner's assignment. Source

“Hierarchical Task Analysis (HTA) for Application Research on Operator Work Practices and the Design of Training and Support Systems for Forestry Harvester”

Forests 2023, 14, 424. Dreger, F.A.; Englund, M.; Hartsch, F.; Wagner, T.; Jaeger, D.; Björheden, R.; Rinkenauer, G. Source

“Planning methods and decision support systems in vehicle routing problems for timber transportation: a review”

International Journal of Forest Engineering, 2022. Jean-François Audy, Mikael Rönnqvist, Sophie D’Amours & Ala-Eddine Yahiaoui. Source

“Characterizing cable-logging enterprises in Italy: production, workforce, equipment and potential for growth”

International Journal of Forest Engineering, 2022. Raffaele Spinelli, Natascia Magagnotti & Giulio Cosola. Source

“Influence of Saw Chain Type and Wood Species on the Mass Concentration of Airborne Wood Dust during Cross-Cutting”

Forests 2023, 13 (12). Dado, M.; Kučera, M.; Salva, J.; Hnilica, R.; Hýrošová, T. Source

The 5710E is particularly suited for land clearing operations or other applications where mobility is desired.

The horizontal grinder is equipped with several features designed to improve efficiency and help operators reduce material handling costs.  The 5710E features a larger rotor that can accommodate a greater number of grinding bits. The new rotor is 8% larger and 19% heavier than the previous model. More mass means more grinding power. To keep up with this improved power, the screening area has also been increased, to allow for greater throughput. Additionally, the grate change process has been simplified. 

 While weight and size have been increased where it counts, the machine is lighter overall. In the redesign process, Astec examined how to maximize efficiency and simplicity at each stage of the grinding process. This included from the rotor to the screens, and even in the new compression roll cylinders, which offer better downforce to help process material as it is fed to the rotor. Source