Production of the highly anticipated Bell Motor Grader range has started in the company’s Richards Bay factory with the first units ready for sale in August for Stage 3 developing markets. The launch of the product line is a significant milestone for the South African manufacturing industry and a testament to Bell’s innovation and listening to customers’ needs.
According to Bell Equipment Product Manager, Jeremiah Mokhomo, the company has drawn upon its 70 years of design and manufacturing experience and spent years of expensive research and development to ensure that Bell Graders are able to demonstrate their capabilities in a variety of demanding applications.
Highlighting the Grader’s robust design and reliability, he says: “Grading applications demand a powerful and dependable machine that can consistently deliver precision and efficiency. Our new Bell Motor Graders have been rigorously tested to ensure they meet the highest industry expectations. We are confident that they will compare favourably with established industry leaders.”
A versatile product for international markets
The Bell Motor Grader range consists of three base models, each available in either a 4WD or 6WD configuration. The G140 is well suited to all maintenance and light to medium construction tasks. The G160, with its increased power and performance, is designed to handle heavy construction applications, while the G200 is designed for bulk earthworks and the mining industry.
In addition to these three models, Bell will start production with the G140 ECO – the base spec unit for the G140 – which is well suited to public sector opportunities, lighter construction or agricultural applications.
Mokhomo explains: “From the outset, we factored in the requirements of a six-wheel drive configuration. This early integration, as opposed to trying to add it to the platform later, has resulted in a better-performing, more controllable, and robust machine that is easier to maintain. The significant improvement in performance achieved by adding front-wheel drive is only useful if it is reliable for the life of the grader, so we have invested time to make sure this is the case.”
Bell Motor Graders are powered by Cummins engines paired with ZF transmissions. The Bell G140 is fitted with a 6.7l Cummins engine and ZF ERGOPOWER transmission while the larger G160 and G200 are driven by a 9l Cummins engine with the ZF cPOWER transmission.
Mokhomo says: “The Cummins engines are known for their quiet operation, fuel efficiency, low maintenance, and reliability, and they met our expectations during testing. Additionally, these engines are Stage 3A certified, do not require exhaust gas recirculation (EGR), and are compatible with both hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) and B20 biodiesel. Stage 5 Graders will be launched in time and will meet the EU and USA emission regulations.
“The ERGOPOWER transmission is well respected in the grading application for entry-level units and we’re particularly excited about the hydro-mechanical transmissions in the larger models, which are new for the industry and are performing exceptionally well for us in heavier duty applications.
“The Bell Grader is a truly global product, engineered to meet different international emission standards and operator control preferences. We’ve had interest from both local and international markets, with a significant number of enquiries coming through, several of which have already been converted into firm orders, which is a promising indication of market confidence in the product and readiness for another premium grader option in the market.”
The South African launch will be three-pronged and includes a demo day that was held in Cape Town during the Mining Indaba, a KwaZulu-Natal event in Ballito in June, which focused on construction and agriculture customers, and a Gauteng launch in July for construction and mining customers in that region and Bell’s African dealers.
Built for the toughest challenges
Drawing on over two decades of experience in the supply, maintenance, and repair of motor graders, along with insights from industry experts, Bell Equipment has developed a clear view of what is important to make this product work. While retaining familiar controls and layouts, the Bell Motor Grader incorporates a range of advanced components and features that will help operators to improve productivity, accuracy, maintain costs, and deliver work efficiently.
As Bell has achieved success with its ability to intelligently automate specific functions within the ADT industry, automation also played a key role in the Motor Grader design process. This automation allows the operator to focus on precision grading while benefiting from improved fuel efficiency and extended component life.
Recognised 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 allows extended service intervals and consistent grading performance without the need to make regular adjustments. To further simplify operations, advanced diagnostics are incorporated into the machine to reduce the complexity of daily checks and servicing.
Utilising industry-leading components for all systems has been instrumental in achieving an efficient and robust machine. “Getting established components to work well together is what our system engineers do well, and in a highly operator-sensitive product like a motor grader, we knew that we had to get the overall feel 100% right.”
Importantly, Bell Equipment’s focus on durability across all structures ensures that the Bell Grader’s gooseneck main frame – engineered as a single piece construction to eliminate fatigue on fabricated joints will give maximum confidence in hard applications. In addition, the tandem axle, with enhanced bearing life and interaxle cooling, provides reliable performance in long-haul applications.
Proven performance in real-world applications
Bell Equipment’s test and pre-production demo graders have been operating with great success in a wide variety of applications, from landscaping, heavy ripping, and final levels to overall road construction. “It has been really pleasing to see the improvements in efficiency and performance identified during the design stage being confirmed on real-world job sites.
“The launch of this motor grader range is more than just a product release, it’s a statement of Bell Equipment’s commitment to local manufacturing investment, customer support, and long-term value. These machines are built in Africa, for Africa, and we’re confident they will set a new benchmark in performance, reliability, and operator satisfaction across the region,” says Mokhomo.
