Bell Articulated Tractors meeting the Needs of Agriculture in Africa
South Africa, in common with many other countries on the African continent, is highly dependent upon its local agricultural industry to meet both its domestic requirements and the demands of the export market. Given the semi-arid nature of the land and its age that as left it low on certain nutrients, in order to provide an adequate yield, farms are frequently required to be much larger and are often far more remotely situated than farms in other parts of the world.
In order to cope with these conditions, any vehicles or machinery that may be required needs to be exceptionally tough and highly dependable. To many of today’s farmers, these are specifications that have become the cornerstones of just a single brand name – Bell – and, with it, the articulated tractors, cane loaders, haulers, and related products for which this world-class manufacturer is widely famed.
Strength and reliability are obviously prime requirements of any equipment that is to be used for purposes such as these, but these are not the only important design considerations. To the individuals who are tasked daily with operating these machines over rugged and uneven terrains, often for many hours at a time, a comfortable ride is likely to prove every bit as important. With more than half a century to get things just right, this is yet another area in which this iconic manufacturer has managed to excel.
A nitrogen-over-oil, semi-independent suspension system is the mechanism that is responsible for the exceptional level of driver comfort that is a common feature of all models in the Bell range of articulated tractors. This, however, is just one of the many factors that, together, have contributed to the widely acknowledged, best-in-class off-road abilities of these vehicles.
Consisting of seven models; the 2304E, 2806E, 4206D, B35D, B40D, B45D, and the B50D, the first three on the list provide the user with 160, 205 and 315 kW of gross power and 810, 1100, and 2000 N.m gross torque respectively. At the entry level, the 2304E features a 4,8-litre Mercedes-Benz engine, manual drive transmission with 1 reverse gear and 6 forward gears with which to propel the vehicle to its maximum speed of 50 km/h in top gear. The model 4206D is an articulated scraper tractor and, as such, is suited to various tasks within the construction industry.
With their ability to handle rough terrain and steep gradients, Bell articulated tractors have long been the preferred choice of many farmers both in Africa and in many other parts of the globe. While there is no doubting their inherently rugged construction and reliable performance under challenging conditions, all machines are subject to wear and tear. To ensure that any downtime resulting from component failure or routine maintenance is minimal, Kanu Equipment, the company responsible for the supply and distribution of these vehicles and similar equipment, has established an unsurpassed support network.
Locally and in ten African countries including Botswana and Zimbabwe, Kanu offers technical support, servicing, spares and accessories to owners and users of Bell articulated tractorsand other equipment for use in the agricultural, mining, forestry, and construction sectors.
