Bell Contracting has placed one of the first major fleet orders for JCB’s 140X crawler excavator models as part of a major investment in 25 JCB new machines.
The Gloucestershire-based groundworks and civil engineering specialist has purchased 12 of the new 14-tonne X Series models in addition to six cabbed site dumpers and seven Loadall telescopic handlers in a deal worth nearly £2 million.
The JCB 140X, along with its 131X and 150X stablemates, is aimed squarely at ground working specialists and like the existing 20-22-tonne JCB X Series models launched last year – they are more productive, durable, quieter, more comfortable and easier to use than their predecessors.
Bell Contracting ordered the new 14-tonne models, supplied by dealer Holt JCB, based on the excellent performance of the JCB 220X machines it already operates. The machines are intended for use on a range of applications including sewers, roads, attenuation and foundations projects as part of the company’s extensive work in the housebuilding sector.
Bell Contracting Managing Director, Peter Bell said: “In order to best serve our customers, we always aim to be first to market with the latest plant and equipment. That’s why we have invested so heavily in the new 140X models. Given the excellent, fault-free, performance of our existing larger JCB X Series excavators we have full confidence in these new machines which share the same qualities.”
“We also strive to be at the forefront of health and safety in the construction industry and that drove our decision to buy six of the nine-tonne JCB cabbed site dumpers. The impact they have had on site has been significant. They provide a safer method of soil management and improved operating conditions. We have designated drivers which gives greater kudos to the role of site dumper operation and the machines are better looked after. They have spearheaded a culture change on our site operations where superior equipment and technology has helped create a greater employee proposition.
“We choose JCB for the trust we have in the equipment, the strength of the brand and the residual values they achieve. We have a superb relationship with our dealer. It’s a great partnership.”
The 9T-1 machines purchased by Bell Contracting are part of JCB’s line-up of one to nine-tonne capacity site dumpers, designed and built in-house. Leading an industry-wide focus on forward tipping dumpers, the range takes site dumper safety to a previously unachievable level. They are compliant with the latest safety legislation, including ISO 5006:2017 and boast the JCB SiTESAFE cab. This ROPS/FOPS Level II cab features a reinforced frame and impact protective front screen.
Each machine is equipped with a front camera to increase visibility, along with a sequenced drive-inhibit system to ensure that operators are correctly seated and secure before driving. Each also benefits from a manufacturer-backed two-year warranty and all-steel construction.
