Bell Graders: Impressing operators with precision performance

• Bell Equipment is launching a new range of Motor Graders in 2025, designed for high productivity and precision control.

• The range includes three models: G140 for maintenance and light construction, G160 for heavy construction, and G200 for bulk earthworks and mining.

• Powered by Cummins engines and ZF transmissions, the graders offer fuel efficiency, low maintenance, and compatibility with HVO and B20 biodiesel.

• The machines feature advanced automation, high-quality components, and extended service intervals to enhance productivity and reduce maintenance.

• Bell Equipment's global rollout will start in Africa, South America, and Southeast Asia, followed by North America and Europe.

The new Bell Motor Grader range, which is launching in the developing market in 2025, will be shown at Bauma. The new machines have been designed to deliver a high productivity and precision accurate control with superior operator station ergonomics and visibility. The product marks a major milestone in the company’s strategy to expand its line of OEM manufactured equipment for the global construction and mining industries.

With over 70 years of design and manufacturing experience, Bell Equipment has developed a motor grader that meets the evolving needs of the industry. Production is set to begin in Q3 2025 for Stage 3 markets and follows years of extensive research and development where test and prototype units have demonstrated their capabilities in a variety of demanding applications.

Bell Equipment Product Manager, Jeremiah Mokhomo highlights the Grader’s robust design and reliability: “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.”

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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, which will be on display at Bauma, 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.

Jeremiah 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. 

Jeremiah 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. The staged global rollout will commence in Africa, South America and Southeast Asia followed by North America and Europe later.” He continues: “Over many years, we have spent time growing our international dealer network with our market-leading Articulated Dump Truck range, and these dealers are eager to see an additional product from an OEM with a proven track record in delivering innovation, performance, low running costs, and maximum reliability.”

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.

“We’ve been encouraged by the positive feedback we’ve received from expert advisers and operators who have experienced our pre-production machines. We’re excited to introduce the Bell Motor Grader and illustrate some of the advances we’ve made to a complicated piece of equipment,” said Jeremiah.

“Our order book for the developing market is filling up and we invite Bauma visitors to call on us so we can walk you through the machine’s innovative key features,” he concludes.