South African earthmoving equipment manufacturer and supplier Bell Equipment has successfully taken delivery of 55 new backhoe loaders, imported from multinational JC Bamford (JCB), in India, this month.

Most of the JCB 3CX backhoe loaders have already been allocated to locally based Bell Equipment clients, and were delivered fully fabricated, with little to no assembly required, to the Bell Equipment Sales South Africa head office in Jetpark, Johannesburg.

“Owing to the experience and standards that both JCB and Bell have garnered over the years, the order and delivery were completed without any challenges,” says Bell Equipment South Africa sales and marketing head Darren Holder.

He adds that Bell clients that have run the previous models of 3CX units, then made in the UK, have been impressed with the new loaders’ features, build quality and machine performance.

The lead time between placing an order from South Africa and the delivery of the JCB 3CX backhoe is about four months; however, Bell Equipment intends to ensure it has sufficient stock on the ground to meet client expectations at any time.

“Bell aims to hold safety stock of nearly 100 units at any one time, over and above our forecast sales,” Holder says.

Better Than Before

Holder posits that the new 3CX backhoe range offers substantial improvements on Bell’s previous models and clients are eager to take delivery of the new machines.

With the 3CX, 3CX Plus and 3CX Pro models, clients can choose the JCB backhoe loader that best suits project demands.

The 3CX is a versatile choice, with a 55 kW engine, auto transmission across the range, and manual backhoe controls.

“Should the client need more power, the JCB 3CX Plus features a powerful 68 kW engine and additional cab features, such as the new heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system (HVAC),” adds Holder.

Further, for “unparalleled performance”, the JCB 3CX Pro offers the “ultimate” specifications, with seat-mounted servo controls as standard for optimum machine controllability and ease of use. The redesigned cab provides significantly more space, while the new HVAC system and its fully adjustable vents creates a comfortable operating environment.

Two new liquid crystal display screens provide the operator with clear, real-time information, including machine health, travel speed and gear selection.

Further advancements include increased hydraulic flow to the new hammer and bidirectional auxiliary circuits, which enable the 3CX to use a wider range of attachments, while an optional extending dipper increases the digging range.

In terms of advertising and promoting the new range, Bell has used numerous platforms and has exhibited the units at various shows around the country.

“Bell will also be holding three customer launch days around the country, and we encourage our clients to look out for these during August and September,” Holder concludes.