The executive mayor of the Knysna Local Municipality, Cllr Georlene Wolmarans (top centre) cuts through the ribbon on the new Bell 315SK 4×4 TLB. Also pictured are (from left): Bruce Ndlela (Bell Equipment director: Public Sector), Shaun Maree (manager: Roads and Public Works), Cllr Esmé Edge (deputy mayor) and Cllr Peter Myers.

Bell Equipment has delivered a new Bell 315SK 4×4 tractor loader backhoe to the Knysna Municipality in the Western Cape Province of South Africa. “We are pleased to learn that our new acquisition is a South African product, and we’re excited at the prospect that this new machine will add value to our commitment of sustained service delivery to all our citizens,” said Cllr Georlene Wolmarans, executive mayor of Knysna Municipality at the official handover of the machine.

The TLB, as it is popularly known locally, is regarded as a versatile tool. It will be deployed in a variety of roles, spread among the different departments within the municipality, but it is the Roads and Public Works Department that will get the most out of the machine.

“Our Bell TLB’s first task will be to load silt that has been dredged from the nearby Bongani River,” says Shaun Maree, manager: Roads and Public Works at Knysna Municipality. “The Bongani River is an important source of water for our citizens and we dredge it at least twice a year, which means we will immediately put our new Bell machine to use to ensure a sustained water supply for our citizens.”