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JCB has introduced two additional Stage IIIB-powered wheeled loaders, the 427 and the 437. Replacing the 426 and 436, the loaders use a Cummins QSB engine, which meets the requirements of Stage IIIB without the need for a diesel particulate filter or selective catalytic reduction (SCR). A variable geometry turbocharger improves response, while an optional five-speed powershift transmission with intelligent clutch cut-off system helps to reduce fuel consumption.

Intel Capital has announced a US$100 million investment fund to help accelerate innovation and the adoption of new technology and services in the automotive industry, claiming it is the first global technology investment organisation headquartered in Silicon Valley to announce a dedicated focus on automotive technology innovation. The Intel Capital Connected Car Fund will be invested globally over the next four or five years in hardware, software and services companies developing technologies to promote

Attachments specialist Labounty has introduced two new cutter crushers, said to be the most powerful in their class. The MDP 20R can be mounted to the dipper of a 25tonne machine or to the boom of an 18tonne carrier. The heavier MDP 30R matches the dipper of a 35 tonne excavator or the boom of a 25tonne.

Epec is hoping to be a controlling influence at INTERMAT. The Finnish firm’s managing director, Jouni Matikainen, said the 32-bit processor and increased calculating power of the new 5050 control unit for mobile construction machines had created a “very powerful” unit. Matikainen said that all Epec’s range of control units, including the new 2024 model being exhibited at the show, have been made to cope with extreme application conditions, including dust-heavy mining.

The Metropolitan Police in London, England is reported to be considering the option of pursuing the first ever corporate manslaughter charge against a highways authority. Twenty-four-year-old cyclist Deep Lee was killed in a collision with a lorry at the junction of Pentonville Road and York Way in King’s Cross last October. An independent consultants’ report on pedestrian safety in 2008 had warned the capital’s highways authority, Transport for London (TfL), that the junction at York Way needed prope

BLS Enterprises is promoting its full range of Tufpads polyurethane track pads for pavers and asphalt milling machines, including the European introduction of its W series. W series pads can be used as a direct replacement for Wirtgen’s EPS system. Polyurethane lasts two or three times longer than rubber, said president Barry Stoughton. The Tufpads system is available in both one-piece and two-piece versions. The one-piece pads are bonded to the metal, while pads in the two-piece system are bolted on. This

The Fayat Group’s road building division is “ready to play its part” in overcoming the global economic downturn, Group general manager Jean-Claude Fayat told a press conference at INTERMAT. “The crisis is not over. The financing aspects have to be handled with care,” said Fayat, who stressed how the French Group’s “diversification and internationalisation” had left it in “good shape” to come through tough economic times.

Haulotte has introduced the Compact C10DX and C12DX rough terrain scissors lifts. Powered by a Stage IIIB Kubota engine, the machines produce lower noise levels and use 5% less fuel than previous models. The C10DX offers a maximum working height of 10.15m, while the larger C12DX has a 12.15m working height.

Transport for London (TfL) has shortlisted ten contractors for a road maintenance framework that could be worth as much as US$3billion over eight years. The framework is split into four contracts and could cover all London roads from 2013. TfL said the framework would provide cost savings and other efficiencies. The final contracts will be awarded before the end of 2012. The ten contractors are: Amey, Balfour Beatty Living Places, Bam Nuttall-Hyder Consulting, Colas-VolkerHighways-URS Scott Wilson, Co

The Japanese SE Group is working on a new road project in Vietnam. The 25km highway is costing some US$476 million to construct, with some 60% of the funding coming from the JBIC Bank and SE Group providing around 20%. The rest of the funding will be provided by official development assistant capital. This new road will provide a link from the city of Halong in Vietnam's Quang Ninh province to the Hanoi-Haiphong highway project.

Komatsu Europe is keen to develop its customer base in developed markets by using ideas like the diesel particulate filter (DPF) exchange programme. New Komatsu Europe managing director and CEO Keiko Fujiwara explained, “When we introduced the Stage IIIB models a lot of customers were concerned about initial costs and the care required for the DPF. That’s why we decided this exclusively for our Stage IIIB customers.”

Bridgestone has increased the available sizes for some of its popular off-road tyres. The VLTS tyre for articulated dump trucks now comes as an 875/65 R29 to suit top weight machines and additional sizes are also now available for the VSW and the VJT L3 pattern tyre, which are usually used on wheel loaders.

Komatsu used INTERMAT to take the wraps off two new Dash 7 wheeled loaders, badged WA380-7 and WA500-7. With engine emissions being the main driver, the smaller 18-tonne WA380-7 packs 142kW from its EU Stage IIIb engine to deliver improved efficiency and lower fuel consumption. The machine also gets torque converter lock-up with the function operating in 2nd, 3rd and 4th gears, and gives the loader a 40 km/h forward speed.

Komatsu used INTERMAT to take the wraps off two new Dash 7 wheeled loaders, badged WA380-7 and WA500-7. With engine emissions being the main driver, the smaller 18-tonne WA380-7 packs 142kW from its EU Stage IIIb engine to deliver improved efficiency and lower fuel consumption. The machine also gets torque converter lock-up with the function operating in 2nd, 3rd and 4th gears, and gives the loader a 40 km/h forward speed.