News

ZF used Conexpo to reveal a production-ready version of its NMV pto gear drive system. Mounted between the engine and transmission of a vehicle, the NMV assembly allows an auxiliary mechanical drive to be engaged without having to the run the driveline through a transmission.

Castrol claims that its latest semi-synthetic engine oil, Hypuron AF, can extend oil drain intervals significantly with the introduction of a new additive pack. The firm said its 10W30 oil has the ability to double oil drain intervals from the near industry standard 500hours to 1000hours with the use of frequent oil analysis. It has been drawing on the experience of several US mine and quarry operators who are already achieving 1250hour oil change intervals, who are chasing a target of 1400hour for their

The International Powered Access Federation (IPAF) and the North American National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators (NCCCO) have joined forces to raise awareness of the dangers of working near to overhead power lines. Speaking at Conexpo 2014, both organisations have found that a high percentage of reported fatalities involving either aerial work platforms or mobile cranes - almost 50% in the case of cranes - involve collisions with overhead power lines. Given that most work platform o

Donaldson has developed a new range of heavy-duty hydraulic filter systems for mid-pressure applications, called the FLK series. The cartridge-type filter includes a re-usable bowl that carries a raised rib profile – the latter allowing the filter housing to be tightened and released without the need for tools or filter wrenches. Locking tabs on the cartridge filter have been included to help correctly locate the cartridge within its bowl. The FLK series uses Donaldson’s Synteq XP filter media to resist

In the UK a contractor carried out a successful overnight demolition of a highway bridge. Demolition firm S Evans and Sons carried out the work, as a sub-contract to main contractor Balfour Beatty. The work involved removing the pedestrian bridge located close to the town of Stafford. The bridge spanned the busy M54 motorway and the work was carried out at night to minimise disturbance to the traffic flow.

Official approval has been given to the feasibility report for the Chuzhou-Huainan Expressway project in China’s Anhui province. Construction of the US$1.35 billion expressway will be carried out during 2014 and the projects is due for be completion within 3 years. The 125km route will feature four lanes in either direction and will have a speed limit of 120km/h. The expressway project includes seven interchanges.

Work is now underway on the second section of a new tunnel project in the Polish city of Gdansk. The tunnel runs underneath the Martwa Wisla River. The project is of note as it is the first time a TBM has been used to drive a tunnel in Poland. The tunnel will feature twin tubes, each measuring 1.07km long. The tunnel forms part of the Trasa Slowackiego project and is worth some €210 million.

Paraguay is planning to launch a series of project tenders during 2014. The country's public works and communications ministry (MOPC) intends to invest some US$700 million in 19 infrastructure road tenders during 2014, according to Business News Americas. Two tenders for the construction and rehabilitation of Asunción's eastern access road and the Cruce Guaraní-Pindoty Porá route in Canindeyú department have already been launched. These are due to be awarded shortly. In the first quarter of 2014, MOPC aims