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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.

The Oman Government has awarded a major road upgrade project to Indian contractor Larsen & Toubro. The 76km project is worth just over US$249 million. The route is at present a two lane road and will be widened between the towns of Bidbid and Sur. The work includes building 10 interchanges, seven pedestrian underpasses and five underpasses for vehicles. It also includes building service roads.

From Colombia comes news of a US$13.4 billion funding package that will be directed towards the construction of nine highway projects. This package of works includes construction and concessions for a series of highways, which will be carried out under the PPP model. These include the Conexión Norte, Autopista al Río Magdalena 1, Autopista al Río Magdalena 2, Autopista al Mar 1 and Autopista al Mar 2. They also include the Autopista Conexión Pacífico 1, Autopista Conexión Pacífico 2 and Autopista Conexión P

A new study from Germany reveals that young drivers are increasingly interested in vehicles equipped with modern communication facilities. This report is of concern as data shows the increasing use of communication devices to boost the risk of crashes. According to a study by Samsung, the entering of a telephone number while driving increases accident risk by a factor of 2.8 and the typing of a text message by a factor of 23. Meanwhile a study by insurance company Allianz suggests that 30% of motorists read

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

FPT Industrial’s latest compact diesel engine is the R22 – a three-cylinder power unit that covers the 33-52kW sector. Based on one of the firm’s VM engine platforms, the R22 has adopted a single canister approach to achieving Tier 4 Final emissions legislation.

Chinese manufacturer Zoomlion has won a significant order for cranes worth US$20 million. The agreement is with the crane distributor, Global Cranes. Uri Toudjarov, CEO of Global Cranes commented, “We are pleased to work with Zoomlion. The products cater to the Northern American market. I believe such cooperation will be a great success.”

Trimble is offering the integration of LOADRITE X2350 excavator scales and L2180 wheel loader scales with its latest management software. LOADRITE weighing systems help increase productivity and efficiency for excavator and wheel loader operations, allowing material movements to be tracked and creating more efficient loading.