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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.

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

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.”

John Deere Power Systems (JDPS) revealed a new technology solution at Conexpo for John Deere diesel engines installed in OEM equipment. Called PowerSight, the telematics system features four John Deere technologies: the JDLink machine monitoring system; machine health prognostics; remote diagnostics and programming; and the PowerAssist app. All four elements integrate seamlessly to help customers manage their John Deere-powered OEM equipment.