Products

Politicians can be an easy target for criticism. Their job involves making decisions that affect the lives of others, whether popular or unpopular, which they believe are nevertheless for the common good. But every once in a while politicians; international, national or local, do something so unutterably stupid it defies explanation. And in the US state of Michigan, the Senate has done just that by approving the repeal of the motorcycle helmet law.

A firm in the US is now offering a copy of the Batmobile, as seen in the 1960s TV series starring Adam West and Burt Ward. The vehicle is based on the running gear of a Lincoln Town Car, with a fiberglass body on top. It does feature a red flashing beacon, a Detec-a-Scope and a functional propane powered flamethrower at the rear to simulate the turbine the vehicle was supposed to be powered by. Costing US$150,000, the retro-Batmbobile is for affluent enthusiasts only and the producer is allowed to build jus

Searching questions are being asked within the construction industry of the need for the Tier 4 Interim/Stage IIIB emissions legislation now coming into force. A senior figure within the European construction equipment sector with an executive role at a major manufacturer said, "Who are we doing this for?" He said that there is a need to reduce engine emissions so as to minimise pollution.

With warmer weather now spreading across the Northern Hemisphere, the impact of a second successive harsh winter can finally be seen on the roads of many nations. The transport links of many countries were affected badly by tough winter conditions. From the US to Russia and the 27 European Union members, heavy snow blocked roads and led to endless delays.

In a bid to set a world record for the most useless vehicle-related product ever, a firm has developed what it calls the Carstache. Designed as an item of fake facial hair to attach to the front of a car or truck, this novelty device is intended to appeal to male motorists who presumably have more money than sense. The utterly pointless product allows an owner to personalise a vehicle according to the company's founder. The Carstache is available in a range of colours including black, brown, orange and pink

Jonyang is a joint venture owned by Guizhou Guiyang Industrial Investment Holding Company and Singapore Technologies Kinetics (ST Kinetics), with excavators forming the main sales focus.

Official statistics can often reveal the blindingly obvious to anyone with the remotest level of common sense. A report from the UK's Office for National Statistics presents a fine example, stating that fewer journeys were made during the recession.

Ontario-based WS Tyler is offering three innovative new systems to the North American market. The company is a subsidiary of German firm Haver and one of its new concepts is the new Haver Pelletising Disc, which converts fines into marketable pelletised product.

XGMA has a long history of building construction equipment having commenced production in 1951. Wheeled loaders were the firm’s main output for many years though the range has widened considerably and now also includes excavators, soil compactors and backhoe loaders, for example. Outside of China the firm has strong export sales and sells well into Latin America, the Middle East and Russian and is looking to recruit staff in Brazil during 2012, according to Joaqim Zheng, sales director for Central and South

Shantui is moving steadily up the dozer size scale and its new SD52-5 bulldozer is the largest and most powerful the firm has ever made. This is also the biggest dozer made in China. Powered by a fuel-efficient diesel rated at 390kW, the SD5-5 is said to be both productive and economical to buy and run. The cab meets ROPS/FOPS requirements while also offering operator comfort and all-round visibility.

Sany is introducing several new machines with improved performance, including the SHG130 grader and SSR260 soil compactor. For earthmoving operations Sany has developed the SSR260 soil compactor and SHG190 grader. The 26.7tonne soil compactor is designed for low maintenance needs, with features including positive lubrication air-intake filtering and fuel filtering. Vibration damping makes the machine comfortable to operate for longer periods while an electronic diagnostics system ensures that the operator c

A study by Switzerland's Accident Prevention Office (BPA) has unveiled an interesting cultural phenomenon with regard to road safety.

Swarco Industries, a division of Swarco America, has unveiled its new wet reflective temporary construction zone tape Director-2 WR.

Higgins Contractors of New Zealand has made rapid use of its new Borum BMT 350 road marking machine, the first of its type in the country. The machine was bought recently to undertake contract work for the New Zealand Transport Authority and local councils, following a meeting Higgins had with Borum representatives at the Intertraffic exhibition in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, a year ago.