With an operating weight of 5280 to 5.350 kg, the new PC55MR-3 is a 5,2 tonne mini excavator that fits right into Komatsu’s MR-3 range. A tight tail design lets this machine work in total safety in most restricted areas, with no need to worry about rear collisions. Its Komatsu 4D88E-6 engine complies with the strictest Stage IIIA emission controls.

As all Komatsu MR-3 excavators, and despite its compact size, the PC55MR-3 offers unequalled comfort. The spacious cab was developed with exceptional care to details, and the work environment is quiet and comfortable. Special attention was given to the operator’s well being with ergonomic and dedicated PPC controls, and, in option, an efficient air conditioning and ventilation system that guarantees optimal thermal comfort.

Available with either long or short arm, cab or canopy, rubber, steel or road liner shoes the PC55MR-3 can be configured to perfectly fit the job at hand.

Komatsu’s state of the art CLSS hydraulic system provides the PC55MR-3 with top performance and maximum control even in combined operations, and helps to make this a very productive and easy to operate machine. To further enhance comfort of operation, new optional fingertip controls act on the first auxiliary hydraulic line: they offer improved versatility and controllability to guarantee maximum precision with minimum finger fatigue when working with attachments.

Source: http://www.komatsu.eu/press-releases.asp

In November, consumers again responded favourably to new offerings and a host of hefty incentives which drove up light vehicle sales by 13.6% increase over November 2009 to 115,981 units. Passenger cars were essentially flat, up 0.4%; while light truck sales soared 26.6% in the month over last year. Trucks continue to outpace car sales with 56.0% share of November deliveries.

Japanese automakers’ combined light vehicle sales dropped 1.1% to 39,088 in November but individual results were mixed. Mitsubishi, Honda and Subaru improved sales with double digit increases, offset by lower sales at Toyota and Suzuki. Nissan and Mazda were both ahead in single digit improvement.

For the YTD, light vehicle sales in Canada were up 7.1% to 1.445 million units. Light trucks led passenger car sales by a wide margin as trucks gained 19.9% to 782,796 units through the end of November, while car sales slumped 4.9% to 662,664 units.

Japanese automakers as a group had lower sales for YTD, down 3.1% to 493,633 units representing a market share of 34.2% down from 37.7% in 2009.

Source: http://www.jama.ca/aq/news/index.asp#A201012150

The large drum diameter makes them especially effective on soft asphalt compounds. In addition, the ratio of drum diameter to static linear load considerably reduces the risk of cracks.

In the combi versions, the rubber tires are operated in pairs by separate drive motors. This reduces the risk of marring newly laid asphalt when making sharp turns. The high clearance at the drum edge facilitates compaction close to high curbs. When equipped with optional features such as a sideways sliding seat and dual driving controls, there is a clear view of the edge of the drums.

The new range is powered by water-cooled Kubota diesel engines. Important especially during night work is the very low noise level, which is good for the operator and the city around him.

This new family of rollers is built up from a lot of common parts. This not only secures great parts availability now and in the future, but also indicates that these models will be offered for many years to come – thus further underlining the high second-hand value of Dynapac equipment.

The rollers are equipped with a corrosion-free, impact-resistant water tank. Three separate filters alleviate the problem of clogged sprinkler nozzles, and the entire sprinkler system can be drained easily with a few simple hand operations.

Source: http://www.dynapac.com/en/NewsEvents/News/Dynapacs-new-range-of-compact-tandem-rollers/

The equipment will be used to construct highways, bridges, dams and airports throughout China and will be delivered during a six month period in 2010/2011.

Xuzhou Gongli Road and Bridge Construction Machinery Co. Ltd is a rapidly growing construction equipment contractor that is doing business in five major provinces of China. The company was established in 1994 and operates out of Xuzhou, Jiangsu province, in East China.

Source: http://www.dynapac.com/en/NewsEvents/News/Atlas-Copco-wins-large-order-for-road-construction-equipment/

Hitachi Construction Machinery (Europe) NV (HCME) has manufactured its 1,000th special application excavator for delivery to its Romanian dealer, Powertek Equipment S.R.L. The ZX250LC-3 material handling machine has been bought by Ductil Steel, a subsidiary of the Russian Mechel Group, one of the five largest steel companies in the world.

To honour the occasion, a special ceremony was held at the factory in Oosterhout, The Netherlands, on 18 November. Representatives of both HCME and Powertek attended the event, which included presentations, a tour of the factory and the official handover of the keys to Powertek Marketing Coordinator Anca Stefan.

“The production of the 1,000th Hitachi special application machine in Europe is a great achievement for both HCME and Powertek,” says HCME Product Sales Representative for Special Equipment Mark Burghoorn. “It highlights Powertek’s strong focus on special application machines, and their positive and aggressive approach to this sector. Its established network will help Hitachi material handling machines to be successful in the growing Romanian market.”

The ZX250LC-3 was sold as part of a sales agreement with the Mechel Group for a total of six machines – three ZX250LC-3s and three ZX250W-3s. With a hydraulic elevating cab, short boom, straight arm with bucket cylinder and linkage, and a rotating selector grab, the ZX250LC-3 will be used to unload steel scrap from trucks at a site near Bucharest. Ductil Steel employs 1,340 people and also operates in Bulgaria, Switzerland, Hungary, Cyprus and China.

Source: http://www.hcme.com/en/content/view/full/4704

WASHINGTON, DC – The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials today thanked President Barack Obama for continuing to shine a national spotlight on the critical issue of transportation investment. Not since President Dwight D. Eisenhower championed the construction of a national Interstate Highway System has a president spoken as often about the need to invest in the nation’s essential surface transportation networks.

“I hope America was listening Monday to the President’s speech at Forsyth Technical Community College in Winston-Salem, North Carolina,” said John Horsley, AASHTO executive director. “The President warned that America is in danger of falling behind in the race for the future and he called for greater investment in America’s infrastructure – roads, railways, runways, and information superhighways – to create jobs and economic growth.”

Source:http://news.transportation.org/press_release.aspx?Action=ViewNews&NewsID=352

Washington, DC - Heading into the end of the year public transportation riders have a little more money in their pockets. As gas prices rise this holiday season, switching from driving to riding public transportation is a proven way for individuals to cut monthly and yearly transportation costs, while also reducing their carbon footprint.

The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) released their monthly Transit Savings Report noting that riding public transportation saves individuals, on average $9,581 annually, a savings of more than $400 compared to the same time last year, and up to $798 per month based on the December 7, 2010 average national gas price ($2.96 per gallon-reported by AAA) and the national unreserved monthly parking rate.

APTA releases this monthly “Transit Savings Report” to examine how an individual in a two-person household can save money by taking public transportation and living with one less car.

The national average for a monthly unreserved parking space in a downtown business district is $161.56, according to the 2010 Colliers International Parking Rate Study. Over the course of a year, parking costs for a vehicle can amount to an average of $1,939.

The top 20 cities with the highest transit ridership are ranked in order of their transit savings based on the purchase of a monthly public transit pass and factoring in local gas prices for December 7, 2010 and the local monthly unreserved parking rate.*

Source:

Volvo Construction Equipment’s executive management team (EMT) has approved a 65 million SEK investment in an Excavator Remote Assembly and Manufacturing (RAM) set up in its Pederneiras factory in Brazil. The project consists of localizing assembly and components in order to achieve 50% local content on the four most important models in the Latin American market: the EC140C, EC160C, EC210B and EC240B excavators, beginning with EC210B. It will involve extending the building in São Paulo state by 8,500 m2 as well as specific investments in welding, machining and assembly equipment.

“Volvo Construction Equipment is committed to supporting the capacity and product offering in Brazil and throughout the growing BRIC markets,” said Volvo CE President & CEO Olof Persson.

Source:http://www.volvo.com/constructionequipment/asia/en-gb/newsmedia/pressreleases/NewsItemPage.htm?channelId=2344&ItemID=93585&sl=en-gb

NTN Corporation (hereafter, NTN) has decided to establish NTN NOTO Corporation in Hakui-gun, Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan to manufacture and sell bearings for industrial machinery.

Purpose of establishing the new company:

As part of NTN’s new growth strategy, the company is accelerating its business strengthening aimed at emerging markets, where demand is rapidly expanding, and industrial machinery. At this time NTN has decided to establish a new company in the Noto district of Ishikawa Prefecture to expand and strengthen production capacity for bearings for industrial machinery.

The new company will manufacture various types of bearings used in construction machinery and in industrial machinery for wind power generation, steel, and mining. The new company will serve as a base for shipping to the Asian market with a focus on China and to other parts of the world in order to expand sales.
In the same district, NTN has already established NTN HAKUI Corp., NTN HOUDATSUSHIMIZU Corp., and NTN SHIKA Corp. to boost the company’s production system for extra large bearings used in industrial machinery. By establishing NTN NOTO Corp., NTN is positioning the district as one large production center for bearings for industrial machinery, and is speeding up business expansion.

Source: http://www.ntn.co.jp/english/news/news_files/press/news201000076.html

Komatsu Ltd. (President & CEO: Kunio Noji) is going to launch worldwide sales of HB205 and HB215LC hybrid hydraulic excavators, initially in Japan on December 1, 2010. Following Japan, Komatsu is planning to expand sales in North America, China, Latin America, Southeast Asia, and Europe.

In June 2008, Komatsu led the world by introducing the world’s first hybrid hydraulic excavator, “PC200-8 E0 Hybrid” on the Japanese market. In fiscal 2009, Komatsu embarked on sales in China and test marketing in North America. As of October 31, over 650 units were in operation around the world.

By capitalizing on know-how and technologies accumulated over the years, Komatsu implemented a full-scale model change of its 20-ton class hybrid hydraulic excavator. While reducing fuel consumption as well as NOx and CO2 emissions, both HB205 and HB215LC hybrid models offer improved maintainability thanks to model-change versions of hybrid components. As a result, customers can expect a better operating rate of their machines. As an option, they also come with a common-use hydraulic pipe which enables the use of different attachments for a wide range of worksite conditions.

Source: http://www.komatsu.com/CompanyInfo/press/2010112911374014646.html