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Deciding whether to buy new or used equipment

May 20, 2015

Customers can face the choice of buying used or new equipment – Dan Gilkes writes. The decision to buy either new or used equipment is almost as old as the construction plant market itself. However some of the reasons for choosing between the two might well be changing, to meet new demands from customers across the world and to cope with a changing supply base. Ever more stringent emissions legislation in Europe, the US and Japan, rapidly developing emerging markets that want the productivity of the latest

New Moroccan motorways planned

May 20, 2015

Four new motorways are to be built in Morocco following approval being given passed by the country’s government. The projects will cost a total of US$3.22 billion in all. The new routes include a motorway between Safi, Marrakesh and Béni-Mellal over a distance of 356-422km and costing from $1.35-1.56 billion. MAD 13bn and MAD 15bn. The other major connection is a motorway between Agadir and Guelmin, set to cost anywhere from $727 million- $1.77 billion, depending on the route and technical constraints, with

On track

May 20, 2015

A drunk driver in Dortmund, Germany caused commuter consternation when he mistakenly drove his Ford car onto tram tracks at a stretch where they ran along the surface. The line then dipped underground and the driver was unable to turn round, driving on until coming to a halt in an underground station. He stopped at the station and got out of his vehicle, leaving it on the tracks. Two police officers arrested him and bundled him away, leaving the transport officials with the job of moving the car. They had t

‘I thee dig’

May 20, 2015

A British construction worker used a midi excavator to write a marriage proposal for his partner. With a paintbrush attached to the bucket, the man used the machine to spell out his romantic message. The woman, a teacher, accepted his proposal.

Finnish fine fury

May 20, 2015

A driver reacted with fury following a fine in Finland for a speeding offence. The millionaire was hit with a fine of €54,000 (around £40,000) for driving at 22.4km/h (14mph) over the posted speed limit of 80km/h (50mph). In Finland a national database allows police to view the income of speeding offenders and to set fines in proportion. With the man earning a healthy €6.5 million/year, the fine was deemed appropriate by the authorities. The man however was less than impressed and posted his complaints onli

Love hurts

May 20, 2015

A British woman had rather a nasty shock while taking her young child to see African wildlife at a safari park in the UK. An amorous male rhinoceros first sniffed at her car and then repeatedly bashed into it, apparently mistaking it for a female of the species. Around €693 (£500) worth of damage was caused to the car, a grey Mitsubishi Warrior pick-up truck, although the woman and her toddler were unharmed. Luckily her choice of vehicle gave her and her child some protection against the over-excited creatu

Connected consumption

May 20, 2015

In-car connection technology now allows drivers to order food while behind the wheel. The systems mean that drivers can track their orders while the fast-food providers can monitor vehicle location. This means that orders can be ready as soon as a driver arrives, ensuring that food is freshly cooked and still warm. It should also allow drivers to ensure the orders are correct. An interactive voice control system is used to place the order, so that the driver’s hands remain on the vehicle controls. The techn

Bare-faced cheek

May 20, 2015

The vagaries of cycling laws in New Zealand were laid bare in December after police arrested a naked, drunk cyclist. For police in Timaru, a major port city on the south-east coast of New Zealand’s South Island, it was too much. In the name of decency they would not just stand by and be taunted and teased right in the middle of the high street. Apparently a police sergeant said that the man had not been charged with indecent exposure. Instead, the ever vigilant police decided the main issue was his lack of

Police call fortougher alcohol limits for UK drivers

May 20, 2015

The British Police Federation calling for the blood alcohol limit to be lowered. This call has also been backed by the campaigning road safety charity, Brake as well as the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (ROSPA). Evidence from Scotland where the drink driving limit was lowered during 2014 has shown a reduction in drink driving offences. This move would bring the UK into line with other European countries with regard to alcohol limits by reducing the level from the current 80mg/100ml of blood

New Myanmar bridge planned

May 20, 2015

A major new bridge project is planned for Myanmar.The US$168 million bridge will span the Yangon River connecting the town of Dala with the city of Yangon. Work on the Yangon-Dala Overbridge looks set to commence in 2015 and should take five years to complete.