JCB retires 456 wheel loader, introduces 457

Revisions to the 457 model include an additional 683 pounds to increase loading capability, a 3.3 percent boost in tipping load, operator’s ability to adjust the JCB Smooth Ride System ">Obd2 scanner so it can be activated at any speed, relocation of the hydraulic tank from beneath the cab steps to behind the cab, addition of a full-color LCD monitor, changes to the instrument cluster, rear styling with a revised counterweight design and a sloping engine canopy at the rear.

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An 8.9-liter, 250-horsepower Cummins engine, which delivers approximately 800 pound-feet of torque, powers the machine and uses a high-pressure common rail fuel injection system, exhaust gas recirculation, a diesel oxidation catalyst, a diesel particulate filter and a variable geometry turbocharger to meet Stage IIIB/Tier 4 Interim requirements.

Fuel-saving features of the new JCB 456 include an Economy mode to reduce engine output for lighter duties, a low idle feature and an engine shutdown mode, which provide the equipment with fuel savings of up to 6 percent.

A four-speed automatic power shift transmission comes standard on the wheel loaders. An optional five-speed power shift transmission with a lock-up torque converter which activates in gears 2-5 is also available ">Car Diagnostic Tools. An intelligent clutch cut-off system is included with both the 4- and 5-speed transmissions.

The JCB 457 is available with a choice of conventional multi-lever layout, a single joystick with separate auxiliary control lever and a joystick with proportional control auxiliary controls built in.

Main Street Reunion Car Show

Next Saturday, the 10th annual Main Street Reunion Car Show rolls into town. The event features 400 pre-1976 vehicles, from muscle cars to Model A’s, and is one of the most popular in Napa. Cars ranged from fully restored to the way they rolled off the factory line, to customized to the owner’s tastes. It’s not unheard of for a car lover to sink a quarter of a million dollars into restoring a vehicle, and the result is often a work of art on four wheels. One out-of-town visitor to last year’s show said they came to Napa for the wine, but they’ll come back for the car show.

Dennis Gage of the television show “My Classic Car” will be a special guest. He’ll film cars, their owners and show attendees for a future episode of his show. He’s hard to miss, even if you haven’t seen the show — a wiry, high-energy guy in a cap and glasses, with a handlebar mustache that practically rests on his shoulders. He’ll add an element of fun for everyone with whom he comes in contact.

The free show is on Main and First streets from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.



Blues, Brews & BBQ

If blues is more your thing (or for that matter, brews and barbecue) the following weekend is for you. Saturday, Aug. 25, the fourth annual Blues Brews & BBQ delivers on all three in a big way.

The event begins at 1 p.m., with The California Honeydrops performing on the main stage at Dwight Murray Plaza. The California Honeydrops are known to get people out of their seats and onto the floor, dancing, sweating and singing along. At 3:30 p.m., The J.C. Smith Band takes the main stage.

The 2006 Bay Area Blues Society West Coast Blues Band of the Year award winner attacks the blues as if he is being guided by the masters like T-Bone Walker, Albert King and Johnnie “Guitar” Watson. Backed by a five-piece band, J.C. is committed to keeping the blues alive. A second stage features Wingnut Adams and The Bluestate Band and a third features new Bay Area artists featured on KFOG 104.5 FM.

Beer lovers will have 30 microbrews from which to choose, some that you won’t find anywhere else. And barbecue. We’re talking ribs, chicken, pork, corn: enough to keep anyone from going home hungry.

A big feature is the 3:15 p.m. Rib Eatin’ Contest, hosted by Bounty Hunter Wine Bar and Smokin’ BBQ. See how many ribs otherwise refined people can eat in a short amount of time. Interested in participating? Stop by Bounty Hunter at 975 First St. You could eat your way to glory and heartburn in front of thousands of people.

Wishy-washy stock market ends slightly higher

Stocks inched down for most of the day. Then, with 45 minutes of trading left, the Dow Jones industrial average turned positive. The Standard & Poor's 500 and the Nasdaq composite soon followed. All ended the day slightly higher.

In a week with no major developments in Europe's debt crisis, and no surprising reports on the U.S. economy, the market struggled to figure out which way to go. The three indexes rose incrementally on Monday and Tuesday and were mixed on Wednesday and Thursday.

In a market that has grown used to triple-digit swings on the Dow, this week brought none - the first time since early May that that's happened. It was a marked change ">Auto tools from the same week a year ago. Back then, the Dow swung by triple digits every day, including one plunge of 634 points, after a downgrade of the U.S. debt rating. This week, the biggest move was a measly 51-point rise on Tuesday.

With many money managers on vacation, trading volume was low. "The sound of silence" is how Bank of America Merrill Lynch economist Ethan Harris labeled a note to clients Friday.

Sure, there were piecemeal signs about the world economy for anyone who was looking. But they were less than decisive.

The second-quarter earnings season continued to wind down calmly, with most companies coming in ahead of profit predictions. But China reported a troubling slowdown in its export growth. And the so-called fiscal cliff of 2013, when government spending cuts and higher taxes kick in, looms larger now that earnings season is out of the way.

"There are three big elephants in the room," said Marty Leclerc, chief investment officer of Barrack Yard Advisors in Bryn Mawr, Penn. "A slowdown in Asia growth, the European crisis ... and the U.S. 'fiscal cliff.' "

To be sure, stocks have risen fairly steadily since the U.S. debt downgrade last August. Compared to a year ago, the Dow Jones industrial average is up 23 percent.

Friday, the Dow ended up 42.76 points at 13,207.95. The S&P 500 rose 3.07 to 1,405.87. The Nasdaq composite rose 2.22 to 3,020.86.

But the stock market's relative good cheer doesn't necessarily mean the underlying economy is improving. Instead, the market gains are more a sign that central banks like the Federal Reserve are still willing to artificially prop up the economy, said Bill Strazzullo, chief market strategist at Bell Curve Trading outside Boston.

"You've got every central bank out there saying, 'We're going to print as much money as it takes, we're going to buy as many bonds as it takes,' " Strazzullo said.

Europe, the cause of so much market consternation for so many months, was quiet. Benchmark indexes fell slightly in France, Germany and Spain. Italy's long-term borrowing costs jumped, a sign that investors are nervous about its ability to pay its debts.

Manchester United, the white-hot British soccer club, had a lethargic debut as a public company. The stock closed exactly where it opened, at $14, likely a sign that investors are worried about its heavy debts.

A few stocks did make big moves. J.C. Penney jumped 6 percent, rising $1.30 to $23.40, after CEO Ron Johnson laid out more of his vision for turning around the struggling department store company. Lions Gate, the movie and TV studio, gained 21 cents to $13.46, after reporting a revenue surge thanks to "The Hunger Games."

Chesapeake Energy fell 3 percent, slipping 63 cents to $19.68, after reporting that the government is investigating possible ">Obd2 scanner antitrust violations surrounding its purchase of oil and gas land in Michigan. Yahoo fell 5 percent, losing 86 cents to $15.15, after revealing that shareholders might not get a payout that the company had previously planned.

China reported that its export growth slumped to 1 percent in July from more than 11 percent in June, as debt-burdened Europe pulled back on buying Chinese goods.

Dan Heckman, senior vice president at U.S. Bank wealth management in Kansas City, wondered if China's next exports report would show exports shrinking, rather than just growing more slowly.

Vegas police chasing car find man shot dead inside

Las Vegas police chasing a car that appeared to be driving itself say they found a man shot dead inside.

An officer says he saw the Nissan Maxima run a red light about 6 p.m. Sunday near Martin Luther King and Lake Mead boulevards, but it didn't look like anyone was in the driver's seat.

Authorities say the vehicle jumped a median and veered into a landscaped area near a church before it turned back into oncoming traffic and hit another vehicle.

Officers found a man with multiple gunshot wounds slouched in the seat. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police tell the Las Vegas Review-Journal the man apparently had his foot on the accelerator after he was shot. Detectives are looking for who's responsible for the killing.

Top 10 Cars for the 2012 Apocalypse

We won't know until Dec. 21, 2012, if the Mayans accurately predicted the world's demise, but as the new year dawns we can't help but focus on the possible impending apocalypse ">Obd2 scanner. Whether that happens as a massive shifting of the Earth's tectonic plates, zombie takeover or some man-made cataclysm, the following new cars have our pick to survive through any trials heading our way.

2012 Volkswagen Beetle

The Volkswagen Beetle is the closest radiation-resistant-named car out there since (wisely) no automakers call their car the Cockroach. According to the TV show, "Mythbusters," the red flour beetle can resist more radiation than the famed nuclear-fallout-survivor cockroach. Even though its VW counterpart isn't built to resist radiation, the Beetle at least has enough headroom in its domed cabin for a radiation suit's helmet.

2012 Lexus LS 460

In the event of ravaging earthquakes, the LS 460's available adaptive air suspension will make you forget about all the aftershocks with its ability to hide road imperfections; it makes the LS feel like it's driving on clouds.

2012 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG

With room for only two occupants, the 2012 Mercedes SLS AMG leaves no room for ravenous zombies to stowaway in the backseat. Any two-seater will technically provide the same protection, but if you're one of the last humans around, why not go in style? Plus, the gullwing doors allow hasty entry and exit of the cabin for retrieving people while on the go.

2012 Hyundai Equus

The sun is going to be extra hot after the ozone is obliterated from nuclear or natural disaster. Cooled front seats are common in new cars, but cooled rear seats? Not so much. The 2012 Hyundai Equus has them both, plus power rear window shades and refrigerated cool box to keep occupants, and their beverages, chilled.

2012 Ram 3500 Longhorn

Nothing looks more appropriate in the post-apocalyptic world than a diesel-powered dually truck screaming down a dusty road with a cloud of black smoke puking out the exhaust. But today's clean-burning diesels, like the Ram 3500's 6.7-liter Cummins diesel, won't be emitting anything visible from the tailpipes. A diesel deserves to make the list because they can be set up to run on scavenged vegetable oil from restaurants. After the apocalypse, you won't have to worry about voiding the warranty or breaking fuel-quality laws when doing so. Plus, the Ram truck's optional Rambox has factory mounts to hold a pair of shotguns.

2012 Chevrolet Suburban 2500

You'll need to travel long distances without stopping for fuel to avoid scavenger attacks and packs of zombie dogs. The Suburban 2500 is good for 585 miles with its 39-gallon fuel capacity and 15 mpg highway rating. Other vehicles may be able to travel farther without stopping, but the Suburban's heavy-duty construction, four-wheel drive and ability to carry nine people make it fit for survivalists.

2011 Ford Crown Victoria

Crown Victorias have the "WALL-E" factor in post-apocalyptic urban environments. Pixar's WALL-E is a robot left on an uninhabited Earth for cleanup duty; he scavenges through an abundance of duplicate broken robots for extra parts. Spare parts will be a breeze to find on abandoned Crown Victorias because they have been hugely popular choices for police and taxi duty. Plus, the car is mechanically bulletproof and known to accumulate 200,000 miles or more with heavy abuse.

2012 Jeep Wrangler MW3 Edition

The Wrangler is a rugged, go-anywhere SUV with rock-crawling capabilities and heavy-duty hardware. Its capabilities alone are enough reason to get one, but Jeep has an appropriate package if the apocalypse is a result of modern warfare: the Modern Warfare 3 edition launched for the release of the Call of Duty video game. The MW3 package looks the part with an available winch in the heavy-duty front bumper, protective rocker panel rails and power-dome hood.

2012 Ford Raptor

The Raptor's desert-runner capability will make quick work of barren wastelands with a 6.2-liter V-8 making 411 horsepower, huge suspension travel and knobby tires. For 2012, a new camera system mounted in the grille gives a view of what's ahead, and even has its own washer system to clear the lens of mud or zombie guts.

2012 Land Rover Range Rover Supercharged

Why not live out what's left of the world in style and capability? The Land Rover Range Rover is a fully capable off-roader with adjustable terrain modes for gravel, grass, snow, rocks and tarmac ">Car Diagnostic Tools. Supercharged models are the way to go with 518 horsepower, zero to 60 mph in 5.9 seconds and top speed of 140 mph. The Range Rover's Achilles' heel will likely be its awful reliability, which could leave you at the mercy of radiation-mutated creatures.

Police say 13-year-olds drove stolen car from Ohio to Missouri, found sleeping in it in alley

The runaways, from the Columbus area, were taken into custody by officers investigating a suspicious vehicle that matched the description of the BMW taken early Saturday from the mother of one of the boys, Kansas City police said.

Police there had known the boys might pass through the area because of information posted to Facebook, Capt. Steve Young said.

“They were fine, fortunately,” Young said. “I think there are definitely a whole lot of things that could have gone wrong for them, and having the police find them probably would be one of the better outcomes.”

Catherine Johnson said her son Cole had wanted to go to California and she believes that’s where he and Raheem Harris were headed. Johnson said she was surprised that the boys took off in her vehicle — for a trip that likely amounted to more than 650 miles — but was relieved to learn they were safe.

“How it went on for two days and no one noticed boggles my mind,” Johnson said Monday by phone from Chicago as she waited for a flight to Kansas City to retrieve the boys, who had been turned over to the Jackson County Family Court.

Johnson said authorities told her the boys would not be charged in Kansas City. The car was towed.

Johnson said she has submitted a complaint over how Columbus police initially handled the case because she believes they took hours too long to get it filed and alert other authorities.

A Columbus police spokesman said he was unable to confirm late Monday that a complaint had been filed, but he defended the handling of the case and said officers followed the typical steps for dealing with such cases. Those steps take time, he said, noting that information about the missing car was entered into a records database within about three hours of when the report was received.

Top 10 Urban Cars

In 2009, one in every 6.4 Americans — from New York to Honolulu — lived in the top 50 major incorporated cities, according to U.S. census data. And if you're among them, chances are you know all too well what it's like to shoehorn yourself into a tight parallel-parking spot ">Obd2 scanner, squeeze between Dumpsters and delivery trucks, or witness your bumpers accrue a patchwork of dimples.

It's no wonder that State Farm Insurance reports that a driver living in central Illinois would pay 30 percent lower premiums than if the driver lived in downtown Chicago. Compare upstate New York and Manhattan, and the premium difference climbs to 70 percent.

Some cars ease the urban burden better than others. Our editors set out to find just those few. We surveyed vehicle lengths, turning circles, driving visibility and parking aids. We considered our own driving impressions, looked at EPA city mileage ratings and called out cars that don't have folding side mirrors. From an initial list of 58 models — all 2011s — here are our top 10:

The Ultimate Urban Car

2011 Mini Cooper
The Mini Cooper refuses to release its grip on the title of Ultimate Urban Car. Yes, it's short — just over 12 feet long — and it turns a fairly tight circle and offers rear parking sensors. But being the ultimate urban car isn't just about parking. The Cooper's wee size and nimble handling make it good for scooting around delivery vehicles or slowpokes, especially if you opt for the turbocharged S trim level. All Coopers have excellent brakes, too, so you're well-protected against the indiscretions of others, such as cellphone-obsessed pedestrians who don't know street from sidewalk. Consider the convertible if you live in a warm climate, but if you're in a wintry city, think twice about the S trim level, which rides too firmly for pothole-ridden streets.

• Length: 146.8 inches
• Turning circle: 35.1 feet
• Seats: 4
• City MPG: 28-29 (premium gas)

Other Worthy Contenders

2011 Chevrolet Cruze
It's not flashy — OK, it's really not flashy — but the Cruze satisfies the basic transportation needs of any driver extremely well. Chevy also delivers one of its highest-quality interiors along with good fuel economy and, most importantly in the city, a suspension that eats up potholes. Unlike many other small cars, the Cruze also has a sizable backseat for taking friends out to dinner, and the trunk is as big as those you find in some midsize sedans. Plus, if it gets a ding, you're really not going to be too heartbroken.

• Length: 181.0 inches
• Turning circle: 35.8-36.4 feet
• Seats: 5
• City MPG: 22-28

2011 Ford Fiesta hatchback
Ford's cosmopolitan-looking Fiesta is all the rage in city-flocked Europe, and it should suit urban America equally well. The manual transmission's light clutch and smooth throws suit the city better than the optional automatic, whose twin-clutch setup has the Fiesta lurching around a bit at low speeds. Either way, the car's near-30 mpg city mileage should minimize trips to the pump. The suspension ticks off manhole covers and alley ruts without lingering aftershocks, and the car's nimble steering will have you maneuvering around stopped taxicabs without breaking a sweat. Ford's available Sync system should appeal to tech enthusiasts, with app integration for a number of smartphones.

• Length: 160.1 inches
• Turning circle: 34.4 feet
• Seats: 5
• City MPG: 28-29

2011 Honda Fit
Like an efficiency apartment, the Honda Fit is a packaging marvel, and it can hold a lot more stuff than its small exterior size would suggest. A tall roofline and low load floor help the hatchback achieve a cavernous 57.3 cubic feet of cargo room with the backseat down. The backseat also flips up, giving it versatility not normally seen in its class. When you take into account gas mileage as high as 28/35 mpg city/highway with an automatic transmission and the Fit's light-on-its-feet nature, this is one hatchback that's made for tackling — and moving things in — cities.

• Length: 161.6 inches
• Turning circle: 34.4 feet
• Seats: 5
• City MPG: 27-28

2011 Hyundai Elantra sedan
We've been impressed with the new cars coming from Hyundai lately, like the Sonata family sedan, and the redesigned Elantra compact car impresses, too. The 2011 model's all-new design brings a heavy dose of style to the small-car segment, but Hyundai delivered on the practical front, too, as all versions of the Elantra get an EPA-estimated 29/40 mpg. The emphasis on design carries over to the cabin, which is distinctive and functional. All in all, the Elantra drives, looks and feels like a more expensive car than it actually is, and it's hard to put a price on that.

• Length: 178.3 inches
• Turning circle: 34.8 feet
• Seats: 5
• City MPG: 29

2011 Kia Forte hatchback
Kia's Forte debuted as a compact sedan, with a coupe and four-door hatchback following in quick succession. While the two-door is fun and the four-door is sensible, the hatchback may be the best option for city dwellers. You get the same well-designed interior and a capable engine, along with the numerous standard features and the low price of the sedan. And don't forget the extra cargo room. It may not drive as sportingly as the Mazda3 or even the Toyota Matrix, but the Forte costs significantly less and delivers better gas mileage. Those are two convincing reasons to go with the Kia.

• Length: 170.9 inches
• Turning circle: 33.8 feet
• Seats: 5
• City MPG: 22-25

2011 Kia Soul
The Soul's boxy lines liken a sort of Mini-Me version of the delivery trucks crawling any city street. Get one in brown, and the UPS driver might give you a friendly honk. (Not that you'd be able to distinguish it from the other honks.) The Soul's four-cylinder engine — most trims have a 2.0-liter — gets the job done, if unremarkably, and the highly assisted steering comes in handy at urban speeds. The trendy interior will appeal to a certain type of city dweller, with available features that include speakers that illuminate in sync with your music. Not surprisingly, they tend to work better with Lady Gaga than Lynyrd Skynyrd.

• Length: 161.6 inches
• Turning circle: 34.4 feet
• Seats: 5
• City MPG: 24-26

2011 Nissan Leaf
The Nissan Leaf is perfect for the city, and vice versa. With a range as high as 100 miles, the battery-electric Leaf is great for the average commute. It's more efficient at moderate speeds than on the highway, so trips around downtown areas are where it's most capable. Unlike gas-powered cars, which waste fuel in traffic jams, the Leaf's battery isn't depleted as it crawls along, barring excessive use of the heat or air conditioner. City centers are where public charging is proliferating, which should diminish range anxiety. An optional backup camera is a coup for parking purposes.

• Length: 175.0 inches
• Turning circle: 34.2 feet
• Seats: 5
• City MPG: 106 MPGe

2011 Volkswagen Golf TDI
With the diesel-powered Golf TDI, fuel economy and driving fun happily coexist. The Golf TDI is rated at 30/42 mpg in all its forms, and the diesel four-cylinder's robust torque — combined with a nimble chassis — will have you slicing through urban traffic in no time. This is an entertaining driver's car. Inside, the Golf TDI features a level of quality that not many competitors can match, and whether you get the two- or four-door hatchback model, the cabin is versatile, capable of swallowing loads of cargo for that crosstown move. It's a car that will turn diesel skeptics into believers.

• Length: 165.4 inches
• Turning circle: 35.8 feet
• Seats: 5
• City MPG: 30 (diesel)

2011 Toyota Yaris hatchback
Not many cars can turn a full circle in under 35 feet. The fact that the Yaris does it in under 31 feet is extraordinary — and handy in tight corners and parallel parking. The car's basic exterior leaves no fog lights or chrome trim at risk for curb encounters, and in hatchback form, its stubby dimensions should make it easy to wedge into tight spaces ">Car Diagnostic Tools. Inside, the cabin's three glove compartments allows space to stash valuables away from prying eyes, and the car's four-cylinder is peppier than its 106 horsepower might suggest. The car also starts under $13,000 — which gives at least one cheap aspect to city living.

• Length: 150.6 inches
• Turning circle: 30.8 feet
• Seats: 5
• City MPG: 29