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April 18, 2006 8:45 AM, EDT

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ruckload carrier Heartland Express said Monday that its first-quarter profit rose to $19.7 million or 27 cents a share, from $15.1 million or 20 cents in the previous first quarter.

img src="/sites/default/files/images/articles/heartlandexpresslogo.gif" width=92 align=right>Heartland’s operating revenue rose 13.8% to $135 million, the company said in a statement.

The carrier said replacement of its tractor fleet entered its “third and final year,” in advance of new Environmental Protection Agency rules set to take effect in 2007.

Heartland also said it began to upgrade its trailer fleet, with the purchase of new Wabash National trailers as replacements for its 2001 models.

eartland Express is ranked No. 46 on the Transport Topics 100 listing of the U.S. and Canadian for-hire trucking companies.