Classic Atlas Machines Discovered (#ThrowbackThursday)

Our Dutch friend, former demolition machine operator and photo journalist Geert-Yke Rusticus, has shared some images of rare old Atlas machines that he captured during a visit to the factory in Germany a few years ago.

Atlas, formerly H. Weyhausen KG, has a long history in the manufacture of hydraulic excavators and machinery having been founded in Germany as far back as 1919 by Hinrich Weyhausen.

The business adopted the Atlas trademark in 1936 and in the early 1950’s the company launched its first fully hydraulic excavator the space age looking AB 1500. There have been numerous changes to the business over the years, including a takeover of the company by the American Terex group in 2001.

In 2010 the entrepreneur Fil Filipov acquired Atlas and re-established the business as an independent company under the brand name “Atlas Maschinen GmbH” which it remains to this day.

At the factory Geert and the assembled guests were treated to a look around a historical collection of old Atlas models, this first example is a very peculiar machine, and he has not been able to identify the model. The machine appears to feature the tricycle style undercarriage, similar to the arrangement on the old Poclain TY45 machines, but this has a side mounted boom with limited slew functionality.

From what I can find out, this was a machine primarily designed for digging graves, but if anyone else has more knowledge on it, we would be delighted to hear from you.

Sporting the more familiar Atlas orange was this superbly restored AB 1200 model. Even though this machine was built in 1962 one has to say it looks an incredibly stylish and capable machine, and as we know from years of experience, wheeled excavators are extremely popular across Europe, especially in the German and French markets.

Atlas was also involved in the manufacture or collaboration projects for wheeled loading shovels, this classic restoration of an AR 40 model was displayed for the assembled guests.

Larger shovels were also produced which included the L210 based on the old Kaelble L260 design.

However, loading shovels are no longer featured in the company’s product portfolio today.

Here's a brief video clip from Atlas featuring the dealer meeting last year, keen eyed viewers may also spot the mini excavator range offering from Atlas which are badged Sunward machines.

We thank Geert for sharing these images with us here on the Digger Man Blog.