REPORT: Claas Atles 936 RZ versus Axion 960 Terra Trac: Rugged and strong in spring green dress. When Claas started putting its name on conventional tractors, the former Renault Atles was the biggun. We see how time has moved on with a look at its modern day successor, the half tracked Axion 960 Terra Trac.
We start with a little history lesson: Claas had been pursuing the idea of having its own tractor since the late 1950s – launching the Jumbo or the HSG Trac before finally having success with the first Xerion system tractors and distributing the Caterpillar Challenger. But this still wasn’t the complete tractor offering Claas wanted. This all changed with a bang in 2003 when it announced the takeover of Renault’s tractor business. Initially this was a 51% stake, with 100% ownership in 2008, which coincidentally is the last year the Atles was produced.
Upper class models
This marked the beginning of a comprehensive programme that included small vineyard models at one end of the scale, and the large Xerion at the top end. The biggest wheeled model was the Atles 946 RZ, which at the time of the takeover was the most powerful Renault of all time!
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