Ahlmann gives new name to swing loader

After 35 years, type designation AZ also changes to AS in the Netherlands

The AZ series of swing loaders is going to disappear - at least in name. Ahlmann Nederland is moving away from the familiar type designation with the letters AZ (from Ahlmann Zwenklader) and from this year will present a renewed series of swing loaders with the international designation AS used by manufacturer Mecalac.

The design of the two medium swing loaders AZ 75f (henceforth AS 850) and AZ 95f (henceforth AS 1000) has now been changed. Technically, the changes to the new series are limited to the shovel arm and a slightly redesigned hood. Thus, the familiar monoboom is replaced by a "more traditional shovel arm," as we know it from, for example, the AZ 150f and an earlier model such as the AZ 85(t). The biggest change towards users, however, will be the new designation.

The new type designations of the swing loaders will be as follows, according to Peter van Keulen (Public Relations at Ahlmann Nederland): "The AZ 55f becomes AS 600, the AZ 75f becomes AS 850 and the AZ 95f becomes AS 1000. The AZ 95f tele, AZ 150f and AZ 210f will not be updated until later." The space between the AS 600 and the AS 850 will be filled with the AS 750.

Express wish

So with the arrival of the new machines, it will say goodbye to the AZ type designation long used in our country. Ahlmann Nederland, the well-known Ammerzoden-based Dutch importer/dealer of the swing loaders, obviously regrets having to make this choice. After all, the AZ series swing loaders have been a fixture in the Netherlands for decades. However, there is also understanding in Ammerzoden, as we hear from Peter van Keulen: "Because of Mecalac's explicit wish and the administrative hassle with the technical documentation, CE approval, registration and the like, the modification was the best option for all parties."

New models

By the way, the AS designation is not entirely new, Peter recalls, "When Ahlmann Netherlands started its import activities, the Ahlmann swing loader AS 7 was soon the most popular type. The moment this machine received a facelift, it became the AS 7 B type. When the all-new successor was introduced in 1986, the factory named it AS 7C/S. At the time, Ahlmann Nederland felt that the type designation did not sufficiently show that this was a completely new model, and this machine was renamed AZ 9. From that year, in the Netherlands, the "S" of Schwenklader was replaced by the "Z" of zwenklader.