Here is a few pics of the Atlas Cat 60 that Henry J. Kaiser fitted the first diesel engines to. This tractor was the first 60 built in 1927, the serial number is 3686A and was the last conversion remaining in service, working at the Pleasanton aggregate plant of Kaiser Paving, this tractor has undergone a total rebuild and is in amazing condition, the first thing to be done to it was to free off the siezed track assemblys this was accomplished by setting the tracks on fire with timber, to losen up the pins and bushes, the main chassis was found to be in fairly good order needing mainly elbow grease to achieve the high standard that it now is, the engine "The Atlas" was handed over to David White to refurbish as required. The Atlas engine was built primarily for use in a marine application, Henry Kaiser fitted the Atlas into the CAT as it was the only USA built engine of the required horse power size, the quality of the engine is Swiss watch standard with no gaskets used between the major components. There is quite a few differences between the CAT Atlases and the standard marine Atlases. One major difference is in the sump which is a work of art in itself, we are very pleased and proud to have this tractor in England.

Hello Tony
These engines look very similar to some of the engines I work on,the ENGLISH ELECTRIC RK6 of 350 hp as used in shunting locomotives.They are of simple design and last forever.

I bet the University of California would love that rare "Sixty" in their tractor collection?

Great Pictures, Thanks for sharing...

I am wondering where the starting engine is? Typically the Atlas engines were air started by a two cylinder engine-one cylinder was the gas engine and the second cylinder was the air compressor. I can see what looks like a heavy riveted air tank behind the seat.
The compressor engine shows up clearly in the picture of Dave Smiths. Looking close at Daves picture there was a canvas in the back ground like they do in alot of factory photos. Do you think Daves picture was of one of these tractors? In the picture it does not look like any paint is worn from the pads.
The story I have heard was that the "locals" that went to Brights auction where this one came from didn't value it that highly thinking that it was something that was assembled togather.
I drool every time I hear one of those big old Atlas engines run! What a great piece!

That is a beautiful piece of work and history. Thank you for the pictures.

hello al ,here is a story from a mag about the atlas cat ,bruce oz

smg.photobucket.com/albums/v712/bacol/atlas%20cat%2060/

Bruce Oz , that magazine is published very local to my home by a great chap called Tim Bolton from Worcester, my nearest Town, Tim is always at all the good shows and Cat/earthmoving events working hard to find good story's , I get his mag on a year deal and its one I look forward to reading,
tctractors.

Hi rivercity , the starting system on the Atlas engine is as you said by air , the usual system fitted on boats is with a small side engine to pre charge the air receiver to make the inital start , the engine is fitted with a compressor to fill/replenish the air tank ready for the next start, it could also be fitted with a hand pump to fill the air tank upto its starting pressure of 125/150psi, there was also a fuel pump, hand operated to raise the fuel pressure in the common fuel rail up to 200psi, all this had to be done before starting could take place,I know 3 Cat Sixtys also 3 Monarch tractors were fitted with the Atlas engine by Henry Kaiser, I did not know another Kaiser Cat Diesel Atlas had managed to surface, do you know the Serial No of this tractor??, anyhow at the Brights Auction the local Cat Collector had a great day , buying plenty of tractors for not much $$$$,tractor S' No 3686a has all the pedigree to follow it also the engine is not the same as the motor fitted to the boat , it has better enclosures to keep out the dust and weather,the sump is different and a work of engineering art in itself, it has been researched in great depth to help with the restoration of this tractor,the Dollar cost would be indescreet to discuss other than it was worth every cent ,
tctractors

Hi TC, I don't know the serial number of the one Dave Smith has a picture of. The picture was purchased off of ebay. The engine in his picture is much more crude and is like the Atlas boat engines and has a small compressor on the side.
I have had the pleasure of running a Atlas boat engine and listening to several run. I can't even IMAGINE how great it would be to get to run one in a Cat. Almost worth a trip across the pond just to get to see and hear that one run!
Do you know of any others? Cheers- Michael Schlag