Abega 40/45
Built: 1919–1921 · Series: Motorpflug
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Abega motor plough 40/45 – a heavy, self-propelled ploughing machine from the post-war years 1919 to 1921: single-cylinder engine of 40 hp at 320 rpm and 8,500 kg unladen weight
The motor plough was its own vehicle class in the years after the First World War: a heavy, self-propelled traction machine meant to replace the steam-plough sets and horse teams that had previously been common for ploughing large areas. The Abega 40/45 recorded here, from 1919 to 1921, belongs to this early phase of motorised ploughing.
Read on 3 more paragraphs
The motor plough is driven by a single-cylinder engine that delivers 40 hp and runs at a rated speed of 320 rpm, cooled by a water evaporator without pump circulation. At 8,500 kg unladen weight, with a two-speed gearbox and a design top speed of 7 km/h, the machine is built for pure tractive effort rather than travel speed.
The low rated speed of 320 rpm and the great weight are typical of early large single-cylinder engines, which developed their power through flywheel mass rather than high revs; evaporative cooling without a pump needed no sensitive mechanical parts but did require an adequate supply of cooling water and regular topping up. At a top speed of 7 km/h the motor plough moved across the field only at working pace, with no road transport in today's sense intended.
For a machine this old and rare, the preserved condition of the cylinder, cooling system and drivetrain matters most, since spare parts can practically no longer be sourced from any manufacturer or dealer. The frame, wheels and two-speed gearbox should be checked for cracking and play before considering a restoration or purely collector use.
Sources: SpecCodex-Register: Kennwerte des Modells Abega Motorpflug 40/45
Technical data
Engine
| Power | 40 hpcorrect |
|---|---|
| Rated speed | 320 rpmcorrect |
| Cylinders | 1correct |
| Cooling | water-cooledcorrect |
Dimensions and weights
| Unladen weight | 8,500 kgcorrect |
|---|
Drivetrain and chassis
| Drive | rear-wheel drivecorrect |
|---|---|
| Gearbox | 2/2correct |
| Top speed | 7 km/hcorrect |
Where this model stands
Power-to-weight ratio: 3.5 kW/t (29 kW / 8.5 t)
Power class: Compact (< 40 hp)
Stronger than 25% of the tractors in the register — out of 15,663 models with a stated power figure.
Calculated from the documented figures above — not a rating.
Frequently asked questions
How much power does the Abega 40/45 have?
The Abega 40/45 delivers 40 hp.
How much does the Abega 40/45 weigh?
The unladen weight is 8,500 kg.
What engine does the Abega 40/45 have?
1 cylinders.
How fast does the Abega 40/45 go?
Top speed is 7 km/h.
When was the Abega 40/45 built?
Production years: 1919–1921.
What to check before buying
- Check the hour meter against the service records — a replaced instrument is the most common gap.
- Compare the data plate and chassis number with the papers.
- Check the weights in the papers against the figures here — attachments change them.
- Shift the gearbox cold and warm — jumps only show up at temperature.
- Load the hydraulics and watch for sag.
- Ask about parts availability for this build year — the running costs hang on it.
A general list for this type of machine — no substitute for an inspection or an appraiser.
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This page carries 8 individual figures for this model. They come from 1 recorded source; every figure can be traced there. What we cannot document is not here — we leave gaps open rather than estimate them.
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Sources: [1]
Tractor in 3D section
Turn the model, look inside and click an assembly — each one is explained.