Carl Kaelble Z 4 S
Built: 1932–1940 · Series: Z
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Carl Kaelble Z series: heavy tractor units from Backnang with crude-oil engines, from the Z 1 Suevia AD 17 to the Z 4 S, 8.8 to 44.1 kW from one- to four-cylinder units
Carl Kaelble, based in Backnang, was a German maker of heavy tractor units that specialised in rugged crude-oil engines – hot-bulb units running on cheap, hard-to-ignite crude oil rather than petrol or diesel, built for hard work in construction and haulage. This page collects the marque's Z series, from the Z 1 Suevia AD 17 to the Z 4 S; the Z stands for Zugmaschine (tractor unit), with the attached number denoting the size class.
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The register lists 2 versions from 8.8 to 44.1 kW from one- to four-cylinder units of 2,454 to 9,748 cm³ displacement, running at 1,000 rpm. One of the recorded machines weighs 4,300 kg at a length of 3,500 mm, a width of 1,950 mm and a height of 2,150 mm.
Tractor units of this kind handled heavy road haulage in the first half of the twentieth century before conventional diesel-engined lorries displaced them; Kaelble also built heavy dumpers and construction machinery alongside them. Crude-oil technology freed the vehicles from expensive fuel but demanded careful pre-heating of the hot bulb before starting.
When buying a used example, check the condition of the hot bulb and cylinder liners, the tightness of the cooling system, the state of clutch and gearbox, and corrosion on the frame and tow hitch. Parts for these early crude-oil engines are scarce and mostly available only through specialist collectors and restoration workshops, and a solid understanding of hot-bulb technology is essential when restoring one.
Sources: SpecCodex register, model data: Carl Kaelble Z
Technical data
Engine
| Fuel | Rohölcorrect |
|---|---|
| Power | 60 hp (44.1 kW)correct |
| Rated speed | 1,000 rpmcorrect |
| Cylinders | 4correct |
| Displacement | 9,748 cm³correct |
| Cooling | water-cooledcorrect |
Dimensions and weights
| Length | 3,500 mmcorrect |
|---|---|
| Width | 1,950 mmcorrect |
| Height | 2,150 mmcorrect |
| Wheelbase | 2,265 mmcorrect |
| Unladen weight | 4,300 kgcorrect |
Drivetrain and chassis
| Drive | rear-wheel drivecorrect |
|---|---|
| Gearbox | 4V+Rcorrect |
| Top speed | 32 km/hcorrect |
Origin and approval
| Construction | frameless unit constructioncorrect |
|---|---|
| Units built | 118correct |
Where this model stands
Power-to-weight ratio: 10.3 kW/t (44 kW / 4.3 t)
Power class: Universal (40–100 hp)
Stronger than 41% 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 Carl Kaelble Z 4 S have?
The Carl Kaelble Z 4 S delivers 60 hp.
How much does the Carl Kaelble Z 4 S weigh?
The unladen weight is 4,300 kg.
What engine does the Carl Kaelble Z 4 S have?
4 cylinders, 9,748 cm³ displacement, Rohöl.
How fast does the Carl Kaelble Z 4 S go?
Top speed is 32 km/h.
What are the dimensions of the Carl Kaelble Z 4 S?
3,500 mm × 1,950 mm × 2,150 mm.
When was the Carl Kaelble Z 4 S built?
Production years: 1932–1940.
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.
We do not sell machines. We ask the dealers who carry this model and come back with price and lead time.
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This page carries 17 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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Other models in this series
Sources: Wikibooks Traktorenlexikon (CC BY-SA 4.0) (retrieved August 2026) · Values adopted and presented in our own form; changes from the source are possible. · How we check the data
Tractor in 3D section
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