Eicher EKL 11/I ( II )
Built: 1953–1957 · Series: EKL
More machines from model year 1953
Not the right version? The data comes from vehicle registers holding many near-identical versions side by side. Photograph the data plate — we read make and type from it. Open the scanner e-mail address required
Eicher EKL – the Forchheim compact tractor of the 1950s: EKL 11 and EKL 15, single-cylinder diesel with 8 to 11 kW for small farms
With the EKL range, Eicher of Forchheim brought a compact tractor to market in the 1950s for smaller farms that could not, or did not want to, afford a large tractor. This page covers the three versions EKL 11/I (II), EKL 15/I and EKL 15/II, whose number indicates the approximate power class in hp.
Read on 3 more paragraphs
The register lists 3 versions here with 8 to 11 kW (15 to 16 hp) from a single-cylinder diesel engine of 786 to 1,415 cc displacement. Kerb weight ranges from 950 to 1,458 kg, length from 2,450 to 2,780 mm, width from 1,510 to 1,550 mm and height from 1,500 to 1,590 mm. Rated speed ranges from 1,500 to 2,100 rpm.
Compact tractors such as the Eicher EKL were aimed at part-time and small family farms switching from manual work to motorisation in the 1950s, without investing straight away in a large all-purpose tractor. In this market segment, the EKL models competed with similarly compact tractors from other West German makers of the time.
When buying a used Eicher EKL, check the condition of the single-cylinder engine, in particular compression and cylinder bore wear, wear on the clutch and the simple gearbox, and corrosion on the frame and bodywork after decades of use or storage. Spare parts for this early compact-tractor range are mainly available through Eicher collector circles and specialist vintage-tractor dealers.
Sources: SpecCodex register, model data: Eicher EKL
Technical data
Engine
| Fuel | dieselcorrect |
|---|---|
| Power | 11 hp (8 kW)correct |
| Rated speed | 2,100 rpmcorrect |
| Cylinders | 1correct |
| Displacement | 786 cm³correct |
| Cooling | air-cooledcorrect |
Dimensions and weights
| Length | 2,450 mmcorrect |
|---|---|
| Width | 1,510 mmcorrect |
| Height | 1,500 mmcorrect |
| Wheelbase | 1,620 mmcorrect |
| Ground clearance | 370 mmcorrect |
| Unladen weight | 950 kgcorrect |
Drivetrain and chassis
| Drive | rear-wheel drivecorrect |
|---|---|
| Gearbox | 5/1-Getriebecorrect |
| Front tyres | 4.5-16correct |
| Rear tyres | 7-24correct |
| Top speed | 19 km/hcorrect |
Origin and approval
| Construction | unit construction (no separate frame)correct |
|---|---|
| Units built | 2,188correct |
Where this model stands
Power-to-weight ratio: 8.4 kW/t (8 kW / 0.9 t)
Power class: Compact (< 40 hp)
Stronger than 1% 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 Eicher EKL 11/I ( II ) have?
The Eicher EKL 11/I ( II ) delivers 11 hp.
How much does the Eicher EKL 11/I ( II ) weigh?
The unladen weight is 950 kg.
What engine does the Eicher EKL 11/I ( II ) have?
1 cylinders, 786 cm³ displacement, Diesel.
How fast does the Eicher EKL 11/I ( II ) go?
Top speed is 19 km/h.
What are the dimensions of the Eicher EKL 11/I ( II )?
2,450 mm × 1,510 mm × 1,500 mm.
When was the Eicher EKL 11/I ( II ) built?
Production years: 1953–1957.
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.
- Check front and rear tyre sizes: mismatched pairs strain the drivetrain.
- 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 20 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) · How we check the data
Tractor in 3D section
Turn the model, look inside and click an assembly — each one is explained.
