Holder B 12
Built: 8/1957–12/1967 · Series: B
More machines from model year 1957
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Holder B series – the small single-cylinder tractors from Metzingen, B 10 to B 16, 499 to 604 cc, 7.3 to 8.8 kW, kerb weight 495 to 715 kg
The Holder B series comes from the Metzingen-based maker Holder, which specialised early on in small, manoeuvrable tractors for special crops, market gardening and municipal work. The types listed here, B 10, B 12 and B 16, carry their power class in the name and form the small single-cylinder class of the range, with which Holder served customers outside the reach of the large agricultural-tractor makers. All three models are built around single-cylinder diesel engines that, despite their small displacement, were designed for drawbar work in narrow row crops and on small plots.
Read on 3 more paragraphs
The register lists 3 versions here with 7.3 to 8.8 kW, or 10 to 12 hp, from single-cylinder diesel engines of 499 to 604 cc at 2,100 to 2,200 revolutions per minute, kerb weights of 495 to 715 kg, lengths of 2,060 to 2,430 mm, a constant width of 830 mm and heights of 1,035 to 1,330 mm.
The B series served the market segment of small, manoeuvrable tractors needed in viticulture, fruit growing and municipal operations, where large agricultural tractors could not be used because of their width and turning circle; Holder consistently held this niche alongside larger makers for decades.
When buying a used B model, the key points are the condition of the single-cylinder engine and the injection pump, wear on clutch and steering, and corrosion on panels and chassis; since production runs were small, spare parts today are mainly available through dealers specialising in Holder and clubs for small vintage tractors.
Sources: SpecCodex register, model data: Holder B, Holder (manufacturer)
Technical data
Engine
| Fuel | dieselcorrect |
|---|---|
| Power | 12 hp (8.8 kW)correct |
| Rated speed | 2,100 rpmcorrect |
| Cylinders | 1correct |
| Displacement | 604 cm³correct |
| Cooling | air-cooledcorrect |
Dimensions and weights
| Length | 2,430 mmcorrect |
|---|---|
| Width | 830 mmcorrect |
| Height | 1,330 mmcorrect |
| Wheelbase | 1,415 mmcorrect |
| Ground clearance | 300 mmcorrect |
| Unladen weight | 715 kgcorrect |
Drivetrain and chassis
| Drive | rear-wheel drivecorrect |
|---|---|
| Gearbox | 6/1correct |
| Forward gears | 6correct |
| Reverse gears | 1correct |
| Front tyres | 4.00-15correct |
| Rear tyres | 6-24, 7-24, 8-24correct |
| Top speed | 18.7 km/hcorrect |
Origin and approval
| Construction | unit construction (no separate frame)correct |
|---|
Where this model stands
Power-to-weight ratio: 12.3 kW/t (9 kW / 0.7 t)
Power class: Compact (< 40 hp)
Stronger than 2% 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 Holder B 12 have?
The Holder B 12 delivers 12 hp.
How much does the Holder B 12 weigh?
The unladen weight is 715 kg.
What engine does the Holder B 12 have?
1 cylinders, 604 cm³ displacement, Diesel.
How fast does the Holder B 12 go?
Top speed is 18.7 km/h.
What are the dimensions of the Holder B 12?
2,430 mm × 830 mm × 1,330 mm.
When was the Holder B 12 built?
Production years: 8/1957–12/1967.
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 22 individual figures for this model. They come from 2 recorded sources; 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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