Kaelble R 18
Built: 1946–1952 · Series: R
More machines from model year 1946
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Kälble R 18 – single-cylinder diesel with evaporative cooling, 1.84-litre displacement, 18 hp and a weight of 1,800 kg, from the post-war era (1946–1952).
Kälble is a German vehicle manufacturer based in Backnang, best known for heavy trucks and tippers. In the first post-war years the company also built smaller farm tractors, such as the R series, to which the R 18 belongs, produced between 1946 and 1952.
Read on 3 more paragraphs
The R 18 is powered by a single-cylinder diesel engine with a displacement of 1,840 cm³, running on evaporative cooling instead of a radiator with a water pump. It delivers 18 hp, or 13.3 kW, at 1,500 rpm. With a weight of 1,800 kg, a wheelbase of 1,500 mm and a width of 1,480 mm, the tractor, at 2,600 mm long and 1,500 mm tall, is compactly built, with a top speed of 19 km/h.
Evaporative cooling was common in simple single-cylinder diesels in the immediate post-war years, as it needs no water pump, radiator or fan, making it robust and low-maintenance, at the cost of build height and water consumption. Tractors of this design were built for smallholder farming during the reconstruction years, with simple mechanics and a low weight suited to heavy soils where modern draught machinery was not available.
When buying a used R 18, the condition of the coolant tank and the steam pipe is critical, since leaks in an evaporative cooling system quickly lead to engine damage. The single-cylinder engine should be checked for compression and bearing play, and the clutch for wear. Spare parts for this early series are today mostly only available through specialist vintage-vehicle parts dealers.
Sources: SpecCodex-Register: Kennwerte des Modells Kälble R 18
Technical data
Engine
| Fuel | dieselcorrect |
|---|---|
| Power | 18 hp (13.3 kW)correct |
| Rated speed | 1,500 rpmcorrect |
| Cylinders | 1correct |
| Displacement | 1,840 cm³correct |
| Cooling | water-cooledcorrect |
Dimensions and weights
| Length | 2,600 mmcorrect |
|---|---|
| Width | 1,480 mmcorrect |
| Height | 1,500 mmcorrect |
| Wheelbase | 1,500 mmcorrect |
| Ground clearance | ca. 350mm mmcorrect |
| Unladen weight | 1,800 kgcorrect |
Drivetrain and chassis
| Drive | rear-wheel drivecorrect |
|---|---|
| Gearbox | 4/1correct |
| Front tyres | 5.5-16correct |
| Rear tyres | 8-20correct |
| Top speed | 19 km/hcorrect |
Working data
| Fuel tank capacity | 28 lcorrect |
|---|
Where this model stands
Power-to-weight ratio: 7.4 kW/t (13 kW / 1.8 t)
Power class: Compact (< 40 hp)
Stronger than 6% 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 Kaelble R 18 have?
The Kaelble R 18 delivers 18 hp.
How much does the Kaelble R 18 weigh?
The unladen weight is 1,800 kg.
What engine does the Kaelble R 18 have?
1 cylinders, 1,840 cm³ displacement, Diesel.
How fast does the Kaelble R 18 go?
Top speed is 19 km/h.
What are the dimensions of the Kaelble R 18?
2,600 mm × 1,480 mm × 1,500 mm.
When was the Kaelble R 18 built?
Production years: 1946–1952.
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 19 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.