Kaelble Z2 A
Built: 1932–1933 · Series: Z
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Kaelble Z – tractors and prime movers from Backnang (1930s to 1950s), Z1 Suevia to Z2 A with two- and three-cylinder crude-oil engines, 22 to 33 kW at 1,000 rpm
Kaelble built tractors and prime movers in Backnang near Stuttgart, whose Z series is listed here with the models Z1 Suevia AD 17, Z2, Z2 A and Z3. All four versions run crude-oil engines that could process cheaper, less refined oil instead of expensive petrol or diesel, at a rated speed of 1,000 rpm. After the Second World War, Kaelble was among the firms that carried pre-war technology forward with simple, robust crude-oil engines, before diesel engines took over the market.
Read on 3 more paragraphs
The register lists here 4 versions with 22.1 to 33.1 kW (30 to 45 hp) from two- and three-cylinder engines displacing 4,875 to 7,312 cc. Unladen weights range from 2,750 to 3,500 kg, length, width and height from 3,400 to 3,500 mm, 1,750 to 1,950 mm and 1,730 to 2,150 mm.
In the 1930s to 1950s, Kaelble was among the smaller German makers of prime movers, used alongside agriculture in construction and as heavy hauling tractors, before the company later moved into heavy construction vehicles and articulated dump trucks. Machines of this type were also used outside agriculture as shunting and heavy-duty haulage vehicles on factory premises.
When buying these pre-war and early post-war machines, what counts above all is the condition of the crude-oil engine and ignition system, the tightness of the cooling and fuel systems, and rust on the frame and bodywork; parts are now only obtainable through collectors and vintage-vehicle specialists.
Sources: SpecCodex register, model data: Kaelble Z
Technical data
Engine
| Fuel | Rohölcorrect |
|---|---|
| Power | 30 hp (22.1 kW)correct |
| Rated speed | 1,000 rpmcorrect |
| Cylinders | 2correct |
| Displacement | 4,875 cm³correct |
| Cooling | water-cooledcorrect |
Dimensions and weights
| Length | 3,400 mmcorrect |
|---|---|
| Width | 1,750 mmcorrect |
| Height | 1,730 mmcorrect |
| Wheelbase | 1,950 mmcorrect |
| Ground clearance | 320 mmcorrect |
| Unladen weight | 2,750 kgcorrect |
Drivetrain and chassis
| Drive | rear-wheel drivecorrect |
|---|---|
| Gearbox | 4V+Rcorrect |
| Top speed | 12 km/hcorrect |
Origin and approval
| Construction | frameless unit constructioncorrect |
|---|
Where this model stands
Power-to-weight ratio: 8 kW/t (22 kW / 2.8 t)
Power class: Compact (< 40 hp)
Stronger than 17% 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 Z2 A have?
The Kaelble Z2 A delivers 30 hp.
How much does the Kaelble Z2 A weigh?
The unladen weight is 2,750 kg.
What engine does the Kaelble Z2 A have?
2 cylinders, 4,875 cm³ displacement, Rohöl.
How fast does the Kaelble Z2 A go?
Top speed is 12 km/h.
What are the dimensions of the Kaelble Z2 A?
3,400 mm × 1,750 mm × 1,730 mm.
When was the Kaelble Z2 A built?
Production years: 1932–1933.
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 18 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: [1]
Tractor in 3D section
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