Ritscher 540
Built: 1951–1959 · Series: (500)
More machines from model year 1951
Ritscher (500) – implement-carrier range from Moisburg: 528 and 540, 20.5 to 29.4 kW / 28 to 40 hp, two- to three-cylinder engines of 2,356 to 3,354 cm³, 1,500 rpm
Ritscher was a German manufacturer based in Moisburg in Lower Saxony that built implement carriers during the 1950s and 1960s – multi-purpose vehicles with mounting spaces for interchangeable farm implements. The 500 range comprises the 528 and 540 models, whose type numbers name approximately the power in hp. The modular mounting of different tools made the implement carrier a versatile but technically more complex alternative to the classic standard tractor.
Read on 3 more paragraphs
The register lists here 2 versions with 20.5 to 29.4 kW, or 28 to 40 hp, from two- to three-cylinder engines of 2,356 to 3,354 cm³, an unladen weight of 1,590 to 2,200 kg, a length of 2,700 to 3,110 mm, a width of 1,720 to 1,820 mm, a height of 1,750 to 1,800 mm and a rated speed of 1,500 rpm.
Implement carriers of this kind were valued on smaller mixed farms and in market gardening, since a mower, plough or loader could be mounted at the front, rear or centre depending on the task. Implement carriers of this kind were also occasionally used by municipalities and in road works for sweeping and clearing tasks.
Buyers of used units should check the mounting spaces and lift mechanism for wear, as well as the engine, clutch and gearbox, and rust on the frame and bodywork; as the manufacturer no longer exists, spares can only be obtained through collectors and specialist restorers. Checking the PTO shafts and quick-couplers at the mounting points for wear also matters.
Sources: SpecCodex register, model data: Ritscher (500)
Technical data
Engine
| Fuel | dieselcorrect |
|---|---|
| Power | 40 hp (29.4 kW)correct |
| Rated speed | 1,500 rpmcorrect |
| Cylinders | 3correct |
| Displacement | 3,354 cm³correct |
| Bore | 100 mmcorrect |
| Stroke | 150 mmcorrect |
| Cooling | water-cooledcorrect |
Dimensions and weights
| Length | 3,110 mmcorrect |
|---|---|
| Width | 1,820 mmcorrect |
| Height | 1,800 mmcorrect |
| Wheelbase | 1,980 mmcorrect |
| Ground clearance | 430 mmcorrect |
| Unladen weight | 2,200 kgcorrect |
Drivetrain and chassis
| Drive | rear-wheel drivecorrect |
|---|---|
| Gearbox | 5/1correct |
| Forward gears | 5correct |
| Reverse gears | 1correct |
| Front tyres | 6.00-16; ab 1952 6.50-20correct |
| Rear tyres | 12.75; ab 1952 13-30 / 9-42correct |
| Top speed | 20 km/hcorrect |
Origin and approval
| Construction | frameless unit constructioncorrect |
|---|---|
| Units built | ca. 150correct |
Where this model stands
Power-to-weight ratio: 13.4 kW/t (29 kW / 2.2 t)
Power class: Compact (< 40 hp)
Stronger than 25% 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 Ritscher 540 have?
The Ritscher 540 delivers 40 hp.
How much does the Ritscher 540 weigh?
The unladen weight is 2,200 kg.
What engine does the Ritscher 540 have?
3 cylinders, 3,354 cm³ displacement, Diesel.
How fast does the Ritscher 540 go?
Top speed is 20 km/h.
What are the dimensions of the Ritscher 540?
3,110 mm × 1,820 mm × 1,800 mm.
When was the Ritscher 540 built?
Production years: 1951–1959.
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 25 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
Turn the model, look inside and click an assembly — each one is explained.