Wahl W12
Built: 1953–1958 · Series: Keine bestimmte Baureihe
More machines from model year 1953
W12 by Wahl: single-cylinder engine rated at 8.8 kW (12 hp) with combined water-air cooling, built between 1953 and 1958.
The Wahl W12 belongs to the class of simple single-cylinder tractors of the 1950s, of the kind smaller manufacturers built for affordable basic mechanisation of small farms.
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The W12 is powered by a single-cylinder engine of 850 cm³ displacement, delivering 8.8 kW (12 hp) at 2,000 rpm. At an unladen weight of 935 kg, a height of 1,290 mm, a length of 2,420 mm and a top speed of 22.8 km/h, the tractor is a very light, compact small tractor with combined water and air cooling.
Single-cylinder tractors of this power class were simply built and easy to maintain, with correspondingly limited pulling power for light field work and driving small implements. The combination of water and air cooling was a pragmatic solution typical of this transitional period.
On a used W12, it is worth checking the single-cylinder engine's compression and the functioning of both cooling systems, since combined cooling is harder to diagnose when faulty than a simple solution. The availability of parts for this rare engine should also be established beforehand. A test drive and a check of every lever and control also belong to a thorough inspection. The overall condition of the paint and sheet metal also gives clues about how the machine was stored over the years. Complete documentation of earlier repairs further helps in judging the machine's true condition.
Sources: SpecCodex-Register: Kennwerte des Modells W12
Technical data
Engine
| Fuel | dieselcorrect |
|---|---|
| Power | 12 hp (8.8 kW)correct |
| Rated speed | 2,000 rpmcorrect |
| Cylinders | 1correct |
| Displacement | 850 cm³correct |
| Cooling | water-cooledcorrect |
Dimensions and weights
| Length | 2,420 mmcorrect |
|---|---|
| Width | 1,685 mmcorrect |
| Height | 1,290 mmcorrect |
| Ground clearance | 385 mmcorrect |
| Unladen weight | 935 kgcorrect |
Drivetrain and chassis
| Drive | rear-wheel drivecorrect |
|---|---|
| Gearbox | 5v/1rcorrect |
| Forward gears | 5correct |
| Reverse gears | 1correct |
| Front tyres | 4, 50-16correct |
| Rear tyres | 8, 3/24correct |
| Top speed | 22.8 km/hcorrect |
Working data
| Fuel tank capacity | 20 lcorrect |
|---|
Origin and approval
| Construction | unit construction (no separate frame)correct |
|---|---|
| Units built | 4,000correct |
Where this model stands
Power-to-weight ratio: 9.4 kW/t (9 kW / 0.9 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 Wahl W12 have?
The Wahl W12 delivers 12 hp.
How much does the Wahl W12 weigh?
The unladen weight is 935 kg.
What engine does the Wahl W12 have?
1 cylinders, 850 cm³ displacement, Diesel.
How fast does the Wahl W12 go?
Top speed is 22.8 km/h.
What are the dimensions of the Wahl W12?
2,420 mm × 1,685 mm × 1,290 mm.
When was the Wahl W12 built?
Production years: 1953–1958.
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 23 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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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.
