During the war, about 80% of MAN’s factory buildings were destroyed, but production equipment and spare parts stock were stored in the countryside. A few trucks were built in Nuremberg as early as 1945. Before the war, MAN’s tractor production had focused on large models, but now there was demand rather for smaller tractors. As early as 1941, MAN had introduced a prototype of a 25-horsepower tractor, which was now taken into further development. Familiar solutions ended up on the drawing board, such as a frameless design where the engine is a load-bearing part. Production began in 1948, which was early compared to many competing German brands. The AS 325 H had a 2.7-liter water-cooled, direct-injection four-cylinder diesel engine and a ZF 5-speed transmission. The tractor was well-equipped: it included, among other things, a differential lock, steering brakes, a leaf-sprung front axle, 12-volt electrical system, and a speedometer. The marketing name chosen was Ackerdiesel (=field diesel). The tractor’s color was more turquoise-tinged than the previous green.

At the very beginning, a four-wheel-drive model, the AS 325 A, was also introduced, which was one of the first German four-wheel-drive tractors. Power for the front wheels was taken from the side of the transmission. The front wheels were only slightly larger than on the rear-wheel-drive model.

In 1950, the AS 330 was introduced alongside, with the engine capacity increased to 2.9 liters and power to 30 horsepower. The majority of production was four-wheel-drive models. The AS 330 A is probably the first four-wheel-drive tractor imported to Finland. Cheaper competing brands flooded the market, and MAN did not achieve a very high market share with rear-wheel-drive tractors.

In 1952, the AS 430 was introduced, featuring a 6-speed transmission and more powerful brakes, as well as the AS 440, where the engine speed was increased from 1500 to 2000 rpm. Power rose to 40 horsepower. An optional lowering crawler gear was available, which also allowed the power take-off speed to be reduced from 735 to 550. The same engine, enhanced by another 2 horsepower, was installed in larger frames in the AS 542 model. It also had a sturdier transmission and rear axle.

This is an automated translation. Please report any issues in the translation.

Tractors

MAN AS 325 – AS 542

In the years 1956 and 1957, MAN renewed the tractor model designations. The letters in alphabetical order F/K/L/N/R/S/T indicated the size class. At the front was a 2 or 4 depending on the number of driving wheels. At the end was a running number starting from 1 for the model version. In 1956, the engines were the same M-engines as in the previous models, but in 1957 the displacement increased. The external dimensions of the new models were significantly larger in every direction. A dual clutch was available as an optional extra. The gearboxes and range gears were from ZF, the lifting devices and electrical equipment were produced by Bosch.

In the S-models, power rose to the 50 hp class (the same tractor had already been introduced at the end of the previous model series under the name A 50 A). The largest MAN tractor was the 60-horsepower 4 T 1, but only 9 units of those were produced. With the new models, the annual production volume of MAN tractors rose from around 3,000 units to a peak year of 1959 with a total of 6,887 tractors.

This is an automated translation. Please report any issues in the translation.

MAN N1 – T1

By the 1960s, MAN made decisions to improve the profitability of its tractor production. Small models were gradually phased out, and focus was placed on three power categories: 28, 35, and 45 hp. New models introduced at the end of 1960 were the 3-cylinder, 35-horsepower P-models. The appearance was modernized to a more streamlined look, and the design returned to a lower and shorter concept, which was now based on a medium-length chassis. The engine was 1.9 liters, whereas the previous P-model had a 3.9-liter engine. Correspondingly, the torque figures were significantly weaker than before. The gearbox chosen was the latest ZF 8+4-speed. The lifting capacity was reduced to 1.2 tons. Prices were still 10 to 20% above those of competitors.

In 1961, 4-cylinder R-models were introduced, retaining a 2000 kg lifting device, as well as 2-cylinder N-models (28 hp). All four-wheel drive models came standard with a dual clutch. In Finland, this MAN model range was sold by OTK. The SAE power ratings for the P- and R-models were listed here as 39 and 50 hp. Approximately 400 MAN tractors were sold in Finland, of which nearly all were four-wheel drive.

Unlike tractor production, MAN’s truck production grew strongly in the early 1960s. In the summer of 1962, a decision was made to sell the tractor production to the Mannesmann Group, which had already acquired Porsche-Diesel. Mannesmann planned for MAN, focused on heavier tractors, to complement the Porsche range. However, the end result was that the last MAN tractor was produced in February 1963.

This is an automated translation. Please report any issues in the translation.

MAN N1 – R3

In 1957, when MAN tractor production moved to Munich, the rear-wheel-drive model of the B 18 was replaced by the 2 K 1 model. The four-wheel-drive model followed only in 1959. During this period, the range of small tractors was expanded in both directions. Still in 1957, the 24-horsepower 2 L 1 was introduced. At the beginning of 1958, the 13-horsepower 2 F 1 came out, whose engine was, unlike the others, air-cooled. The 2 F 1 was also the first model to feature a redesigned hood shape curved in all directions. All small models had an engine based on the Güldner design, but with MAN’s M-injection method. The transmission was a 6-speed ZF, which was also used in, among others, Güldner and Fahr tractors. The main focus for the small models was now, for the first time, on rear-wheel-drive versions, and sales were significantly increased.

MAN also invested in road tractors aimed at towing full trailers. Therefore, on the small tractors, the lifting device was still an optional extra and had a modest lifting capacity (350 kg) compared to the bigger models' 2-ton lifting capacity. The weight transfer system was not present in the small MAN tractors. In 1960, the 4 L 2 model introduced a 600-kilogram lifting capacity. Earlier versions generally had a longer wheelbase, and short-wheelbase versions, such as the 2 K 3 and 2 L 3, were initially introduced as export models. The long-wheelbase model 2 L 5 also had a 235 kg hydraulic system between the axles. The era of small MAN tractors came to an end in 1962. These models accounted for over half of production, but competition was too strong to make production profitable.

This is an automated translation. Please report any issues in the translation.

MAN 2 F 1 – 2 L 5

In the autumn of 1955, MAN's truck, bus, and tractor production moved to Munich, into the former BMW aircraft engine factory. Only engine production remained in Nuremberg. At the same time, a renewed tractor lineup was introduced, featuring M engines. In these engines, fuel was injected onto the walls of the spherical combustion chamber. The intake air was swirled, mixing with the fuel on the combustion chamber walls. The main advantage of this method was the engine's quietness. MAN's tractor range still focused on fairly large and well-equipped four-wheel drive tractors. The power classes in the new lineup remained the same as before. Also, in the four-wheel drive models, the front axle was suspended and front fenders were standard equipment. At this stage, tractor-patterned front tires also started to appear. The A 45 was an intermediate model produced for only half a year and still had the old engine.

In 1956, the stroke length of the engines was increased. The maximum power remained unchanged but was achieved at a lower engine speed. Also in 1956, the 2-cylinder four-wheel drive tractor A 25 A was introduced. It featured ZF's continuous engagement 5+1 gearbox.

This is an automated translation. Please report any issues in the translation.

MAN A 25 – B 45

At the beginning of 1955, the MAN AS 718 was replaced by the B 18. The engine was still a 2-cylinder Güldner. One smaller gear was added to the ZF transmission, and due to the new gearbox, the wheelbase increased by 5 centimeters.

In the autumn of 1955, despite its Güldner engine, the smallest model in the lineup also received the M engine introduced in other MAN tractors, where fuel was injected onto the walls of the combustion chamber. The engine was quieter than before and, at least according to advertisements, also more economical.

In 1956, a rear-wheel-drive model, the D 18 H, also entered production.

This is an automated translation. Please report any issues in the translation.

MAN B 18

The market share of MAN tractors in Germany fell to a couple of percent, as there were plenty of competitors and the highest sales volumes were concentrated in the smallest class of tractors in a country with 5 million farms. MAN wanted to bring its four-wheel drive expertise to this size category as well. The engine was obtained from Güldner, with whom it already had a collaboration. The 2-cylinder pre-chamber diesel engine had a power output of 18 hp. The transmission was a 5-speed ZF.

This is an automated translation. Please report any issues in the translation.

MAN AS 718

More from this manufacturer

Abati Titanium

Acam

Ackermeister

Acremaster

Aebi

Aecherli

Aérocentre

Agco

Agco-Allis

Agcostar

Agra Farmer

AgraCat

Agrale

Agrar

Agratrac

Agri

Agri Boss

Agri King

Agri-Power

Agria

Agricat

Agrico

Agrifarm

Agrifull

Agrinar

Agrindo

Agrip

Agrisa-Bungartz

Agrison

Agritec

Agritech

Agromash

Agroservis

Agrostroj/Agrozet

Agtor

AgTrac

AH-Goldoni

Airone

Al-Frat

Al-Ghazi

Al-Jadah

Al Jahad

Allgaier

Allgaier-Suisse

Allis-Chalmers

Alpenland

Alpina Oekonom

Altai

Amat-Calvet

Amobil

AMOG

Angad

Ansaldo

Ansaldo Fossati

Antar

Antonio Carraro

Apache Solis

Aprile

Arbos

Arbos Bubba

Arjun

ArmaTrac

Arnoux

Arvid

Ascot Universal

Asian Tractors

Astoa

Austin-Leyland

Austrak

Austro

Aveling-Marshall

Avenger

Avery

Avto

B.M.B President

Babiole

Baldwin

Baltiets

Balwan

Bamford

Barreiros

Basak

Bauchet

Bautz

Bean

Harkov

Vladimirets

Kirovets

YuMZ

Belarus

Bell

Benye

Beriko

Bernard

Bernardin

Bernson

Big Bud

Recently added machines

Send feedback

Welcome to the beta version of Koneviesti's new Konedata service! The service offers technical data for over 8000 tractors and combines. We are actively developing the service, so we appreciate your feedback.