A tractor for the ages

The promotional material from the 1950s talked about its long service life. And true enough, there are models of the M.A.N. 2 F1 tractor that are still in use today.

The first M.A.N. 2 F1 left the factory hall in November 1957. The designers had endowed the tractor with a range of attributes that certainly contributed to its popularity with customers: The plan was to manufacture a quiet, air-cooled and fuel-efficient tractor that was known for having a particularly long service life.

Unlike the M.A.N. tractors that had come onto the market before this model, performance was not the primary focus with the M.A.N. 2 F1: It was not a four-wheel drive tractor, nor did it offer a high level of horsepower. With a maximum of 13 hp at a speed of 2,300 rpm, this lightweight tractor was one of the so-called “farm tractors”, which were seen as all-purpose tractors for use on smaller farms. It was also well suited to the additional vehicle role on larger farms.

In fact, the agile assistant, which went into series production at the company Güldner in 1958, was a top seller. With 2,499 units manufactured within 12 months, the 2 F1 surpassed all other M.A.N. models in terms of numbers of units. Another special feature that set the 2 F1 apart from other tractors from M.A.N. was that it was built as a forwarding tractor, meaning that tools could be mounted between its axles.

Our M.A.N 2 F1 is still slogging away to this day

In addition to the 13 hp version, the M.A.N. tractor was also available in a 14 hp version. One of a total of 6,041 units is owned by MAN fan and Trucker’s World member, Peter Nötzel. He thinks the world of his M.A.N. 2 F1. That’s why he also sent us a photo of his farming tractor and reminded us that these practical helpers were once part of the portfolio of truck giant MAN. He bought his tractor, which was built in 1960, for EUR 1,500 from a farmer in the Westerwald region of Germany in 2009. “It has been painstakingly restored and I use it in my private life. Most of the time I use it for transporting wood from the forest or disposing of greenery and branch cuttings,” explains Peter. He also attends tractor and vintage car rallies on a regular basis, mainly in the Westerwald region. As a true tractor enthusiast, he is also a member of the Wahlrod Tractor Fan Club, which organises its own tractor rally every two years. “There are 38 tractors, but only one of them is an MAN and that’s my one,” reveals Peter with some pride. Anyone who sees his beautiful farming tractor will inevitably find themselves thinking about the description in the advertising brochure from 1960: The elegant design and, not least, the world-renowned M.A.N. quality standards ensure its lasting value for years to come.

Note: some of the information and images come from the historical archive of MAN Truck & Bus SE