DE
Manufacturer: ACE
Artikelnummer: 85.003007
EAN-Code: 8900672010074
Recommended age: 14+
Material: Resin
Color: grey
Scale: 1:32
Length: 83 mm
Width: 45 mm
Height: 48 mm
Weight: 41 g
Although Josef Köpfli's tractors were only produced in small numbers during the years 1948 to 1964, the Köpfli tractor is now known far beyond the Swiss borders in the classic car scene. A particularly distinctive feature of the Köpfli tractors is the gear steering system patented by Josef Köpfli. With this type of front axle, the inner front wheel can be turned almost 90°. All moving parts of the steering gear run in an oil bath and are hermetically sealed against dirt, dust, water, etc. Thanks to this ingenious design, complete safety is guaranteed even at high speed. Compared to conventional all-steering systems patented by some other tractor manufacturers, the Köpfli steering system requires no bell cranks and pins that lead to premature excessive play. Equally distinctive is the design of Köpfli tractors. The front grille of the Köpfli hood, for example, is somewhat reminiscent of the front grille of the BMW automobile brand. For many years, the Köpfli tractors were equipped with Chevrolet 6-cylinder petrol engines, which gave the tractors another very special fascination. In later years, 4- and 6-cylinder diesel engines from Perkins were also installed.
Josef Köpfli was born on July 18, 1910 in Hohenrain LU as a farmer's son. In 1928 he began an apprenticeship as a bicycle mechanic in Willisau. Since the apprentice company in Willisau was closed down, he completed his apprenticeship as a car mechanic in Lucerne. After working for his brother in Unterwasser SG, Josef Köpfli got a job with the tractor manufacturer Hans Hürlimann in Wil SG in February 1932. In the course of time, he was able to take up the position of chief fitter in the production department, and subsequently, as a salesman, he was able to take over the supervision of the Hürlimann representatives in Central Switzerland and sold well over 500 Hürlimann tractors during this time. In addition, Josef Köpfli was also involved with various constructions. For example, the inventions of the Hürlimann all-wheel steering system, the Hürlimann single-wheel brake, and the Hürlimann power harrow owed much to Josef Köpfli's hard work.
Since Hans Hürlimann did not want to introduce the new invention of the Köpfli all-crane front axle with gear steering for his Hürlimann tractors, Josef Köpfli decided to leave the Hürlimann company and start building tractors himself. Thus, assembly of the first Köpfli tractors began as early as 1948 at Garage Jörg in Weesen SG. In order to increase the delivery possibilities, production was moved to the company Gebr. Mägerle in Uster as early as 1950. Since the company Mägerle was busy with the production of machine tools, the production was again transferred to the company SIG in Neuhausen. However, due to the great demand, SIG was also unable to create sufficient capacity. In 1953, Josef Köpfli moved his production for the last time to Maschinenfabrik Freienbach AG in the canton of Schwyz. After about 450 Köpfli tractors had been produced in Freienbach, production ceased in 1964 and the entire spare parts warehouse and production rights were sold to the Amweg company in Ammerswil AG.
Although Josef Köpfli's tractors were only produced in small numbers during the years 1948 to 1964, the Köpfli tractor is now known far beyond the Swiss borders in the classic car scene. A particularly distinctive feature of the Köpfli tractors is the gear steering system patented by Josef Köpfli. With this type of front axle, the inner front wheel can be turned almost 90°. All moving parts of the steering gear run in an oil bath and are hermetically sealed against dirt, dust, water, etc. Thanks to this ingenious design, complete safety is guaranteed even at high speed. Compared to conventional all-steering systems patented by some other tractor manufacturers, the Köpfli steering system requires no bell cranks and pins that lead to premature excessive play. Equally distinctive is the design of Köpfli tractors. The front grille of the Köpfli hood, for example, is somewhat reminiscent of the front grille of the BMW automobile brand. For many years, the Köpfli tractors were equipped with Chevrolet 6-cylinder petrol engines, which gave the tractors another very special fascination. In later years, 4- and 6-cylinder diesel engines from Perkins were also installed.
Josef Köpfli was born on July 18, 1910 in Hohenrain LU as a farmer's son. In 1928 he began an apprenticeship as a bicycle mechanic in Willisau. Since the apprentice company in Willisau was closed down, he completed his apprenticeship as a car mechanic in Lucerne. After working for his brother in Unterwasser SG, Josef Köpfli got a job with the tractor manufacturer Hans Hürlimann in Wil SG in February 1932. In the course of time, he was able to take up the position of chief fitter in the production department, and subsequently, as a salesman, he was able to take over the supervision of the Hürlimann representatives in Central Switzerland and sold well over 500 Hürlimann tractors during this time. In addition, Josef Köpfli was also involved with various constructions. For example, the inventions of the Hürlimann all-wheel steering system, the Hürlimann single-wheel brake, and the Hürlimann power harrow owed much to Josef Köpfli's hard work.
Since Hans Hürlimann did not want to introduce the new invention of the Köpfli all-crane front axle with gear steering for his Hürlimann tractors, Josef Köpfli decided to leave the Hürlimann company and start building tractors himself. Thus, assembly of the first Köpfli tractors began as early as 1948 at Garage Jörg in Weesen SG. In order to increase the delivery possibilities, production was moved to the company Gebr. Mägerle in Uster as early as 1950. Since the company Mägerle was busy with the production of machine tools, the production was again transferred to the company SIG in Neuhausen. However, due to the great demand, SIG was also unable to create sufficient capacity. In 1953, Josef Köpfli moved his production for the last time to Maschinenfabrik Freienbach AG in the canton of Schwyz. After about 450 Köpfli tractors had been produced in Freienbach, production ceased in 1964 and the entire spare parts warehouse and production rights were sold to the Amweg company in Ammerswil AG.
