RS 01

The first East German tractor to go into series production was the RS 01/40. It was based on the XL diesel tractor manufactured by the Famo tractor factory before the war. It was upgraded to the RS 01 by former Famo engineers in Schönebeck and production began at the Horsch factory in Zwickau in 1949. A year later, production moved to the former Normag tractor factory in Nordhausen, and it was named the RS 01/40 Pionier.

The tractor was frameless, meaning the 4F 145 BE engine was part of the supporting structure. This four-cylinder diesel had a displacement of 5.0 liters and produced 40 hp. The engine was started with gasoline and a crank. There were 5+1 gears. A power take-off dependent on the drive clutch was standard equipment and a belt pulley was an option. The front axle was sprung and drum brakes on the differential shaft could be used as a steering brake.

From 1953 onwards, the engine was started using compressed air. In 1957, the improved RS 01/40 Harz was introduced. The power was increased to 42 horsepower and a 24 V starter motor was added to the equipment. The gearbox was an improved model and a hydraulic lifting device was a novelty.

Of the early GDR tractors, the Pionier was the most functional, but heavy for its power. A total of almost 25,000 of them were produced.