Hamilton Engine has been a proud Deutz Engine distributor since 1995. But Deutz began back in 1864. Deutz has always been a driver for change, and it shows if you look back at its history.

Their mission statement sums this up, "through pioneering spirit and innovation, DEUTZ shaped the industrial revolution. Now, we are driving the next revolution – delivering efficiency, performance, and sustainability for our customers." Keep reading to learn more about how Deutz has shaped the modern world.

First Engine Factory

In 1864 Otto and Langen started "N.A. Otto & Cie.", the world's first engine factory and the start of what is now DEUTZ AG. They laid the foundation for the world's motorization and the freedom of movement, without which our modern way of life would be inconceivable. Nicolaus August Otto had tried and failed a few times over the course of several years, starting in 1860, to perfect his four-stroke engine. Langen joins Otto in 1864, investing in Otto’s ideas and capabilities.

The Four-Stroke Engine

It was 1876 when Otto finally perfects his four-stroke engine. Little did he realize how important his invention would remain to this day. Almost all combustion engines, irrespective of the fuel they use, operate according to Otto's principle. Our modern way of life is unimaginable without these four strokes.

The four-stroke engine is effectively marketed with the slogan "Otto's new engine." At the same time, the international business powers up to full speed. The new DEUTZ power units are thus built and sold in England and the USA, sometimes under license, sometimes by its own subsidiary companies. The possible applications of the engines are many and varied.

Engines for Mobile Machines

At this point, engines were still dependent on the public gas supply network, a major problem that Otto wanted to solve. Engines were stationary because they required a pilot light like every street lamp. This made its use in mobile machines, like vehicles, impossible. This changes in 1884, when Otto introduces his low-voltage magneto ignition. The electrical ignition system allows engines to use fluid fuels for the first time. From this point on, DEUTZ continued to drive the engine market forward.

Important Milestones for DEUTZ

• 1892 - Starts manufacturing locomotives with combustion engines
• 1907 - Mass production of diesel engines begins
• 1926 - First mass-produced DEUTZ diesel tractor
• 1936 - Deutz joins the commercial vehicle market
• 1944 - Mass-production of the air-cooled diesel engine begins
• 1988 - first engine with an integrated cooling system (oil)
• 2010 - New generation of engines introduced. Deutz developed the ultra-compact series four-cylinder engine for those who need an engine in the lower power and price range
• 2015 - First engine manufacturer to promise its customers engines that comply with the EU emission directive Stage V
• 2017 - Deutz acquired electric drive specialist Toreqeedo and began focusing on integrated electric and hybrid drives

All information for this blog was sourced from the Deutz website.