need info on large fiat

Soundguy · Dec 21, 2003

I just got home from work, and again.. I've spooted another tractor on the side of the road that needed 'smelling'.

This one was full grown.. Fiat.. dual rears, 4 remotes, cat 2 hitch, full enclosed cab, ac, 2wd, PS. Painted orange sheet metal, white chassie. I couldn't find a serial number or model number on the machine anywhere. I could make out one decal in the operators cabin.. was written in another language.. so I'll gues imported model?

I had a little 5' box blade attatched to the back of it.. looked real funny, as this tractor is the size of ..oh.. roughly a ford 8000 or so.. maybee a 7000 series... or at least inbetween.

Can anyone even vebture to guess at what model this might be .. any ideas are appreciated. Sign said ran good, cold ac. I didn't see any leaking diesel or oil / hyd fluid under the machine. Some of the operators cabin is in disaray.. like the foam insulation on the roof is a bit rough.. it once had a radio and has been removed.. seat needs re-upholstered.

It appears to be missing quite a few running lights.. though all the sheet metal is straight.. no direct collisions with trees I guess. Had a massive weight plate holder at the front.. must have held 10 large suitcase weights.

Ironically when i told my wife about it.. she said.."now thats a tractor, I might even learn to drive .. cab and ac...
so there I am... I can't get here near my NH 1920, ford 8n or NAA, JD B, or my IH cub.. yet the last two HUGE tractors I looked at ( a ford 8000 earlier this year ) and this fiat she gets interested in...Go figure... I don't even have a trailer big enough to haul this beast.. I'm guessing it is about 4 - 4.5 tons..... and not only that...I've only got 13.2 ac anyway... I can see the neighbors now.. they'll think I've flipped If I came pulling up in that thing with say. a 10, 12, or 15' mower on it. I guess it ~would~ cut my mowing time down from 5 hours to uh.. 2 hours?.. I'm not sure whether this is an absurd thought.. or one of those good deals... etc.. any of y'all get the idea that I got too much sun this summer?
thanks guys.

c.britton@att.net

soundguy

Woodbeef · Dec 21, 2003

Is it a Hesston by anychance? It could be any number of Fiat models,but since you say it is as big as a Ford 8000,I'd say it could be a Hesston 980 or bigger. Could also be one of them Menard special orphans from South America. Or could be a pure gray market Fiat . See if you can find one that looks like it on www.puddingsworld.com or www.farmphoto.com

Soundguy · Dec 21, 2003

It did have oem Fiat tags all over it. Were fiat's only grey market?

And how is parts availability in general.. any idea?

thanks

Soundguy

CMunger · Dec 21, 2003

Soundguy- Sparex Inc. is a large distributer of after market Ag tractor parts, and carries alot of Fiat. Phone number is 800-443-6472, and they can give you a phone number of a dealer in your area.
Chuck M.

Woodbeef · Dec 21, 2003

Have you been able to match any pictures yet from either of those sites? Was the tractor flat and square,whith a factory cab and doors on a bit of an angle that opened from the front? If so it is a Hesston. If the tractor is more rounded and resembles a bigger Oliver 1365/White 1370/2-60 then it is a Fiat. I do not think it is a Fiat Winner though from your descripition(plus I've never seen a 2wd Winner either). Pure Fiats outside of the 411 and Winners were gray market except for Quebec. Try getting ahold of DSL he has a site,and sells Fiat parts. DSL is a Fiat Guru http://www.sphosting.com/dsl/index.html

Soundguy · Dec 21, 2003

I called on it today and the owner only knew it was 130 hp, and was early 80's.. like 82 or 83. Cab is factory ( or looks it ). I didn't see any pictures that looked like it. I'll try to snap a pic if I can tomorrow.

Soundguy

Egon · Dec 22, 2003

Soundguy:

Sounds like your nibbling may turn into a bite pretty soon.

Egon

Woodbeef · Dec 22, 2003

At this point with out a picture,I'd say then it might be a Hesston 1380. They were sold over here from 1981-85,and were 123 pto hp. The Hesstons were painted a color called terracotta,as in tile. Does it resemble this one?

Soundguy · Dec 22, 2003

That looks very close. I'll get a pic on the way home.

souNdguy

BillG_in_TX · Dec 22, 2003

<font color="blue">.. yet the last two HUGE tractors I looked at ... she gets interested in...Go figure... </font>

Soundguy,

According to all the spam I get - "bigger is better". Maybe there's a connection? /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif