Rare Fiat-Allis FD-50 Discovered

Our friend, roving plant enthusiast and photographer Anthony Lucibello, has unearthed another amazing find while out an about in in the United States.

Anthony came across this veteran Fiat-Allis FD-50 dozer which is currently parked up at a very snowy coal mine in Pennsylvania.

Information on the FD-50 is hard to come by, but what we do know is that it was the upgrade replacement for the 70-tonne class Fiat-Allis 41-B model first launched in 1974, which we have featured on numerous occasions on the blog, including one where Anthony had found one of at rest.

The FD-50 was first launched in 1982 and production ran until 1989. The machine was virtually identical to the old 41-B model in size but was heavier weighing in around 80-tonnes, the new model also featured a more powerful 550hp Cummins VT28-C diesel engine. Compared to the 524hp unit fitted in the 41-B.

Fitted with an 18-20 ft blade, the FD-50 proved to be a very popular machine in the coal mines across Pennsylvania so it comes as no surprise that this one is still kicking around in that area.

According to historical construction machine author and legend Keith Haddock, market conditions softened in the 1980s for Fiat-Allis, and as previously mentioned the FD-50 was discontinued by 1989 when the company transferred all its earthmoving equipment manufacturing to Italy. The company maintained a sales and parts organization to market imported machines until it was absorbed into CNH Global in 1999.

Check out this old video from PA Mining, taken some 11 years ago that features an FD-50 in action working side by side with a Caterpillar D11R. The FD-50 makes its first appearance in the video around the 1.29-minute mark.

The Digger Man Blog would like to thank Anthony Lucibello for kindly sharing his great photos of this rare old beast.