Fiat 55-66 Daily Tractor

Written by: C Blackmore.
Fiat’s 55 66 was a part of the 66 series of tractors, with the 55 66 produced from 1985 – 1992. Dubbed as a Daily Tractor, as denoted by the DT on the side; this tractor came with a 2.7 litre, three cylinder IVECO diesel engine.

The engine produces around 54 horse power at 2500 RPM.

Putting the power to the ground is done with 12 forward and 4 reverse gears. This Fiat 55 66 is four wheel drive and has decent sized 16.9-28 tyres on the rear and 11.2-24 on the front.

This method of tyre sizing is known as standard sizing. For example, the Fiat’s rear tyres are 16.9-28, the first number is the width of the tyre in inches. Therefore this tyre is 16.9 inches wide which is around 430mm. The second number is the rim size, this means it’s a 28 inch rim.

The front tyre’s are 11.2 inches wide or around 285mm, with a 24 inch rim.

Despite having a small 54 horse power output, this Fiat is capable of more than you’d think. While it’s size and ground clearance means the 55 66 can get in, and out of sticky situations with ease. Whilst it’s over 30 years old you can still find examples of this model in good use around our world to this day.

Sitting in the operator’s seat, you’ll find a lot of controls available for both your hands and feet. Lets go through them.

Looking forward we see the large steering wheel, the simple display which shows us from left to right, the engine temperature, the rev counter which doubles as a speed indicator of sorts, the distance is recorded in the middle and the fuel gauge is on the right side.

Your left foot looks after the clutch, while your right foot has control of both a foot throttle and the main brakes, which are able to be linked or used to lock up one side at a time to aid with turning, as shown here.

Below the steering wheel is a hand throttle. Using this to set the revs means gear changes can be completed without the use of the foot throttle. Then we find two main gear sticks. The left one selects the ratio of which we have 3. The ratio can only be selected when the Fiat is stationary. The right stick has 4 main gears in a traditional H pattern.

Below the right side of your seat is the hand brake and below the left side is the lever to engage and disengage 4WD.

Standard, the Fiat 55 66 didn’t come with a front end loaded attachment. This was added in New Zealand sometime during it’s life by a company in the Waikato. The levers above and to the right of the steering wheel operate the front-end elevation and the bucket angle. The front end loader attachment makes this Fiat 55 66 even more useful around the farm. If required, the bucket can be removed and replaced with another implement.

On the rear is an Italian made cultivator. This is attached with a 3-point hitch. The cultivator itself is powered by a PTO (Power take off, meaning the drive for the cultivator is taken directly from the drive train of the tractor via a shaft). While the cultivator can be raised and lowered using the hydraulic controls to the right of the driver’s seat.

The PTO itself has high and low gear which can be changed with yet another lever – this one under the left side of the seat. It also has separate hand clutch in front of your right knee, which needs to be engaged before changing the PTO into either gear. Releasing this lever engages the PTO.

This is one of the first tractors I’ve been up close and personal with and I can’t help but feel it’s been the perfect introduction into the world of agricultural vehicles. The Fiat 55 66 is your quintessential small – medium sized farm tractor.

It can go anywhere and do anything without so much as breaking a sweat. Seriously, we played around on this thing for hours at the engine temperature gauge barely moved (it does work). This tractor gets semi regular use cultivating organic garlic patches and looking after general farm requirements. It’s been around for over 30 years and it’ll probably still be doing the same thing in another 30 years.

Before checking out this tractor - if anyone mentioned Fiat, my first thought would always turn to their road going oddities like the humble Panda, or the eclectic and part wounded looking Multipla. But from this day forward the 55 66 has earned my respect – Mention Fiat, my first thought from this day forward will be Daily Tractor.

The Fiat 55 66 DT. How good?!