Description

Fiat-Allis FL20 Operators Manual – Crawler Loader Operation and Maintenance

You bought a Fiat-Allis FL20 crawler loader. Good machine. But if you run it without reading the Operators Manual, you’re gambling with a $50,000 piece of iron. I’ve seen guys snap a final drive because they skipped the break-in section, or dump a load because they didn’t understand the bucket controls. This 54-page factory document is what the guys in Turin wrote for the guy behind the levers. It’s not a service manual – it tells you how to operate and maintain the machine so it doesn’t become a service manual problem.

Safety Rules – A Chapter You Don’t Skip

Page 5 of this manual hits you with the safety alert symbol and the WARNING: study the manual before starting, operating, maintaining, fueling or servicing. That’s not a suggestion. It lists specific rules for machine-mounted signs, handling of fluids, and what to do before climbing aboard. Most accidents on construction sites happen because somebody thought they knew the machine. The manual calls out the difference between WARNING and DANGER – pay attention to that.

Break-In: The 50-Hour Rule

The break-in section starts on page 4. Fiat-Allis spells out the first 50 hours: no full-load operation, keep the engine speed below 1800 rpm, check fluid levels after every 5 hours. They also tell you to retorque the cylinder head bolts after the first 100 hours. That’s a step most operators skip, and then they wonder why the head gasket leaks. The manual gives you the exact procedure – don’t guess.

What Does the Lubrication Schedule Cover?

Lubrication and service instructions run from page 24 to 38. It’s not just a grease chart – it tells you which grease to use, how many pumps, and at what interval. The guide covers the final drives, track rollers, idlers, the bucket pivot points, and the transmission. If you over-lube a bearing, you blow the seal. If you under-lube, you burn it up. This manual gives you the spec straight from Fiat-Allis. Also inside the back cover are the fluid capacities – engine oil, hydraulic tank, transmission, coolant. Don’t trust a third-party quick reference for that. Fiat Scudo 2006 Training Manual and Fiat Bravo Brava 2000 Workshop Manual – Section: Impianto Elettrico are good for your shop trucks, but this loader manual is for the yellow iron.

54 Pages of Factory-Approved Procedures

Every page in this manual was printed by Fiat-Allis. The copyright notice states reproduction is not permitted – that’s how you know it’s original content, not some aftermarket rewrite. The table of contents includes sections on serial number locations, spare parts, foreword, break-in, safety rules, operating instructions, controls and instruments, daily care, fuel system bleeding, starting and stopping, seat adjustment, loader control, bucket operating tips, R.T.O., ripper, cold weather precautions, preparation for storage, lubrication, electrical system with wiring diagram, cab and ROPS, specifications, and fluid capacities. That’s 54 pages of dense, no‑filler information. Not a single diagram is copied from another manual – it’s all specific to the FL20.

Cold Weather and Storage: Not Optional

Page 24 covers cold weather precautions and preparation for storage. If you park the FL20 for more than 30 days and don’t follow the storage prep, you’ll come back to seized injectors and a dead battery. The manual tells you to drain the cooling system or add antifreeze to the correct concentration, grease every fitting, and block the machine off the ground to keep tracks off the mud. Skip that, and you’re looking at a $1,500 starter repair. Fiat Cinquecento Workshop Manual won’t help you here – this is heavy equipment specific.

Get the Fluid Capacities Right

The fluid capacities are listed inside the back cover. Engine oil capacity, hydraulic system, transmission, final drives – the exact quantities in U.S. quarts and gallons. You need to know that the transmission holds 8 gallons of 10W engine oil, not ATF. A lot of shop guys dump in the wrong fluid because they think all loaders use hydraulic oil. This manual ends the guesswork. For more background on how a manual transmission works in construction equipment, see Manual Transmission or Manual Transmission – but the spec comes from this manual alone.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this manual cover the FL20 engine rebuild?

No. This is an operators manual, not a service manual.

What is the publication year?

The manual shows a 2nd printing dated VIII-79, so late 1979. But official publication year is not listed.

Can I use this for the FL20B model?

The manual specifically covers the FL20 crawler loader. Fiat-Allis may have released variants like the FL20B with different hydraulic systems. Without seeing the specific SN range, I wouldn’t assume compatibility. The manual includes serial number location instructions on page 2, so you can verify. If your machine’s serial falls outside the range listed, you need the correct supplement. Buying a manual that doesn’t match your serial is a waste of money and dangerous for operation.

Is this a reprint?

The PDF is a reproduction of the original factory printing. It includes the same content, including the copyright notice. Not a third-party rewrite.

If you own or operate a Fiat-Allis FL20, you need this manual on your tablet or in the cab. The factory wrote it so you don’t wreck the machine on day one. Access the Factory Manual and keep it with the machine.