Long Tractors - Anyone Ran Them?

Bill VA · Jul 28, 2017

Saw a Long tractor setting on the side of the road today for sale (not buying it... ), I believe it was a model 460.

I had a buddy back in the day that square baled with one and in my Mom's old home town area in Western North Carolina, I recall there were a
bunch of them used for tobacco, haying, etc.

Anyone run or still running a Long tractor? What model? What's your experience with these tractors? I've heard they were old Fiat tractor
models painted blue, but don't really know.

Was Long tractors a mid Atlantic thing or did they penetrate the Midwest and beyond?

Long tractors - what's the good, bad and ugly?

Just curious.

Bill

Fred Werring · Jul 28, 2017

IIRC, Father-in -law had an Allis 5040 that was the same as the Long 460. They were both built by Fiat, just painted different colors.

Had a Long dealer close by in those days, used to get parts from him.

The tractor itself was OK, but the controls seemed awkward to me.

It got the jobs done

Fred

grayrider · Jul 28, 2017

I bought a used 445 Long about 25 yrs ago, motor had just been rebuilt and tractor repainted. Had probably less than 1 hour run time on it when the lift went out, took it to a shop, easy fix, $50 repair. Then after about 10 hours run time or less, the engine went to knocking, took to a shop and spent $2400 on the engine, I then sold it when the mechanic that rebuilt it for me said he would sell it if it was his, I didn't ask any questions but took his advice, sold it. It did have a Fiat engine in it and was a pain to get parts for in my area back then, couldn't find a crank for it, had to build it up then grind down to specs and took six months to find rings for it, back then we didn't have computer to look for stuff online and order things from around the world, I wouldn't buy another Long myself, I stick with Ford tractors....

Doug Wi · Jul 28, 2017

We have a mid 70's 560. threw out a low bid at an auction and nobody upped me. I believe that longs were built by at least 2 or more different manufacturers. ours is Romanian built. basicly a crude 4000 ford. We have baled with it a couple of times and pulled the grain drill with it, but now its only job is pulling a tandem 256 rake hitch. 7th gear at less than 1/2 throttle its incredibly fuel efficient. this one really in rough condition, but it starts good and fills the need of not having to unhook from an implement. It was pictured in classic farm and tractor mag last winter in the "got one" section

Traditional Farmer · Jul 29, 2017

Actually the AC 5040 and the 445 Long were basically the same tractor 6 speeds with one shifter.Long 460 was newer two shifters with 8 speed and separately operated PTO clutch.

Traditional Farmer · Jul 29, 2017

I have a Long 460 I use around the farm to do various chores,like mow hay,run 5ft roto tiller etc.I bought it from the Kubota place in Lynchburg VA about 10 years ago with less than
1,000 hrs for $1100 has been a real good tractor for me.It runs good,easy to start, does leak a little fluid around the rear lift,8 speed trans 4 X 2 shifting.It has an independent
PTO lever which should always remain in the down (engaged) position except when shifting the PTO in and out of gear because if ts left up while running it'll eventually ruin the motor.I have put about a 1,000 hrs on it.Also pretty easy on fuel,parts are readily available from Import Tractor in Canada and lots of parts for sale on ebay.Many of the Fiat built tractors have parts that will
interchange. I have several of those era Fiats in AC,Oliver,Long and Fiat brands.

Pair-a-dice farm · Jul 29, 2017

I never owned one but there were a lot of them around in the 70's and 80's. I know of several that are still going. Most were 445. 460 and 610. A friend of mine had a 460 that he called the Valdez because it leaked so much oil. It was a leaker but when you turned the key it started and got the job done.

Butch(OH) · Jul 29, 2017

I don't remember the model but a friend had
one about 30HP and he used it for a chore
tractor for many years trouble free, was
an exellent tractor for him.

Jim in NC · Jul 29, 2017

There are 3 in my immediate family, a 360, 445, and 610. They have been good basic tractors for us. We have grown tobacco in the past and now our main crop work is haymaking. Very good on fuel and heavy for their size. The most expensive repair on the 445 was an injection pump rebuild. The 360 was in a shed that caught fire. We repainted it's tin and replaced the tires and it continues to work. My dad bought the 360 new. I bought the 445, a mid 70s model in 1981.

Bob NY · Jul 29, 2017

The smaller model Longs, up through the 610, were a Fiat design built by the Uzina Tractor works in Romania under license from Fiat. They were sold in Canada as Universal tractors. The larger models, from the 900 up, were built by Zetor in Czechoslovakia.

Welding man · Jul 29, 2017

There used to be a lot of them in my area. We had a local dealer that went out of business before Long did. He sold quite a few of them. A lot of the ones he sold were plagued with hydraulic and head gasket problems. Most everyone has gotten rid of them now because no one will work on them and parts availability has become tough. We have repaired a few, but they are definitely not my choice of a tractor. They rank right in there with Belarus on my list, which is a #10 out of 10).

ed will · Jul 29, 2017

Hi, I have a UTB 350, which is the same as a Long. It is made in Romania. I put a new alternator on it also a new starter. I put new tires on the rear too. Other than that it has been a great tractor, good economy, easy to start even in minus temps.It came with the place 27 yrs ago. I like it. Ed Will Oliver BC

ETxJohn · Jul 29, 2017

I've owned a 310 Long bought new in 1981 and a 610 bought in late '90s. Tractors are incredibly tough and no cruder than a lower optioned Ford or Massey of the same era. I do not know why people say parts are hard to find, very available. Would a new cab tractor be very nice? Yes, but for my age and what I use them for I will not get rid of them.

Leroy · Jul 29, 2017

Have no idea where they were sold, not around here. Am 73 and in my lifetime have never seen one yet alone one working. This is western Ohio.

Case Nutty 1660 · Jul 29, 2017

We sold them in the 70's I still know where one or two are today still going strong,, 460's and 560's I think were what we stocked,, as for parts today I have no idea but when new the ones we sold were very dependable all I ever remember working on was a starter that was corroded inside from the salt air during shipping I would guess

Traditional Farmer · Jul 29, 2017

Like you say new parts are easy to find plus they are a lot cheaper than JD,Ford,AGCO built etc.

Geo-TH,In · Jul 29, 2017

When you mentioned long tractor I thought of what some farmers did over 50 years ago. They would couple two identical tractors together, making 4 wheel drive tractor. They were definitely long tractors.

Bill VA · Jul 29, 2017

Thanks everyone for your comments on Long tractors. Very good info. I've got another post coming regarding Fiat....

ed will · Jul 30, 2017

Hi, I have a UTB 350, which is the same as a Long. It is made in Romania. I put a new alternator on it also a new starter. I put new tires on the rear too. Other than that it has been a great tractor, good economy, easy to start even in minus temps.It came with the place 27 yrs ago. I like it. Ed Will Oliver BC

Long Tractors - Anyone Ran Them?

Bill VA

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Fred Werring

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grayrider

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Doug Wi

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Traditional Farmer

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Traditional Farmer

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Pair-a-dice farm

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Butch(OH)

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Jim in NC

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Bob NY

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Welding man

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ed will

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ETxJohn

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Leroy

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Case Nutty 1660

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Traditional Farmer

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Bill VA

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