Rediscovering the Dodich 851 Wheel Loader and Its Forgotten Legacy

[MikePhua]

Dodich’s Place in European Earthmoving History
Dodich was a lesser-known Italian manufacturer of earthmoving machinery that operated during the mid-to-late 20th century. While not as globally recognized as Fiat-Allis, Benati, or Venieri, Dodich produced a range of wheel loaders and construction equipment tailored to regional markets in Italy and surrounding countries. The company’s machines were often used in municipal works, quarry operations, and agricultural infrastructure projects, particularly in areas where compact yet powerful loaders were needed.
The Dodich 851 model represents one of the brand’s mid-size wheel loaders, likely built during the 1970s or early 1980s. With limited surviving documentation and no active corporate presence today, the 851 has become a rare artifact of European industrial design—its existence preserved mostly through surviving machines and anecdotal accounts.
Design Characteristics and Mechanical Layout
The Dodich 851 was built with a focus on mechanical simplicity and ruggedness. While exact specifications are scarce, surviving units suggest the following configuration:

• Articulated frame for improved maneuverability
  
• Mechanical transmission with torque converter
  
• Four-wheel drive with planetary axles
  
• Hydraulic lift arms with dual-acting cylinders
  
• Operator cab with analog gauges and basic climate control
  

The loader likely featured a diesel engine in the 80–120 horsepower range, possibly sourced from Italian or German suppliers such as Iveco or Deutz. The bucket capacity would have ranged between 1.5 and 2.5 cubic meters, placing it in the same class as the Fiat-Allis 545B or early Volvo BM loaders.
Challenges in Identification and Restoration
One of the main difficulties with Dodich equipment today is the lack of parts catalogs, service manuals, or corporate support. Many machines have lost their identification plates, and online searches yield little to no technical data. Restorers must rely on reverse engineering, cross-referencing with similar models, and fabricating replacement components.
Recommended strategies for restoration include:

• Photographing all hydraulic and mechanical assemblies before disassembly
  
• Measuring cylinder bore and stroke to match seal kits
  
• Identifying engine model and sourcing parts from generic diesel suppliers
  
• Replacing wiring harnesses with modern equivalents using labeled diagrams
  
• Using universal joints, bearings, and bushings from standard metric catalogs
  

In some cases, parts from other Italian brands—such as Venieri or Benati—can be adapted to fit Dodich machines due to shared suppliers and design conventions.
Anecdote from Emilia-Romagna
A farmer in Emilia-Romagna inherited a Dodich 851 from his father, who had used it for decades to load silage and gravel. The loader had sat idle for years, with faded paint and seized hydraulics. After months of work, including rebuilding the lift cylinders and retrofitting a new starter motor, the machine returned to life. The farmer noted that while the loader lacked modern comforts, its raw mechanical strength and tight turning radius made it ideal for navigating narrow farm lanes.
Dodich’s Disappearance and the Rise of Consolidation
Dodich’s decline likely coincided with the wave of consolidation in the European construction equipment industry during the 1980s and 1990s. Larger manufacturers absorbed smaller firms, and global brands like Caterpillar, Komatsu, and Volvo expanded their presence across Europe. Without the scale to compete internationally or the capital to modernize production, Dodich faded from the market.
This pattern mirrors the fate of other regional builders, such as Richier in France and O&K in Germany, whose names survive only in collector circles and vintage equipment yards.
Recommendations for Owners of Rare European Loaders
To maintain and operate vintage machines like the Dodich 851:

• Keep a detailed log of all repairs, modifications, and part substitutions
  
• Use digital tools to scan and archive any surviving documentation
  
• Network with vintage equipment forums and European collector groups
  
• Consider converting obsolete systems (e.g., mechanical brakes) to hydraulic or electric alternatives
  
• Apply protective coatings to exposed metal surfaces to prevent corrosion
  

For those seeking to restore such machines for display or light-duty use, authenticity can be balanced with practicality. Replacing analog gauges with modern equivalents or installing LED lighting may improve usability without compromising the machine’s heritage.
Conclusion
The Dodich 851 wheel loader stands as a testament to Italy’s once-diverse construction equipment industry. Though the brand has vanished from the market, its machines continue to serve in quiet corners of Europe, maintained by those who value mechanical resilience over digital sophistication. Restoring and preserving such equipment is not just a technical challenge—it’s a tribute to the ingenuity and craftsmanship of a bygone era. In every hydraulic line and gear housing, the spirit of Dodich endures.