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Satoh Beaver III Model S373D

Water pump is on, 40 year old original was shot, shaft was wobbling around. Not to hard a job, a 10, 12 and 14 mm socket, a Phillips, flathead, silicone and scraper is all it took.

Immediately put it to work, fixed a grape vine (used it to pull and straighten the posts while I attached cross braces), moved an old burn barrel, moved brush and leveled a dirt pile.
 
Chevelle_Nut said:
Water pump is on, 40 year old original was shot, shaft was wobbling around. Not to hard a job, a 10, 12 and 14 mm socket, a Phillips, flathead, silicone and scraper is all it took.

Immediately put it to work, fixed a grape vine (used it to pull and straighten the posts while I attached cross braces), moved an old burn barrel, moved brush and leveled a dirt pile.
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Let's see some pics of the old girl.
 
I am bad about not taking pics while doing stuff but will snap some.

The Japanese can build some stuff, I have always been impressed that they put things together logically and make stuff last. I know this Chinese pump won't last anywhere close to the 40 years the old pump did.
 
Chevelle_Nut said:
The OEM alternator has broken windings and no parts available. I stopped by the alternator shop today and the owner gave me 1 new and 1 old core to try. I was tied up in traffic getting there, I called and he waited for me, I arrived after they closed. I love to deal with small companies.
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Hope 1 works for you 👍🙂 if not any ideas?
 
Shovelrick said:
Hope 1 works for you 👍🙂 if not any ideas?
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I had to reverse the top bracket so it will slide on the block and not the alternator, added a space using a longer bolt and need to find a shorter belt, the alternator he has will work perfectly. The alternator shop is going to change some inside mechanics and make it a 1 wire system, with internal regulator, mine has an external. Will then be upgraded to a 40 AMP alternator from a 15 AMP

1697904423440.png
 
Chevelle_Nut said:
I had to reverse the top bracket so it will slide on the block and not the alternator, added a space using a longer bolt and need to find a shorter belt, the alternator he has will work perfectly. The alternator shop is going to change some inside mechanics and make it a 1 wire system, with internal regulator, mine has an external. Will then be upgraded to a 40 AMP alternator from a 15 AMP

View attachment 15578
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I see a lug nut 👍👍 where theres a Will theres always a way 👍👍🙂
 
I may have found a radiator shop too. One thing at a time.

I was thinking it may be worthwhile to have my old alternators and starters from the Chevelles rebuilt and just sit on the shelf. 50 year car stuff is not getting any easier to find.
 
I installed the new one wire alternator, really had a time finding a belt to fit, finally had success. Charging at 14.7 after glow plug start. Couldn't figure out why Dash warning lights were not coming on, I found a burned out oil pressure bulb, swapped it with the now useless charge light bulb. Replaced a bad 15AMP fuse and fixed a pinched ground wire for the lights. Everything is done with that one for now.
 
Chevelle_Nut said:
Great information! I will check with NAPA. My plastic piece is intact and they look to be hard to find as you said most are.

That Mitsubishi diesel fires right up and runs great. My PTO is a little slow to respond but will lift after a few seconds delay. The Woods finishing mower is sized perfectly for this small tractor. What size bush hog do you have? I have about 938 hours on it, besides the mover I have a boom pole and a front plow that I believe id for it.

I drained and filled my radiator, there was sediment in the bottom but looks to be in good shape.
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I just acquired a Satoh Beaver III S373D from a friend last week. It seems to be in pretty good shape, has only 328 hours on the meter and the paint barely worn in the normal wear areas. According to the previous owner, who is not mechanically inclined, she had a local tractor outfit do a 'complete service' on it 3-4 months before I acquired the machine. First thing I did was pull the dipstick....Motor oil was black as coal; she got ripped off. As soon as I got home, I drained the motor oil, transmission oil, front axle, rear axles (both sides) and pulled the hydraulic filter. Had a few holes in the screen of the hydraulic filter however, it was nice to see it had strained out most of the metal particulate. New Hydraulic screen currently on order. I note in the service manual one can also change the oil in the steering gear box however, I haven't been able to locate the drain and fill ports for the steering gear box. Any ideas where to find them?

I believe you said you pull a 48" Finish mower with your Beaver III. What brand and model? That is the next implement I am going to purchase, but want to make sure the Ol Beaver will spin it before making the purchase.

Thanks in advance!

Muddy
 
Hey Muddy

You will love the S373D, good little tractor that is a workhorse. It may say 328 hours on it but the hour meter may have rolled over, I watched mine roll over to 000 just last summer.

The oil being black as coal is normal, even right after an oil change, it is the nature of a diesel. Use diesel oil in it like Rotella T-4 15W-40. Good job on servicing the hydraulic system. many overlook the difficult to access filter. I use the tractor fluid instead of heavier weigh oil, seems to let the hydraulics work better especially in colder weather. As for the steering gear, I do not remember seeing a drain for it, box is pretty basic. Have you serviced the cooling system? I installed a coolant gauge on mine in place of the "dummy" light because when working it hard in the summer especially I want make sure it doesn't get to hot.

I have a 4' Woods RMn57 finish mower but to be honest am looking for a different type. The Woods basically hooks on to become part of the tractor with only back wheels, I want to get something that rides on the ground more, because I find adjustments to be difficult. If you are mowing taller grass a 4' bush hog works perfectly behind the Satoh, 5' is to big. I also use a 4' tiller, handle it like a champ, You will find the 4WD really helps when plowing and tilling as well as the low range gears.

Parts are hard to find for the Satoh so be careful with it. I think I have found a place to get them, I will let you know. FYI, alternators are hard to find, I ended up modifying my bracketry and installed an internal regulator alternator when the OEM one failed. You have to get creative on a 40 year old tractor.
 
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