Satoh Beaver III Model S373D

[Chevelle_Nut]

I watch online estate auctions. I had placed a bid for this tractor, basically forgot about it and then realized on Thursday evening I won the bid. It is a 1980 to 1984 Satoh Beaver III S373D, the grandpa to the Yanmar. It has a small 16.5 HP 3 cyl Mitsubishi Diesel, it is 4WD, figured that out today (Kevin you were right) but the 4X4 lever will not move. It has a 3 point lift that is a little slow to operate. The only other issue I found is the axle locker lever is frozen.

What I know about it is the previous owner had it for at least 10 years, when he bought a zero turn he stopped using it. A new battery was installed and it started up.

The thing needs all of the fluids changed. It will not be easy to get parts for it but there is a shop in Roanoke that carries stuff for them.

The plans are to service it, fix the 4WD and hopefully a hydraulic fluid change will help the 3 point lift speed and unstick the locker. I am searching for implements but I live in farm country and already have a lead on some, just deciding on what I want to get first.

 

[kmakar]

I'm betting that the "slow" 3 point lift is directly tied to motor speed and the hydraulic pump. If you increase the RPM's, then lift and lower the 3 point hitch, that should tell you for sure if it is indeed hydraulic pump / fluid / filter related. You'll also have to verify it has the correct viscosity hydraulic fluid.

As far as the 4x4 lever being stuck, you may not be able to unstick it without pulling the transmission apart. It may have sat so long that the gears locked on the shaft. The same could be for the axle locker. One possible scenario is if you start using it (going reverse and forward alot), both levers may free up over time. I'd change the fluids first and start using it to see if they will free up, otherwise later it would become a winter project to pull it apart to free the levers up.

 

[77cruiser]

That's pretty sweet, I'd like something like that.

 

[Chevelle_Nut]

I finally got the Satoh in for service. The oil has been changed, I dropped all of the gear oil and hydraulic (same system) fluid and cleaned the filter. I added new. The fuel filter has been replaced. The 4x4 axle fluid replaced. After the fluid replacement the 3 point lifts better.

The 4x4 does work, I jacked up the front and rotated the wheels, I heard the gears in the transfer case moving. I then started it up and while in 4X4 slowly moved forward and saw the wheels turning. All of the grease points have been clubbed.

The axle lock is freeing up too.

My headlights do not work. The switch is broken but both bulbs are blown and one headlamp is missing a lens. The lights are 3.75" in diameter and look like round sealed beams, I cannot find anything close to them yet. The bulbs are super expensive:

Replacement for Toshiba A12v25/25w Light Bulb by Technical Precision - - Amazon.com

Replacement for Toshiba A12v25/25w Light Bulb by Technical Precision - - Amazon.com

www.amazon.com

I am trying to find a substitute sealed beams. I am also going to call a place that carries parts for these old tractors.

 

[kmakar]

Wow, that is super pricey for a bulb. I'd just buy some aftermarket LED bulbs if you can and maybe solder it to the old base.

 

[Chevelle_Nut]

Wow, that is super pricey for a bulb. I'd just buy some aftermarket LED bulbs if you can and maybe solder it to the old base.

That is my plan. Finding something 3.75-4" is the problem, everything is 4.5 inches.

 

[kmakar]

Maybe something like this?

Amazon.com

Maybe you can pull the LED out and place it in the original housing?

 

[Chevelle_Nut]

That may work The switch came apart too. May have to rewire it all the way if I go LED.

 

[kmakar]

That may work The switch came apart too. May have to rewire it all the way if I go LED.

I put a pair on my electric utility cart and they are super bright (almost blinding).

 

[Chevelle_Nut]

I looked at the light housing on the tractor, there is room in the back for a different bulb, will just have to design a mount. I am adding them to my wish list.

 

[EBGwd]

I watch online estate auctions. I had placed a bid for this tractor, basically forgot about it and then realized on Thursday evening I won the bid. It is a 1980 to 1984 Satoh Beaver III S373D, the grandpa to the Yanmar. It has a small 16.5 HP 3 cyl Mitsubishi Diesel, it is 4WD, figured that out today (Kevin you were right) but the 4X4 lever will not move. It has a 3 point lift that is a little slow to operate. The only other issue I found is the axle locker lever is frozen.

What I know about it is the previous owner had it for at least 10 years, when he bought a zero turn he stopped using it. A new battery was installed and it started up.

The thing needs all of the fluids changed. It will not be easy to get parts for it but there is a shop in Roanoke that carries stuff for them.

The plans are to service it, fix the 4WD and hopefully a hydraulic fluid change will help the 3 point lift speed and unstick the locker. I am searching for implements but I live in farm country and already have a lead on some, just deciding on what I want to get first.

View attachment 847
View attachment 848

View attachment 849

Word in the past was that NAPA had a replacement, direct fit light fixture for the Satoh Beaver. Might take yours and see if they can match it.
I have not replaced mine, they have been missing for years. Take care of the front plastic part above radiator.
My Satoh is very similar to yours but a bit older. Parts are hard to find, sometimes.
Mine works like a bulldog.
Pulls pine tree logs, does the garden with PTO tiller from Tractor Supply and is just the right size for bush hogging our property.
Mine is down this week for starter/solenoid work. Getting a new ignition switch, also.
You will see photos from new radiator earlier this year (old one was too clogged up).
It is a good small farm tractor. How much was yours? Any attachments? How many hours?
EBGwd
Here is a link to a few photos of my S373D.
Satoh Beaver S373D details

 

[Chevelle_Nut]

Word in the past was that NAPA had a replacement, direct fit light fixture for the Satoh Beaver. Might take yours and see if they can match it.
I have not replaced mine, they have been missing for years. Take care of the front plastic part above radiator.
My Satoh is very similar to yours but a bit older. Parts are hard to find, sometimes.
Mine works like a bulldog.
Pulls pine tree logs, does the garden with PTO tiller from Tractor Supply and is just the right size for bush hogging our property.
Mine is down this week for starter/solenoid work. Getting a new ignition switch, also.
You will see photos from new radiator earlier this year (old one was too clogged up).
It is a good small farm tractor. How much was yours? Any attachments? How many hours?
EBGwd
Here is a link to a few photos of my S373D.
Satoh Beaver S373D details

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.

 

[EBGwd]

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.

My tiller and bush hog are 4' wide (tried the heavier/bigger tiller but it was too much weight for the girl).
Also have 4' scrap blade, turn plow and pieces of a disc harrow.
I noted the manual or stickers for my Beaver said to use a heavy weight gear oil. That might be why yours is slow to raise/lower.
Being in the oil business distribution for several years and living in South Carolina I put premium tractor hydraulic in the tractor and not the suggested gear oil.
Some folks speculate that the manual actually had a typo and that gear oil was not the correct lubricant for the Beaver.
If you don't have the manuals, just send me your email. I have the original manual for mine.
EB

 

[Chevelle_Nut]

I found the manual online, minus the parts manual. Yes, I used 80W oil, was following the manual, I had a feeling it was the oil weight.

I was thinking 4' was the correct size, what size turn plow are you using? A plow is one of my next purchases.

 

[cage2592]

EBGwd, welcome to the site !

 

[cage2592]

Great find on the tractor by the way. I need one about that size up to about 25hp. Hopefully Ill find one for a good price.

Then I want to send it to this guy:

The Little Tractor Co

The Little Tractor Co. specializes in custom hand made half scale tractors. 734.368.3273

www.thelittletractorco.com

We have a few Internationals and Farmalls. I want a miniature one.

 

[Chevelle_Nut]

I have up to 7 acres to take care of, not all of it is mine... yet. I bid on this tractor, forgot that I did and next thing you know I bought it sight unseen. I think I paid a fair price for it being a diesel and 4wd with a clockwise rotating PTO and 3 point hitch. So far the hardest I have worked it is using the finishing mower in the field and it handled it like a champ, even pulling the hill. The grass was about 10" high.

I used the boom pole for lifting a couple of heavy items, sure saves my back. Gotta remember when it is on I have tail swing, almost hit one of my cars with it.

I look at it as a swiss army knife, just add implements. I have a 1 man post auger, thing about ripped my shoulder out one time, the orthopedists made some money off of me. If needed I will get a post hole digger. See what I mean?

Anyway the Satoh is I think a 1982 model, yes 40 years old (makes me feel old) and made of thick steel. After I figured out the best way to start it when it is cold out she runs strong. Before I got it it had been sitting for at least 3 years, the Fram oil filter that was on it was faded out.

It does have a few disadvantages... when the boom pole is up all the way it hits the seat, the previous owner put 12" car tires on the front, the tires are turf tires, advantages and disadvantages to them. I learned quickly that tractors are unforgiving to errors, must be in neutral, parking brake on etc...

 

[Chevelle_Nut]

I carried the plow to my garage and am trying to figure this thing out. The good news is the the plow IS made for this tractor. Here is the underbody bracket:






Here is a pic of the bracket under the tractor lining up to the plow, you can see the control mount sticking up:





Plow connection to underbody bracket:



Weights are removed, plow attaches to this bracket.

 

[kmakar]

Take some topside of the attachment area on the plow itself, the mount part for the tractor looks pretty simple.

 

[Chevelle_Nut]