Opportunity to buy 650g, yes no?

[caferacermike]

$700.


The top end is disassembled and in a box. Story is that it needed a new head gasket. The thing that worries me more is that I've found it rather rare to just need to replace a head gasket. It's that they either work, or the engine overheats. So I'm concerned about cracked block, warped head, etc... more than just a head gasket replacement.

What would all you old farmers do? Just buy it and play with it? Pass? Just keep my S370 out in the field all lonely? Is it worth having a 25hp Japanese compact? looks like it would bump me from a cat0 to cat1. Right now all I'm doing is shredding. Might do some plowing later if my buddy lets me chew up an acre, probably not as he doesn't seem interested at all in any sort of small farming on his land. Should I just move on and wait for a nice 30hp with FEL to come along? I think in the near future a loader and rear blade/grader to cut some dirt bike trails and possibly an auger to put some post holes in the ground might be appropriate for his place.

Owner claims to have all materials necessary and extra mufflers, OEM carburetors, fuel pumps, and more to throw in. My red flag says, "you got this far, you've got all the parts all you need is about 4-6 hours to finish, why not finish it"?

 

[duwem]

I would ask yourself if you need another tractor, want a project and are mechanially inclined to fix it. If you answer yes to at least2 of those, and have the money, sounds like it could be a good deal in the long run if it does indeed just need a head gasket.

How many hours, how does it look cosmetically, tires good?

 

[Ilikeurtractor]

Personally I would avoid acquiring any older 2wd tractors unless there is something particular that attracts you to them, but that's mainly because I don't use tractors for farming. Seems like the 4wd tractors I see for sale around the same era don't really require a premium in cost (although they probably should just like new ones). Certainly nothing against the 650 or 2wd in general, just that 4wd is so handy for backing up inclines/snow/etc. Just a thought if you're considering a tractor you may not need at the moment.

 

[284 International]

The 650G will do quite a bit more than your 370 will. It is also gasoline, of course, but that engine isn't really rough on fuel. It won't have the economy of a diesel, but it isn't bad. The Nebraska tractor tests have it at 2.2 gallons per hour at full power, 22 PTO horsepower. A similar vintage Kubota diesel, the L245, burns 1.7 gallons per hour at full power, 22 PTO horsepower. So fuel consumption will certainly be higher, but it's not prohibitive.

In my experience, it seems like the root cause of a headgasket failure in these vintage tractors is engine overheating, usually from a corroded radiator. I would assume it will need to be rodded out. Other odds and ends like hoses, fuel lines, new battery etc. will eat up a couple hundred bucks. That is, your price is closer to $1000 than $700. I would still consider it if you are in the market for an intermediate size unit, but if the tires are severely rotted out or worn, or there are other glaring problems, you're buying headaches for your money.

If one in similar condition in your area is selling for $2500 or so, that gives you some decent wiggle room to put more money than that into it, and 6 hours or so of labor, and still turn a nice profit if you don't like. If the going price for a functioning one is $1500, there's not much percentage in buying an incomplete project like that in my view.

On a side note, if you buy it, I would be interested in purchasing one of the spare carburetors.

 

[284 International]

The 650G will do quite a bit more than your 370 will. It is also gasoline, of course, but that engine isn't really rough on fuel. It won't have the economy of a diesel, but it isn't bad. The Nebraska tractor tests have it at 2.2 gallons per hour at full power, 22 PTO horsepower. A similar vintage Kubota diesel, the L245, burns 1.7 gallons per hour at full power, 22 PTO horsepower. So fuel consumption will certainly be higher, but it's not prohibitive.

In my experience, it seems like the root cause of a headgasket failure in these vintage tractors is engine overheating, usually from a corroded radiator. I would assume it will need to be rodded out. Other odds and ends like hoses, fuel lines, new battery etc. will eat up a couple hundred bucks. That is, your price is closer to $1000 than $700. I would still consider it if you are in the market for an intermediate size unit, but if the tires are severely rotted out or worn, or there are other glaring problems, you're buying headaches for your money.

If one in similar condition in your area is selling for $2500 or so, that gives you some decent wiggle room to put more money than that into it, and 6 hours or so of labor, and still turn a nice profit if you don't like. If the going price for a functioning one is $1500, there's not much percentage in buying an incomplete project like that in my view.

On a side note, if you buy it, I would be interested in purchasing one of the spare carburetors.

 

[caferacermike]

Do I need another tractor? No, not at all. I don't even need the first one, or the Cub Cadet 100 either. LOL. I like rusty things.

Do I need a project? Probably not. I have around 22 motorcycles that always need something. The Cub needs front tires. I have a hundred projects.

Am I mechanically able? Look at my previous thread about building my own sway chains. I rebuild motorcycle engines all the time. I build a lot of bikes from the ground up. So yeah I could do it.


My issue really is just not knowing the history. I'm just more concerned that there are underlying issues that could eat me up. As mentioned the radiator. What if the head is damaged? Is this the Mazda engine? There isn't much available for the 370 so would parts be available for the 650? I'm probably going to pass as I never like to buy a basket case unless parts are easy and cheap to replace. That one coffee can of bolts the seller forgot to pack could ruin the rebuild. You know? I was hoping someone might say, "buy it that's a great tractor".

 

[duwem]

I would pass, you could pick up a ford 8/9N in the same condition for that price and at least then you know parts are reasonable and very available. You see 8/9N's on craigslist a lot, in running condition 1500-2500, more if real nice and with attachments.

 

[Sonny580]

I just got a satoh S650-G--- MAZDA engine for $100. and the steering box is apart, BUT he tossed in a box of new bearings/seals!---NOW to hope that none of the bolts got lost because they are metric and NOT avail. around here!
A good running Bison here ranges from $1,500 to $2,500 so you be the judge on what you are comfey with! thanks; sonny580

 

[satohbison]

I've had my Bison for 30 years
what a great, trouble free, tractor, I really love this tractor (just had some paint work done)
Now in the age of the internet, parts are EASY to get

 

[Green Acres rAf]

I've had my Bison for 30 years
what a great, trouble free, tractor, I really love this tractor (just had some paint work done)
Now in the age of the internet, parts are EASY to get

Oh yeah... hahahaha

"parts are easy to get"? please tells us your source, because I feel like I'm ALWAYS searching for parts... not like a vw motor that parts are everywhere. I know Bill and Lens are my first source, but sometimes they don't even have it!!!! Napa, Carquest, Auto Zone...nope... owning a Satoh 650 is like being a detective, research specialist and a mechanic