Help deciding on a Satoh Bull Project

[usmcskeeter]

So I currently have a IH LoBoy 184 and a JD 455. I recently bought a Hustler zero turn to mow with and I致e found it easier to blow snow with a walk behind blower than a rider. So, Ive been looking at options to get rid of my two tractors and replace them with one. I really don稚 want to spend a fortune, so I致e been waiting to find a Kubota that needs work.

Well, I know an old guy that used to do miscellaneous repairs, which have basically all ended up in the weeds/grove. Amongst his 田ollection is a Satoh Bull. This got me interested as it has the loader and MFWD (which I always wanted). I know nothing about these tractors.

The story behind this tractor was that the guy used it for clearing snow. He had the engine rebuilt and the guy that did it didn稚 seat the sleeve and it ended up dropping. So, the tractor痴 sat in the open, WITH the head off for what he claim is 5 years (I壇 say more like 10). Being an Ag technician, I知 not afraid of doing engine/trans overhauls and I have seen some engines that drop sleeves that can be repair with limited parts. However, it seems like these parts are hard to come by and with the engine exposed to the elements, it may be junk and not salvageable (I didn稚 spend much time looking at it).

So, this guy, he痴 a little weird he痴 sold some nice, running Farmalls for like $250 and classic garden tractors for scrap price. However, he wants $1800 for this non-running tractor than most likely will need a new engine and a bunch of other little parts (hoses, fluids, tires, etc.). Granted it has the loader and I know depending on machine, sometimes loaders can be as much if not more than the tractor itself. But I haven稚 seen anything run. This tractor could need new hydraulics, transmission, etc. I don稚 know, is it worth it?

Has anyone ever done an engine conversion to like a Kubota or yanmar engine? I always see the little three cylinder yanmar engines that are in my JD 455 for like $500 and this would be a similar rating as the Mitsubishi KE75 that is in the Satoh Bull.

Are the non-engine parts (transmission, hydraulics, etc.) easy to source? Is it a common platform that was used by any other manufactures like Ford or Iseki, etc.?

I plan on using this tractor periodically (less than 100hrs/yr) for things like tilling, grading, loading, snow removal during big snow falls, etc. I壇 expect to have it for 10-20yrs. Would I be better off focusing on finding something more repairable or running, even if that means 3x more expensive?

 

[Ilikeurtractor]

Sounds to me like you're looking for something that is a little more "turnkey" than the tractor you describe. Unless you really like fixing things and you have the time to do it I'd pay a litte more and skip the hassles. I think people generally underestimate what it costs and the time it takes to get things where they want them in terms of a reliable piece of equipment. I had a guy send me a private message congratulating me on my S373D rehabilitation and he was going to set out to do the same and wanted some guidance. After I told him what I had into it I never heard back. And I didn't pay someone to do the work. Just cost of materials. I realize you're not setting out to do a full restore, but even the bare minimums can get pricey. A new set of tires will probably run $1k and I would suspect it is probably nearer than farther away from needing them. One BIG consideration that is easy to overlook when wanting a tractor with a loader is to find out if it has power steering. If it doesn't (which I would expect in this case) I'd avoid it like the plague. Trying to maneuver a loaded bucket with the tractor on concrete with manual steering is not really practical and extremely hard on the steering box - which spares are not that readily available. Many of these older Japenese tractors weren't really intentioned to have a loader by the manufacturers.

 

[usmcskeeter]

Thanks for the reply - I completely understand where you are coming for an couldn't agree more. Time and parts are the only two constraints with this project that I have. The tractor wouldn't be something I'd need immediately, but I also don't want a 10 year project tying up shop space.

The tires, while expensive like you pointed out, is less of an issue for me as I would expect any used tractor that I'd buy will eventually need them. But it is an upfront cost to deal with.

The power steering is absolutely needed as you pointed out. I remember operating various tractors without power steering and a loader and I swore I would never do that again. I guess that's one thing I didn't look at at - I take it the Bull does not have power steering? I guess I just thought if it had MFWD, it would have power steering.

Looking like a different platform may be what I need - any thoughts from other members?

 

[Ilikeurtractor]

MFWD does not necessarily include power steering although I sure wish it did If you look on tractordata.com the Bull doesn't even have power steering listed as an option so unless it's a retrofit it most likely won't have it.

 

[rselucky]

I have a Bull that I bought 3 years ago it has a loader, no MFWD. Paid $900 for it, but the 1st cylinder has spun a bearing. I ran it on the one cylinder for 2 years, now I am in the process of pulling the engine. Going to see if I can get the crank redone. The engine on the Bull is a ke130, finding parts have not been easy.