Help, Satoh Beaver

[DonaldE911]

I just picked up a Satoh Beaver 15 hp 2 cyl ( @ 2700 rpm ) 4x4 with woods finish mower. I have $100 in it, the mower is in great mechanical shape but needs sanding and a paint job.

the story on the tractor is, that it started blowing oil, so the owner tore it down and found a cracked piston.... anyway he took the piston/rings and head to a shop. Owner ran into cash flow problem and the shop wanted $1500 just to get the head back... ( I have never bought parts for one of these but that sounds high even for a new head ) I have everthing else for the tractor which is in good condition since it sit out in the weather for 8 years.

i dont know much else about the tractor... I'm assuming the engine is the ke70. Can I still buy this engine in new or remanufactured condition?? if so what woudl a fair price be? If not, can I get just the head and a rebuild kit?? the previous owner coated the cyl's with heavy grease so I think they can be honed.

I only have $100 in the machine right now, so I can justify spending money to make it good as new ( or there abouts )

Can you guys tell me about what I am lookign at spending on parts??

also the tractor needs a repaint for sure.... looks like a simple ford blue and white paint.... or is it another shade??

 

[BillRodgers]

I have 2 used heads for the KE70 engine and can supply the rebuilding parts you need. Over sized pistons are available if you decide to have it bored. Contact me at 540-345-9650(Va) or by email vppinc@rev.net for rebuilding info and prices. Bill

 

[alvanko]

I painted mine Ford Grabber Blue . Very close to original . Let us know how the rebuild goes .By the way ,if that tractor was in good condition with the mower it would be worth around $3000-$3500 , so you can spend a few dollars fixing it and really not lose a thing . It is a strong little tractor for it's size !
The woods mower new proabably cost around $1500 . I have one and it puts down a very nice cut .

 

[DonaldE911]

To be honest I had no idea what the tractor and mower were worth. I didn't really want the mower, but for another $50 I figured... what the heck ... now I'm glad I have it. I had seen this tractor years ago while it was rusting away and really wanted it then... finally got it home... after washing all the grim off and pulling the vines out ... I've found the suface rust is going to sand right off.... no holes rusted through or anything.

I didn't start looking into the specific tractor info until I got it home... glad to hear there are so many happy owners.

any idea on how many of these tractors were sold?? I had never heard of it before.

 

[alvanko]

I have no idea how many were actually sold here in the US but I think they were fairly popular . They were sold here in the mid 80's . Parts are available for them but they are quite expensive . I have 2 original sales brochures but don't have a scanner to post them . I think they sold for around $5000 new. I will try to attach a photo of mine for you to get an idea what they looked like in good shape .

 

[DonaldE911]

Thanks for the picture... What year is yours??

Mine has the big lug tires on it, no belly mower. Just out of curiosity what did the turf tires cost?? I need to put a less aggressive tire on mine.... those big lugs will make a mess out of my lawn.... will be good for the pastures though.

 

[alvanko]

I don't know what year mine is . I bought it used 3 years ago. The turf tires came on it . Mitsubishi offered it with 3 different tire styles ; Ag , Turf , Super wide turf . Wish mine had super wides . Its too heavy to mow with in the spring when the ground is still soft . I miss-understood you , I thought yours had a Woods belly mower . I guess it is a 3-point Woods .
You should get yourself a parts manual and a service manual . Most dealers here can get them for you .Well worth the money !! If you have access to a digital camera , please take a few photos as you go to update us on the "restoration" . Is yours white and blue or blue and grey ? I'm starting to think I have the only blue and grey one in the country !!

 

[DonaldE911]

Yeah, Mower is a RM48 3 point.... I have a cheap digital, so I'll take a photos and post them.... do you have a tiller for yours?? if so how does it work?

 

[alvanko]

No I do not have a tiller . Wish I did . I think these were originally built for use in Japan in the rice paddies with tillers than they decided to market them here in the states . Mine was originally sold here , some of the Satoh's and Mitsubishi's were imported and sold as "grey market " tractors here . Does your have a standard 6 spline PTO shaft ? There were a few sold here that had a 22mm. spline and actually rotated the opposite direction . Those are impossible to find implements for . I had one of those too for a while and eventually traded it away .
Forgive me for getting so long winded . I can't help but praise these little things !

 

[colcom]

A month ago I bought a Satoh Beaver 370D with a Woods 48" RM mower. Paid $4,200 in Canada. Its more than I wanted to pay but there was not a big selection of used tractors for under $8,000. But the Satoh runs really well, its clean, 4WD and has a clockwise PTO. The mower too does a great job: cuts long grass, lawns etc. A new tiller here is about $1800 and I want to build a FEL for snow removal.

I got manuals for the Satoh from Jensales (1 800 443 0625).

In my view you should go ahead and get the parts - used if possible, and you'll have a good light-duty tractor.