Satoh Beaver S370 driveline noise??? Help needed....wondering if I should buy.

[4xfourfun]

Hey all.

I found a neat little Satoh Beaver S370 4x4 for sale. The guy has owned it a few years and completed his landscaping job so hes ready to sell it.

Now for the problem. He said he thinks it has a bad bearing on the transmission shaft. He said it growls every now and then. When he got it the throw out bearing was bad so he split the tractor and installed new clutch, throw out bearing, and pilot bearing but it didn't change this other problem. Anyway, just seeing if anyone has experienced a similar growling noise from the driveline. And wondering if anyone has been into a transmission on one of these.

I'm also kind of curious as to what it would take for a rear mower? What PTO speed is it? And I've read some PTO's on these turn backwards and need a reverser?

Thanks so much.

 

[duwem]

Could be low on fluid or the wrong fluid, but if there is enough of any sort of oil and its still noisy it may be mechanical.

 

[4xfourfun]

I was wondering that too. He said its not a constant noise which throws me a little bit. It's a little bit of a gamble. I would imagine they aren't too hard to work on.....just time consuming if I have to split it to get in the transmission.

It's a neat little outfit, I hate to pass it up but don't need any more headaches either :laughing:

 

[Freakingstang]

Can't help ya with the noise... I would Definately drain the gearbox and replace the Hyd fluid. The cap on the top of the case to the right of the shifter is just a push in plug and they can take on water fairly easy if it's ever sat outside.

The rear pto will have three speeds. If it is the standard spline it should be the correct CW industry standard pto. Mine has the small 22 spline shaft and spins CCW. Just a matter of getting a spline adapter to use conventional implements but it is hard finding a CCW mower... I love my little tractor. I'm building a front end loader for it...

 

[4xfourfun]

Thanks for the info and specs. It seems like a neat little tractor. I'm thinking about taking the chance on it. Changing fluids and running it for awhile. If the noise gets worse maybe tear it down next winter. He said the engine has been serviced and runs great. He put a new clutch, throw out bearing, pilot bearing, and starter on it in the last couple years. Don't really need a mower for it since I have a couple garden tractors but it would be handle to have some type of mower for it.

I just have to figure out a fair price and make an offer.

 

[Freakingstang]

I was going to ask what they wanted for it. I had roughly 800-1k in mine when I bought it. I traded a mustang parts car for it. I got a small finish mower with it but it's a standard CW rotation that someone flipped the blades on. I haven't used it as I want to refurb it and make it right. I too have a regular mower and don't need a big mower for it. I got it mainly for grading the property at my new house. I love it now! It's not much bigger than my Kubota garden tractor.

When I talked to valley power they said the transmissions are pretty stout and reliable. The only issue they've seen is a few worn/broken 1st gears from people trying to pull or jerk something they shouldn't have...

 

[4xfourfun]

It has ag tires on it, a front loader, and a 3pt tiller. He wants $2600 for all of it. Said he has put around $600 in it over the last couple years. Everything works good. Tiller drips a little fluid. I'm guessing its a gasket or tine seal, I'll have to check it out.

 

[techwrtr2]

Beaver is a great little tractor. We've had ours since new and can't count the number of projects it's helped me complete. Does the job each and every time. It is a small and light tractor, really the only major drawback. Sometimes you need more weight than it has. If you keep that in mind, you'll be amazed at the work it can do.

Ours uses the internal hydraulics to power the loader, but the backhoe has its own reservoir.

Oh, if anybody wants to come get it, I have a Woods RM42 CCW brush mower I'd love to sell. It's been sitting since I got the larger JD855 a few years ago and a CW rotation brush mower to go with it.

 

[4xfourfun]

I'm looking for something smaller to use around the house. Do they steer decent with the loader?

I'll send you an e-mail about the mower.

Thanks!

 

[techwrtr2]

If you have a loader on with no rear ballast, you'll notice it in the steering.

I notice it every time I run the Beaver because I am used to the JD with power steering.

My mower is in central PA... this seems an impediment to anybody who has been interested in it.