Satoh BEAVERS370 4.70 star(s) (9)

What a Little Workhorse!
Model Year: 1980

My S-370D Beaver is a stout little tractor. It is well put together and very versatile, I've used it to replace a Powertrack 450 dozer (Chinese) that I cleared my land with. I've moved many yards of dirt and gravel, pulled stumps, lifted small engines, and several 400 pound (+/-) landscape rocks. I've only had three problems: one rear rim rusted through and split (calcium in the tires for weight); had a starting problem that was solved by cleaning the battery/starter grounds; and made the mistake of lending it to my daughter's boyfriend who gave it back without a clutch... (splitting the tractor this weekend). This tractor has done everything I've asked of it. I wouldn't dream of replacing it.

Pros: Small, powerful, sturdy
Cons: Info is sparse

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S370 Beaver
Model Year: 1982

Driven and worked with many tractors over the years. First I own myself. Love the feel of this tractor. Feels like a full size tractor, but fits everywhere a ride-on lawnmower can go. More power than it can put to the ground (would benefit from 4WD). Simple and solid. Would recommend it to anyone looking for a small compact tractor. This one has the PTO reverser and cat-1 lift arms making equipment easy to find. Equipped with front PTO (electric clutch). The woods belly mower that came with it is also fantastic and very well built. I would never sell it.

Pros: Maneuverable, fuel efficient, easy to maintain, lightweight tough as nails.
Cons: Lack of instrumentation, front axle is not adjustable, need ballast when pulling heavy loads, gear rear PTO.

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A Great Super Beaver, But Just a Bit Too Light and CCW PTO
Model Year: 1979

I really love this little tractor. I love to go everywhere I want, between trees, between shed a the garage. A very strong tractor. You can feel the solidity. Only two complains about it: a little bit too light, I spin easily on snow or mud, even with calcium in the tire. And the other problem is, for sure, the counterclock wise PTO. You can put a front snowblower on the back of the tractor to have correct spin direction or find a PTO reverser. I also have a 5ft front loader and it is very strong, I can lift my 600 pounds Honda Foreman VTT 9 feet high without problem (but have to attach my snowblower at the rear for counterweight). So I plan to buy a Satoh Buck. Same tractor, but a bit more power, a correct PTO, a little bit heavier. But the same strongness and reliability.

Pros: Very strong for 15 HP, indestructible, cute (blue and white).
Cons: A bit to light, CCW PTO, just a bit not enough power.

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Keeps on Ticking...Why Did They Ever Stop Making These?
Model Year: 0

In this age of planned obsolescence, they just don't make 'em like this anymore. It's perfect for our needs. Glad to have discovered this sturdy little tractor. When you do the research you'll find that those who have them love them. You may read a lot about a CCW PTO but thankfully ours spins CW--and has THREE speeds! You'll also read about some who have fabricated and installed a loader on the front. That would be a nice feature but it appears that the front axle wasn't designed to take a lot of weight so be careful if you go that route.

Pros: Easy on fuel, strong for 15hp, 4WD is amazing.
Cons: Replacment parts may become more difficult to find.

Strong, But Small
Model Year: 0

This little tractor is very strong but the thing that makes it great is also it's shortfall: it is small. I can get to places that others cannot. It has plenty of power but a lot of times I find myself spinning the tires even in 4x4.

Pros: Small, powerful.
Cons: Too small for normal size implements.

Satoh Beaver S370D with Front Loader
Model Year: 1980

Bought my first Satoh after seeing it with the front loader hanging from an overhead porch. Watched it for several months, and it didn't move, so I thought I'd check it out. Turns out it ran fine, but the hydraulics were not working on the loader, and it was a bear to get on the trailer. Turns out the O ring was blown in the pump, and after repair by a friend of mine, I used that Satoh until last spring, when I found another one (with a backhoe)! Very nice tractor, and easy to move around on the property. The backhoe wasn't, however, and I wound up selling the backhoe, thinking I would just use the tractor. The tractor, however, had a counter rotating PTO, and wouldn't operate my auger or brush hog. Sold that one and found an S470D 3 cylinder. Runs, but the trans didn't, so I'm in the process of fixing that (the collar on the clutch shaft to the drive shaft had slipped, twisting the splines on the drive shaft...new drive shaft is installed, but haven't put it back together yet). I really like these Satohs, and would highly recommend them. I gave the dealer a "poor" only because they no longer support these old tractors with parts, but the secondary market seems to have the parts I needed with minimal fuss (the drive shaft was NOS, and cost $400, but it was the part I needed...). I've just purchased a Mitsubishi MT180D with a bad lower end, so I'll let you know how that turns out! May wind up parting it out if it's too much to rebuild. No front loader, though.

Pros: Ease of use, dependability, diesel engine runs strong.
Cons: Parts availability at times.

Good Bang for the Buck
Model Year: 0

This is one little workhorse. For small property, going through the woods etc. It is very nimble and strong for it's size.

Pros: 2 cylinder diesel engine sips fuel. Powerful hydraulics.
Cons: None come to mind. It's only limited by it's size which is actually an asset.

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Came with the House
Model Year: 1980

When I bought my current home, the previous owner left me his Satoh Beaver S370 tractor and tiller. I don't know how old it was and there was no cost to me so I can't comment on things like "value" and "hours" (it has no hour meter) and I didn't consider buying any other brands. I put down "1980" as the model year but that's just a guess. The purchase date is the date escrow closed on the house. I have purchased a small wagon, a plow, and a sod buster to go with the tractor. My experience with this diesel tractor has been so positive that my wife and I now drive diesel cars. The Beaver has been very reliable. I use biodiesel for fuel, which required replacing the rubber fuel return lines. The Beaver has not required any service except for the usual greasing and oil changes. The starter safety switch recently failed and I have not been able to find a replacement. The tiller's chain and sprockets wore out but I was able to get a local shop to rebuild them. The lower oil seal has failed and I haven't been able to replace it yet. Fortunately I don't use the tiller any more.

Pros: Reliable, tough.
Cons: Parts hard to find.

Staoh Beaver
Model Year: 1987

Nice little tractor with front end loader. It needs weight in the rear though. I can't get enough traction on the rear tires especially using the loader. I haven't been able to locate wheel weights, but it could sure use them.

Pros: Reliable, plenty of power for size.
Cons: Poor rear traction.