looking at a new acquisition

[skylarkguy]

Hi,
So I ran into a "barn find" of a G154. I'm considering trying to pick it up. What I'd like to know is about the availability of parts for this tractor. I am familiar with the KE70 Mitsu engine that is in it, I have the same motor in my MT372. The engine might need rings. Beyond that though are there any parts that are impossible to get? What are the general impressions of those folks that have one of these tractors. This has a FEL but comes with no other implements. Is the PTO CW or CCW?

 

[NHmitch]

The PTO turns CW. It has three speeds, 472, 752, 1177 and the tractor is a 15 horse, but with a lot of punch. It has 6 forward speeds, and two reverse. High and low gear, 4WD, diff lock, starts on the coldest day. I have a G154, and its a little tank. I love this tractor. Some people will tell you that parts are hard, or impossible to find, but that really is not the case at all. Some items like the rims can be a bit tougher to find, but with some research, you can find them without a problem. We can help you on the forums to find the parts that you need if you need any at all. There is an established parts network, and you really have a bonus with this tractor since it has a loader. My tractor has been incredible, and it should be very similar to your MT372. Iseki makes a great tractor, and I don't think that you will be sorry for one minute make this purchase. Hopefully you can get the tractor, and clean it up. I fixed mine up, and I use it every day. I used it today to haul about 2000lbs of dirt and gravel, lifted a concrete well cover off, and plow our garden. Very long day, but I spent it on the back of the tractor, and it makes life so much easier. I really think that you will enjoy this model. Let us know if you get it!

Mitch

My G154 after paint, new decals, and ROPS.

 

[gdigger]

I have a G152 and it is a great tractor, lots of power for a 15 HP always cranks and lots of fun

 

[Ilikeurtractor]

You'll find your 372 and the G154 to be pretty much the same machine for all intents and purposes. No the parts aren't identical/interchangable except for engine parts, but parts are about the same difficulty to get which I consider to be moderate only because there are limited suppliers. Some parts *can* only be had from "donor" machines (i.e. certain gears, frame components, and others), but that wouldn't stop me from picking either of those machines up as I don't believe the hard-to-find parts you'll need to look for. All of your consumable items can be had fairly easily.

As an FYI, I've heard the Iseki front 4wd axles are a bit more robust than the Satoh front ends of the similar style (the ones that use u-joints going to the front wheels) so that may be a bit of reassurance for you. I have an S373D that uses a different style front axle with no u-joints going to each front wheel (i.e. no "pumpkin" at each wheel) and it appears to have held up well over the years. I just want to point out there are some variations out there on axle designs among this size tractor.

 

[284 International]

As an FYI, I've heard the Iseki front 4wd axles are a bit more robust than the Satoh front ends of the similar style (the ones that use u-joints going to the front wheels) so that may be a bit of reassurance for you. I have an S373D that uses a different style front axle with no u-joints going to each front wheel (i.e. no "pumpkin" at each wheel) and it appears to have held up well over the years. I just want to point out there are some variations out there on axle designs among this size tractor.

What are the front ends of the Iseki like? Do they use CV joints instead of U-joints, or are they spindle-gear styles ala Yanmar? I have a Satoh ST1440 that I have always though was virtually identical to the S373; I don't know if it uses U-joints or not. I'll post some photos tomorrow. I am curious if it is the same as your machine.

 

[NHmitch]

This is a photo of the front end of my 4wd Bolens G154 if this helps at all? Also, from what I can tell. the tires are larger in on the Bolens G154 than whats on the MT372. The front tires on the MT372 are 4-9, and on the G154, they are 5.00-12. The rear on the MT372 are 8-16, and on the G154, they are 8-16. I guess the rear tires are the same. The Satoh ST1440, and the G154, do look very, very similar. I think that they modeled these tractors off of each other in Japan when they were first built. Do you have any photos of your Satoh? Thanks,

Mitch

 

[284 International]

The only photo I have of the front of my ST1440 is this one, and unfortunately it isn't high resolution or at a good angle. It is beside my Yanmar 1401D, the equivalent machine. Both are 14 PTO hp, 2 range with 3 forward speeds, 3 cylinder engines with 3 PTO speeds.

The Satoh is slightly smaller, but the Yanmar is nearer the camera and has a loader, so the difference is not as large as it appears.

 

[NHmitch]

They are both nice tractors! I think that your Model Yanmar will be my next tractor. The G154 is 15hp, and I think that most of the parts are very similar. I just put a Yanmar steering wheel on my Bolens, and an electrical part came from a Suzue Tractor, another neat tractor. I like the loader that you have on the Yanmar, do you know who made that? Thanks for the photos!

Mitch

 

[284 International]

I don't know who built the loader, but I'm suspicious it is a Bulldog loader, as I also suspect this may be a Vietnamese reconditioned machine.

I don't care: this loader is superb. It lifts relatively high, and will go well below grade, too.

Having had both, there isn't much to choose between the 1440 or the 1401. The next size up, my Yanmar 186 (1510 in the grey versions) is significantly more tractor. If you have option, buy one of those.

I'll take some shots of the 1440 tomorrow.

Skylark guy, we have totally hijacked your thread. Sorry about that. Did you decide to pick it up?

 

[skylarkguy]

No worries on the Hijack, the conversation was valuable. I guess for me I have no particular brand loyalty. The I idea of having 2 machines with the same engine is appealing. I pitched it to my wife and got a tentative thumbs up, so I'll go back to the owner with an offer.

I did get the "we don't want to end up with a barn full of junk lecture" though so this might be the second and last tractor for a while...but implements don't count as junk right? :laughing:

I'll post picts if it make it home...

 

[NHmitch]

Thats great, glad to hear it! I hope that you can get it! I also forgot to mention, on the G154, there is a small white panel below the radiator grate on the front. You can see this on my photos. Behind that plate is a second PTO, that you can use to run a belly mower, or a front pto pump, ect. See photo below. Anyways, let us know, and post some pics when you get it, My wife is the same about my "junk", and I have to ease her into each new implement, ect, I know the feeling.

Mitch

 

[284 International]

Does yours actually have a PTO shaft behind there, or simply a cutout in the panel from the factory? How does the pump, clutch, or whatever attach?

I did get the "we don't want to end up with a barn full of junk lecture" though so this might be the second and last tractor for a while...but implements don't count as junk right?...

I am the wrong guy to ask about that, having added another Yanmar 240 and a Ford 1700 to the "junk heap" since this picture was taken. And no, I'm not married. :laughing:

 

[NHmitch]

Wow, thats a great collection, being married cuts into that big time, trust me, I am very jealous of my brother at times who is sigle, and has many more "toys". The front PTO is interesting. There is a standard PTO shaft behind there, but it runs off of a belt that turns the fan/alternator. I have seen set ups where people use them for PTO hydraulic pumps for a loader. There was a unique looking gear box that attaches for a belly mower, and that may have a control built in? Otherwise it just runs when the engine is running. I'll have to take a picture of it. Its kind of a neat stock item.

Mitch

 

[Ilikeurtractor]

[snip]

I am the wrong guy to ask about that, having added another Yanmar 240 and a Ford 1700 to the "junk heap" since this picture was taken. And no, I'm not married. :laughing:

That's a mighty fine "junk heap". Looks like all of them are in good to great condition. Nice. I've seen some real junk heaps that would make that look like a 2013 Mercedes showroom floor!

Also, I like the JD on the right. I have a Craftman LT1000 that I can't seem to replace yet due to some logistics with the tractors. I'm trying to get to the point of letting that one go, but I know I'll regret it for mowing. It's fast, smooth, and handles great. Unfortunately that's about all it can do well and I have other needs only the tractors can fill.

 

[Ilikeurtractor]

The only photo I have of the front of my ST1440 is this one, and unfortunately it isn't high resolution or at a good angle. It is beside my Yanmar 1401D, the equivalent machine. Both are 14 PTO hp, 2 range with 3 forward speeds, 3 cylinder engines with 3 PTO speeds.

The Satoh is slightly smaller, but the Yanmar is nearer the camera and has a loader, so the difference is not as large as it appears.

The S373D front axle looks like an identical design to your ST1440 as best as I can tell from the picture. It uses the spindle gear design.

 

[284 International]

Here are a couple shots of the front axle of my ST1440. As an aside, if you look in the picture above, you can see a groove under the radiator/grille. That is a pass-through for a crankshaft-driven PTO, but mine doesn't have anything other than a special crankshaft pulley to power anything. The pulley is drilled to accommodate a plate mounted to its face.

My John Deere mower is a very adequate mower. It is a 17 hp Briggs, with a 42" deck. I keep it because, as Ilikeyourtractor said, it does lawn mowing very well. It's sort of a one-trick pony, but it's a pretty handy trick. It's much more maneuverable than a tractor with a rear cutter, and much easier to get near or under trees on the grass.

The "junk heap" is relative, I know. Everything except the IH 284 is in excellent working condition, and that's honestly all that matters to me. I get regular offers from people who will "help me out" by hauling all of "those old junky tractors" off for me... I don't have for sale signs on them, and have no interest in somebody else hauling off my machines. They aren't pretty, but I like tinkering with them and goofing off in the yard; I enjoy it.

Poor Skyarkguy. I've gone WAY off topic. In that vein: Tell us about the Buick at the root of your name!

 

[skylarkguy]

Hey thanks for asking...

When I was 17 I found this rundown old car. A 1968 Buick Skylark Convertible. Paid $400.00 for it if I recall correctly. Didn't have brakes when I got it etc. etc. It saw me through the remainder of high school, i learned basic, and not so basic mechanics with it. Put 2 engines in it over time, converted it to front disk brakes. Learned about paying attention after roasting an engine due to a failed 5 dollar radiator cap. It was a rust heap being from Illinois but looked good from a distance.

Because I have a hard time letting go I was still driving that car when I was 34, but had moved to Sacramento California. Renting an apartment on N street in a not great part of town. Thanksgiving weekend came and went and on the following Monday I went out to go to work and low and behold someone had lifted my car, vanished, without a trace...not even glass on the ground. I made the report and called daily to the Sacramento PD for a couple weeks. My car was gone for good it seemed.

Somewhere along the way I needed a moniker was thinking about it and came up with it. So began my on-line id. Some days I really miss the old thing, especially when the air cools after a hot day and I remember cruising along, wind in the hair, some cute girl in the passenger seat if i was lucky (so more often alone:laughing

I think old tractors kind of represent a similar idea. Something to fix and improve and get to know and put to good use. Similar but different. I've kicked the idea around about getting another one, but likely won't...can't rewrite that chapter.

So it goes..

 

[PossumHound]

Hey thanks for asking...

When I was 17 I found this rundown old car. A 1968 Buick Skylark Convertible. Paid $400.00 for it if I recall correctly. Didn't have brakes when I got it etc. etc. It saw me through the remainder of high school, i learned basic, and not so basic mechanics with it. Put 2 engines in it over time, converted it to front disk brakes. Learned about paying attention after roasting an engine due to a failed 5 dollar radiator cap. It was a rust heap being from Illinois but looked good from a distance.

Because I have a hard time letting go I was still driving that car when I was 34, but had moved to Sacramento California. Renting an apartment on N street in a not great part of town. Thanksgiving weekend came and went and on the following Monday I went out to go to work and low and behold someone had lifted my car, vanished, without a trace...not even glass on the ground. I made the report and called daily to the Sacramento PD for a couple weeks. My car was gone for good it seemed.

Somewhere along the way I needed a moniker was thinking about it and came up with it. So began my on-line id. Some days I really miss the old thing, especially when the air cools after a hot day and I remember cruising along, wind in the hair, some cute girl in the passenger seat if i was lucky (so more often alone:laughing

I think old tractors kind of represent a similar idea. Something to fix and improve and get to know and put to good use. Similar but different. I've kicked the idea around about getting another one, but likely won't...can't rewrite that chapter.

So it goes..

Nice story, you tell it well and that last paragraph sounds true to me:thumbsup:

PH

 

[Ilikeurtractor]

[snip]
I think old tractors kind of represent a similar idea. Something to fix and improve and get to know and put to good use. Similar but different. I've kicked the idea around about getting another one, but likely won't...can't rewrite that chapter.

So it goes..

These older tractors have given me an excuse to buy and use tools I normally just don't have a use for. I just added a small stick welder and oxy-acetylene torch set. It's been at least a decade since the last time I've used these things and I really have been missing out and forgot how neat that stuff is. I'm looking at acquiring a small lathe soon and probably a vertical mill down the road. I've have grown out-of-touch with using these tools/machines and I see it as quite detrimental as I grow older. My dad was a welder and machinist his whole life and he could do all kinds of neat things with what he knew. I want to be able to show my sons those same things and give them an opportunity to at least get some experiences like my dad gave me. Having these tractors gives purpose to that concept. Certainly, one could pick a lot of things to pursue this with, the tractors seem to fit well for me though.

 

[284 International]

I want to be able to show my sons those same things and give them an opportunity to at least get some experiences like my dad gave me. Having these tractors gives purpose to that concept. Certainly, one could pick a lot of things to pursue this with, the tractors seem to fit well for me though.

Amen. You're doing right by your sons, too. It's always really interesting to see how astonished the average person is when a young man is able to do things for themselves. Even if one hasn't done exactly the task at hand, a background experience in similar things can lend one the know-how and confidence to do it anyway.

Plus, it's FUN! Making things that work, are tangible, and so forth is satisfying in fundamental ways, and is a nice change from everyday, first-world life.