New member, Satoh ST1510D, Beaver-like

[Phil24]

Hi everyone,
This is the Satoh ST 1510D I bought recently, the Japanese-market version of the US Beaver S370D, ancestor of the Mitsubishi 1500D if I'm not mistaken (the price tag is still on, in euros).
What a story, I had never sat on a tractor before and wasn't looking for one at first (rebuked by the price of new tractors).
My Satoh is apparently ideal for the job and the ideal toy too. The engine is the KE 75 (2 cylinders, 764 cc, 15 HP, 4 wheel drive, serial number 800150, engine no. 0-7644). Directly imported from the Japanese rice paddies. Presumably from 1979-1980 before Mitsubishi took Satoh over (I learnt all this on the Net, mostly on this great forum).
Condition all right, everything works fine, some parts repainted (wheel rims). No meter but I guess it's under the 2,000 hours.
I bought what you call a rough mower, of about the same width as the tractor and used it for a couple of hours on a very wet soil. Everything was cut fine, what a great experience! The only thing is my land (in France) is rather (read: very) steep, I went extremely slowly but the front wheels started to take off on two occasions. I'll feel better when I get the rops I've ordered in the States. If you've any tip concerning my new baby please let me know I'd really appreciate. Here some more pics.
Phil24

 

[wushaw]

Good looking tractor
I have a 2WD Mitisubishi 372...they are definity from the same assembly line with very little differences.
Mine has been a great little workhorse.

 

[AMP762]

With that mower you're going to have to add some weight on the front

 

[Phil24]

Indeed, AMP762, if you watch carefully you can see one has already been added (an ex wheel weight actually), but it only weighs 15 kilos which is definitely not enough.
Wushaw, has your MT372 the same KE 75 engine ? Do you see any difference other than minor ones?
Has anybody an easy cure against my leaking petrol tank cap (I thought of making a cork seal), is this the original cap?
Thanks for all your reactions.
Phil24

 

[wushaw]

I am not close to my 372 but your pictures of the engine look identical to my 372 engine.
My 372 has a hole cut in the hood for the air cleaner cover and the fuel cap which is a steel cap that works just like a radiator cap and it does leak a little but it is just a smear of fluid...not bad.
I have 179lbs of homemade ft. ballast and filled rear tires with just water (I have tubes) it works just fine with my 400lb tiller on the back.

 

[Bill Barrett]

welcome phil, i'm in the US and have a S650G 26 hp 2 wheel drive. i've used it for over 2 years been a good old tractor. i have a new L3130 4 wheel drive Kubota and still go back to the Satoh for mowing under trees, and wife runs it all the time.

 

[Phil24]

- Concerning colors, does anybody know the references of the Mitsubishi blue & white (identical to the Satoh models) or of another firm's closely matching colors ?
- Concerning the exhaust gases we have the pleasure to breathe on our tractors, has someone made a comparison between an exhaust mounted vertically like on my Satoh or horizontally as on the Beaver version ?
PHIL24

 

[lens12]

Take a peice with the color you want to a paint store that can scan & custom mix it for you.

 

[wushaw]

- Concerning colors, does anybody know the references of the Mitsubishi blue & white (identical to the Satoh models) or of another firm's closely matching colors ?
- Concerning the exhaust gases we have the pleasure to breathe on our tractors, has someone made a comparison between an exhaust mounted vertically like on my Satoh or horizontally as on the Beaver version ?
PHIL24

No but when there is no breeze, I can't hardly stand to breath the fumes.

I have just used Ford blue for painting any rust spots since I figure the paint is faded. It looks good.

 

[Satoh370D]

I just bought one of these ST1510D's also. I bought mine with a blown motor because the price seemed right. Can anybody point me in the right direction to get a motor rebuilt? Please E-mail me with anything you might know. I'm in the Salem Oregon area. nicandlorraine@yahoo.com

Thank you. Nic