s 370 D clutch or transmission problem...can you help?

beaversandcubs · May 12, 2013

I have a Satoh S370D, was going down the driveway and decided to depress the clutch and coast out the bottom 20 yards...didn't seem like a bad idea until I engaged the clutch while still moving faster than the tractors typical third gear speed. I heard a sound much like glass breaking or possibly pieces of metal. Well,you guessed it...now it won't move. Before I get the wrenches out I'm looking for some advice as to clutch, coupler, transmission gear or shaft or where to start.
1. It is difficult to get into gates of all gears with tractor running or not (but it will go in) and no grinding with engine running.
2. The PTO does not work at any speed.
3. If I depress the clutch pedal in any gear the engine speed decreases ever so slightly but the tractor does not try to move.
Looking forward to your help! Thanks in advance.

oliver28472 · May 13, 2013

It sounds like the transmission to me and it is easier to pull the top cover off and look than to split the tractor. In the end you might have to do both.

beaversandcubs · May 13, 2013

l will take a look under the cover this week. Thanks

Ehanson · May 13, 2013

My third speed in S373-D is missing a few teeth. I know this by taking the shift cover off. I used a magnet to "fish"
out the broken teeth and now only run in first and second. If the clutch friction disc piled up you might be able to remove starter and with small mirror and light see around the back side of friction disc for inspection? I haven't tried this, but opted to split tractor and repair clutch.

Ilikeurtractor · May 14, 2013

The third gear in my S373D had failed when I got it as well. It still worked, but made seme pretty scary growling noises. Apparently the third gear in these tractors isn't quite as robust as one would hope. I think the transaxle is the same in the 370 and 373 but I'm not positive.

Ehanson · May 14, 2013

I took apart an old Pontiac Firefly transmission the other day to see if any gears in it would be the same diameter and tooth count. It doesn't look good, of course all the gears in the PF trans are helical cut. I wonder if I could adapt and remachine the case of the tractor to take the gears of some other transmission?