eBay/Craigslist Satoh S-650G - Hello -

Compact Driver · Mar 1, 2018

Hello,

Just joined the forum and there is no get to know the new guy section, so I thought I'd step in on a project tractor I'm going to buy. I found a Satoh S-650G on Craig's List and just couldn't pass up getting a little friend for my Kubota B8200D. This is really a matter of rescuing a little tractor and giving it a good home. I haven't taken possession of it yet, so I would like to know where I stand. Are there any opinions that anyone wants to share about the Bison?

I live in Vermont and we get plenty of snow and cold. We had about 45 days of frigid weather and it was a test of man and machine. I plan on using the Satoh with 3 point hitch attachments because I find myself keeping the backhoe on the Kubota instead of doing the on and off routine. I have a 5 ft back blade that came with my Kubota so I'm not starting with nothing. I would really like to get a used tiller to be able to blend areas of my lawn that are uneven and do more gardening. I don't think the simple things I need to do with this tractor would be too hard to accomplish. The Bison has a sickle bar mower with it that I'm going to immediately remove and probably sell, or trade for that tiller I want.

I guess I'll leave things there until I have tractor on my property. Things could go badly and I may have to talk about my Kubota.

Oh, I found the Newbie's intro page.

Compact Driver · Mar 4, 2018

So, now I have a problem. I now have a Satoh Bison (S-560G) and I need to find out what year it is, (Under 1000 serial number) and a good clear version of the service manual. It needs work! It is a restoration project that I hope can bear some fruit for this summer. If I can get it running and be able to use it while I'm doing parts of it that don't the affect operation then I can do the major work next winter, of I can make a place to do it. So here's some pictures.
Oh, and is there anyone who can make the Satoh decals on the sides of the hood?

Sonny580 · Mar 6, 2018

A sickle mower!!! WOW!! My tractor was in pieces when I got it.--Didn't think it was all there, but it did go together well. Not sure about year of the numbers, gotta be chart somewhere!
Mine is also an S-650-G --Mazda engine 3-pt. hitch plus standard Dbar! thanks; sonny580

Compact Driver · Mar 7, 2018

Hi Sonny580 do you have any pictures of your project tractor? I am trying to make something work for a video log of the whole process, but the cameras I've used so far won't get the job done. I have an action cam with great video, but it has no audio while in the all weather case, so that didn't work well, and I tried a cheapo cam that had great audio, but poor picture quality and a really annoying narrow field of view. HD?? Not. So I will try a couple of other cameras around the house to find one that is acceptable. Maybe I'm just not supposed to do camera appearances.

Sonny580 · Mar 7, 2018

This is one of the videos right after I got it running.--You can make it full screen for a better look.

thanks; sonny

stingray1 · Mar 7, 2018

Welcome to the forum. I had a Satoh Bison 4x4 diesel,mine was blue and white with a the headlights in the grill. It was a fun little tractor.

Sonny580 · Mar 7, 2018

Mine is not supposed to be black with orange wheels, BUT former owner was member of hells angles cycle club, SO,---He painted the poor ole 650 that color AND put harley-davidson decals on it! thanks; sonny

Compact Driver · Mar 7, 2018

Sonny,

I have to admit that I really wonder if those customizers think for a moment about what their results look like. Some have a real flair for making a tractor unique, and others just want to throw as many badges and colors as they can at something that shouldn't be messed with. The Satoh will probably never match a Mustang in regards to appreciation, but which is more versatile in the field and in the number of tasks it can perform? There's no doubt that anyone can afford a used Satoh and do whatever they can imagine with a little work. If you need to improve your property, or you feel the need to create your own little farm with haying and planting fields the size of the Satoh S-650G is surprising, and though I haven't had any experience with it yet I think I will be pleasantly pleased with being able to do what I intend to do with it.

Sonny580 · Mar 8, 2018

I really like mine, it's narrow , turns good, light so it don't pack the garden dirt, yet powerful for it's size.
I will probably never get it painted to the factory colors, but it still works for me, Neighbors kinda scratch their heads when they see the HD decals on it!! LOL!!! thanks; sonny580

Compact Driver · Mar 21, 2018

Can anyone tell me what battery you are using in your Satoh S-650G tractor? I have been looking for the right battery and the shape best fits the Group 51R batteries The only problem is that you can only get a 500 CCA battery and my Kubota is still using a 800 CCA battery after about 7 years without more than a few jumps in extreme cold weather. She doesn't get babied. So, what are you using.

Sonny580 · Mar 23, 2018

I have 22 NF in mine, works ok for me.--turns over good and always starts. thanks; sonny580

Compact Driver · Mar 26, 2018

Hi Sonny580,
Looks like a good match, but I'm concerned about the CCAs. It was bitter cold up here this year, and that includes within the last week. Today it was over 40 degrees, but last week it was in the teens. I'm just glad we didn't get the big storm they were forecasting. I'm slowly moving down my list. Here are a couple of pictures from the last couple of work days. One comes with a question. Do any of you, (S-650G owners) have a mid mount PTO? I haven't seen it listed as part of the tractor configuration, but as you'll see I have one on my tractor. The second set of pictures is my tar filled gas tank.

Looking at the middle picture there is a lever that engages the PTO? It doesn't seem to lock front or rear at this point I'm wondering if it has to be under power? In the pictures of the gas tank and filter you can see why the previous owner thought it was shot. Looking into that filter you might guess a new tank was in order as well. I just happened to know that there was a filter there.

Tpr26 · Apr 12, 2018

I also just bought a Satoh 650 that I will be restoring. Does anyone know where I could purchase a front end loader for it?

PILOON · Apr 12, 2018

I own a Mitsu 180D (big brother) and I simply install the largest battery that fits.
The K3 diesel wants repetitive glow plug cycles when cold so large is a plus. (also like block heat when cold)
Great work horse,

flingwing1969 · Apr 12, 2018

Welcome. You see, there are a number of Satoh members here.

Sonny580 · Apr 13, 2018

My S-650-G does not have mid pto, that I remember!---Gotta look for sure, but dont remember seeing one one mine!
The pto lever feels like it just lays back on mine.--not a snap like a dent or anything.---might hafta look again!--tractor is 26 miles from here on a fence job, and should be home soon!
As for loaders,--you would probably have to either build one to fit, or adapt a light one to fit.---I wouldn't use loader on it because the steering box is not built very heavy!--I had to rebuild mine and it's not a fun job!---Also without power steering, it would be a bear to steer!-- If you do a loader, don't get a very big/heavy one! I have 3 New Holland skid loaders, a 1956 Deere 420-U loader/backhoe, case 580-ck loader/backhoe, IH 250-c- series II crawler loader, plus others so in my case I don't need
loaders right now. thanks; sonny580

Compact Driver · Apr 17, 2018

Well, I blew this reply last night when I fell asleep and then just turned off the computer without checking for unfinished work. Tpr26 I don't have a clue where you can get the loader, but they were a factory accessory. The lifting power was listed as 1653.7 lbs. So that's what you need to find in whatever you can get. I've seen plenty of them without power assist steering, but my experience with my Kubota is that you really want power assist. All that being said, I really would like to find the front, side mount headlights, carburetor parts, or a whole carb, and the rear spot light. If you have just an original lens I can work with that. (Rusted out bucket?) My lens is marked Satoh, so I'd like to replace it with the same lens. There are lots of other parts I need, but lets start with the small stuff.

Has anyone had trouble with their throttle? My throttle lever isn't moving, but it seems as though the trouble is in the throttle wire where it bends. Otherwise everything goes in and out, just not all the way from one end to the other. I also have a funky looking set up that isn't shown in the parts manual that holds that corner. It has to be some kind of replacement, but I would rather have the two simple metal pieces that it was designed for. I'll try to get some pictures soon, but Vermont is having crazy cold, snowy weather right now, and I'm doing some things inside that need to be done.

Anyone with a parts tractor let me know what you have and we'll work out something. Otherwise, I'm on the hunt.

Since I have the parts catalog now. (Paid a small fortune) I can scan a page or two if you need to see how things go together. Later guys and gals.

stnbenn · Feb 1, 2020

Compact Driver, I just bought a Series 24 for mine and its a 540 CCA. I really didn't want to spend $130 for the 51. I had to alter the battery holder slightly, but this battery is $50 and it spins it over just fine. With no cold weather it should work just fine here in Fl.

stnbenn · Feb 14, 2020

Finally got my S650G 27 hp tractor running but I can see that it needs carb work. Have to partially choke it to keep it running. Anyone know of the correct kit to use on these? I understand many of the kits sold have parts that are not correct. Thanks in advance for your info. My tractor runs well, and of course has some hydraulic leaks, but seems strong. Will post some photos when I get the new wiring job all tucked away.

Sonny580 · Feb 15, 2020

On mine you have to kinda fiddle with the choke as you go! lol!! The throttle works good, kinda stiff but will pull peg the tach. with no problem yet IF you mess with the choke, it will idle at 500.
For a carb kit I checked into one and found it would be $100. and has a million tiny parts in it so I never got one.--- I wonder if a Mazda dealer could get one?---This engine is the same one that they used in the Mazda 626 sedan. ---Read a story a while back about a guy taking one of these and tweeked it a bit and clocked 250 mph on race track! I know they scream!---Mine has a harley davidson muffler on it and screams like a 71 series Detroit diesel! lol!