Ya can't teach an old packrat new tricks...

Went over and hauled off a couple of trailer loads of junk to the transfer station for some folks, wound up taking this in lieu of cash. Satoh S650G (there's that number again...) with 4 cylinder Mitsubishi gas engine. Not running but complete (less distributor) and loose. Also has a 3 point hitch log splitter mounted with it's own PTO driven pump. I have the exact same splitter and it's a beast! The pump alone is $800 new. It's free, the valve works and the ram looks okay, just needs some fresh fluid, a new filter and some hoses.

Even if I can't get the tractor running, the rear tires and rims are worth more than I planned to charge them.

Nice! That’ll occupy a few of your summer days!

mmm .. whats the missus have to say when you brought it home instead of cash

She's used to it and the cash would've gone into my Toy Fund anyway. Anything I make on the side is mine to play with. She gets to keep the rent her brother pays us plus egg money and returnable money. Most months, she tucks away more than I do...

A true Yankee Trader!

Woohoo! Found a distributor for it! I was sweating that, I'd have to part it out if I couldn't find one.

More than I wanted to pay @ $200, but less than I was willing to in a pinch. Carb's rebuilt, new alternator and voltage regulator are "in the mail" and wiring harness is re-fettled just waiting on a couple of connectors. The wee beastie could conceivably be running in a week or so!

Downeaster said:

Went over and hauled off a couple of trailer loads of junk to the transfer station for some folks, wound up taking this in lieu of cash. Satoh S650G (there's that number again...) with 4 cylinder Mitsubishi gas engine. Not running but complete (less distributor) and loose. Also has a 3 point hitch log splitter mounted with it's own PTO driven pump. I have the exact same splitter and it's a beast! The pump alone is $800 new. It's free, the valve works and the ram looks okay, just needs some fresh fluid, a new filter and some hoses.

Even if I can't get the tractor running, the rear tires and rims are worth more than I planned to charge them.

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DE: in the lower photo, the lugnut at 3:00 looks a bit rusty - but that should buff-out nicely.

Other than that - she looks like a minter and is good to go!!

Pete

Downeaster said:

Woohoo! Found a distributor for it! I was sweating that, I'd have to part it out if I couldn't find one.

More than I wanted to pay @ $200, but less than I was willing to in a pinch. Carb's rebuilt, new alternator and voltage regulator are "in the mail" and wiring harness is re-fettled just waiting on a couple of connectors. The wee beastie could conceivably be running in a week or so!

Click to expand...

OK - sooooo......is there an XS650 in your future now that you're rolling in green?

Well given my history with "free" stuff...probably not.
It's like the puppy that followed me home: I really SHOULD find it's owner, but it's so dang cute...

Update on the Satoh:

While waiting on the distributor to arrive, I rebuilt the wiring harness, replaced the alternator, voltage regulator and ignition switch, and built some new battery cables. Got all that installed along with new points, rotor and cap for the distributor.

After a bit of messing around to get the distributor timed right, I have it starting and running for a few seconds. The problem now is the carburetor. It looks like the inlet needle valve isn't seating right and the fuel pump is pushing fuel past it and flooding the engine out.

It's been unseasonably hot (for Maine...) with temps in the high 80's and low 90's and this old tundra Yankee don't do that kind of heat so I packed it in around 10:00 this morning. I'll pull the carb back off tomorrow morning before it gets too hot and see if I can spot the problem.

Downeaster said:

with temps in the high 80's and low 90's and this old tundra Yankee don't do that kind of heat

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Yup - I’m with you on that one Paul. Too danged hot for outdoor work just now.

Happy Father’s Day tomorrow everyone!

Pete

Adjusted the float level and found a jet hiding behind the bowl drain that was plugged. Didn't even know it WAS a jet but saw a faint outline of a screwdriver slot and picked at it a bit. Covered in solidified silt. Once that was cleared, it started right up and ran very well. Just need to put a timing light on it.

Beyond that, I need to replace the front tires and tube and get a battery and a seat and it's ready to go.

That's sweet!
Good work. Kinda fun to work on stuff where there isn't a detailed web how to for every little repair.

Downeaster said:

Adjusted the float level and found a jet hiding behind the bowl drain that was plugged. Didn't even know it WAS a jet but saw a faint outline of a screwdriver slot and picked at it a bit. Covered in solidified silt. Once that was cleared, it started right up and ran very well. Just need to put a timing light on it.

Beyond that, I need to replace the front tires and tube and get a battery and a seat and it's ready to go.

Click to expand...

....now THAT sounds very much like the wake-up drill for a....YAMAHA XS650!
...young man

BTW - do you have the cowl for that old gal? She sure sounds healthy!

MaxPete said:

BTW - do you have the cowl for that old gal? She sure sounds healthy!

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I do. Been doing some Redneck Body Work (think BFH) on it and the fenders, will reinstall in a day or three.

Downeaster said:

I do. Been doing some Redneck Body Work (think BFH) on it and the fenders, will reinstall in a day or three.

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Cool - that’ll be a real chick magnet when you go drag racin’ in downtown Prospect Harbour!

Pete

I bought a seat and a battery yesterday and installed them today.

Battery sits on the right axle housing between the 3 point casting and the fender. TIGHT fit. The original battery bracket was rust flakes and acid powder, so I build a new one. Had to sort of design it on the fly and I'm still not completely happy with it, but it'll do for now. The fender on that side needs to be tweeked too, it's pushed in towards the seat and binding on the side of the battery and the lever for the 3 point hitch.

Fabbed up a new mount and mounted a Tractor Supply generic seat Sits a little high but actually works out for me with my long legs.

With all that done I aired up the bad tire on the front, fired it up and drove around the place a little. Clutch works (tho I haven't really loaded it to see if it slips) brakes work well enough for now. Pedals are pretty stiff, probably a lubrication issue. Expect they'll loosen up some with use.

3x2 Transmission works in all gears and ranges. 3 point hitch goes up and down and stops where you set the lever like it's supposed to. No strange noises, no indications of overheating, no smoke out of the exhaust or indications that it's burning any significant amount of oil.

Little surprised that the rings and clutch weren't stuck after it sat out in the weather for at least 4 years.

Steering is REALLY stiff. Need to jack the weight off the front tires and see if it's in the steering box or linkages or just the Nature of the Beast.

All in all, a decent little tractor. After I get a few more kinks worked out of it, I'll hook it to the plow that came with it and see if it has any balls.

Little progress report:

Pulled the right front kingpin and spindle out. Housing was solid full of dried up grease, had to scrape it out with a screwdriver. Cleaned it all up and lubed the thrust bearing on the bottom and that side is MUCH better now. Got to looking at the wheel bearings and they're pretty pitted and the races don't look all that good either. Probably be fine for no more than it'll get used, but I figured what the hell, I've got it apart, never have a better chance to replace the bearings and grease seal. Parts on order. Seeing as I had to order parts anyway, I ordered enough to do both sides.

Got the tires peeled off the front rims and they were NASTY. Popped them in the electrolysis tank for a couple of days, then hit them with a knotted wire wheel. Clean, but really, REALLY pitted around the bead surface. Think WW-I No Man's Land. Took two applications of JB Weld (with sanding in between) to get that surface usable. Squirted the whole thing with Rustoleum Appliance Epoxy and as soon as that hardens, I'll go have the new tubes and tires installed.

While waiting for parts and for the paint to cure, I hauled that log splitter out of the barn and went through it. Couple of new hoses and drained and replaced the hydraulic oil and it works perfectly. Put it on Craigslist as it's an exact duplicate of the one I already have so I'll tuck a little money away in the Toy Fund.

Meant to say, the steering is STILL awful stiff even with the drag link disconnected. Something in the steering box or shaft itself. Quick visual inspection doesn't show any easy way to get the box apart. Not at all sure I want to dive into that but may not have any choice. Doesn't seem like it's going to free up on it's own.