"I bought this tractor used and have beat it bad. I skid logs and firewood with it, run a 6 foot brush hog, and a 4 foot snowblower. It has worked hard and never given me any trouble. It will be hard to find parts if I need them though."

"This tractor has been a headache since I bought it. Have burned 2 starter up because all the wires had been changed and I need to find a wiring diagram so I can get it wired up right."

"The local Case dealer let this used tractor go for about $2300 in 1998. He didn't know much about it, nor has anybody else I've talked to. A rare item here in SW Missouri, where the average small acreage is much more likely to be decorated with an old Ford 8N. At the time, the old Fords could be had for $1600-$2200, but the compact size, 12 V electrical, 4 WD, and Japanese reliability made the little Beaver seem like a better value for my 6 acres. The Satoh/Mitsubishi S-373 Beaver III was manufactured from about 1980-1984 - I don't know which year mine was made. There were several other similar models - both gray market and official imports - sometimes re-badged as a different brand. The 3 cylinder diesel (776 cc, or 47 cu.in.) is rated at only 16.5 bare HP (at 2700 RPM) and 30.4 ft. lbs. torque (at 1800 RPM) - but I've never felt mine lacked enough power to do anything I've wanted to do. The three point hitch is a JIS 1" which accepts standard Category 1 implements - but obviously, only the smaller ones are practical. It can lift about 1433 lbs - handy for pulling fence posts and small stumps. I have a bucket scoop I can put on the back - great for moving piles of gravel and rock. The front wheels come off the ground pretty easy - you can see some The 3-point only lifts - it does not push down. The rate of gravity return can be controlled by a valve. PTO has a 1-3/8" 6-spline SAE shaft, rated at 13.6 HP; three different PTO speeds can be selected. Unfortunately there is no mid-PTO for a belly mower. The repair book I have mentions an optional front PTO, which seems to be an extra belt pulley at the front of the engine(?) - but mine does not have that option. Three speeds forward - one reverse - all available in both low range and high range, for a total of 6 forward and 2 reverse. A four speed would have been better, but I get by OK with three. Low reverse is very slow, but high reverse is too fast if any kind of careful steering is required. No synchros (?) - so it's pretty hard to shift into any gear without a little grinding, though on a good day I can go back and forth between 2ond and 3rd almost silently. Transmission/hydraulic fluid (common) looked like it had an alarming amount of metal powder in it the first time I changed it. Traction has been more of a limiting factor for me than power, even with 4WD - mine has the turf tire tread. When pushing 9" of snow with my 4 ft box blade it slips a little more than I'd like, and trying to plow was more frustrating than productive. If I ever need tires, I may switch to ag. tread, or I may try to find some chains. It can mow all day with my 4 ft King Kutter rotary mower - not a finish cut by any criteria, but it keeps the brush down. Being low to the ground, the fan tends to suck weed seeds and chaff into the radiator, which can cause overheating if not cleared periodically. I would prefer a belly mower due to the the superior cut and maneuverability, but I have not been able to find any way to mount an aftermarket brand. Apparently Satoh/Mitsubishi made a belly mower for this tractor, but they are rare. I ended up getting a riding mower for my lawn - the tractor is used only to mow the rough stuff; too bad I didn't get one unit that could do it all. This particular tractor had 605 hours on the ticker when I bought it in 1998 (more likely 1,605 hours - or maybe 2,605?) It did not appear to be particularly well cared for - I'd say the wear and tear looked pretty average for a 14-18 year old tractor. I've put 300 hours on it since then, and except for normal maintenance items - lube, fluids, and batteries - I've not spent one dime on repairs. It has been totally reliable - has never failed to start - even below 0*F - except when due to a dead battery. (I just put my third battery in it, and I've owned it for 14 years.) So far, I've done all my own maintenance, but I'm dreading the day when it needs something I can't do myself. I have no idea how difficult it will be to find someone who can work on it, nor do I know how hard it will be to find parts. It needs a muffler now - I got a quote of $100 from California, but I'm still exploring other options. I was able to find radiator hoses available online, should I need them. It's been a great little tractor for me - with the right sized implements, capable of brush cutting, pushing snow and dirt, hauling wood and rock, dragging dead trees, and pulling cars out of the ditch. About the only thing I regret is not being able to finish mow and not having a dealer I can turn to for parts and repairs (not that I've needed any)."