Upgrading a riding mower seat to a suspension seat - what have you done?

[Dan_69GTX]

I need to upgrade the seat on the garden tractor from the original 1994 version to a suspension seat - either air or mechanical, due to my back can't take the bouncing after back surgery.

So, what have you done?
What seat did you use - did you like it?
Any recommendation on the mechanical seat vs air?
Any good place to get one (that you have dealt with and been happy).
I have sat in some of the zero turn mowers with suspension seats and have been impressed.

The Kubota already has one - mechanical - and it works fine. It would just be too tall for what I need so I can't just get an exact replacement.

From mount to top of seat cushion needs to be about 6.5-7" to maintain good seating geometry.

The stupid gas tank under the existing seat means I'll be fabricating the mount, so I'm not concerned with the bolt pattern of the seat mount.

Thanks!
Dan

 

[Dan_69GTX]

Well, since no one has responded, I'll let you know what I ended up doing.

I bought the mechanical suspension seat from a Gravely Zero Turn mower. Did a lot of measuring and calculations ahead of time but didn't think of one of them. The length of the seat cushion. The new one is longer, so getting the seat close enough means the bottom of the cushion is close to the steering wheel Still works, just not for short people.

It is SOOO much more comfortable. Mowed last night and could stand up afterwards. I think this is more comfortable than my Kubota seat. Or maybe that seat has hardened some after 12 years of use.

Sorry about the messy shop.

 

[AEdelheit]

Looks good!

Was hoping to see a some sneak peeks of the GTX though...

 

[Dan_69GTX]

Was hoping to see a some sneak peeks of the GTX though...

Sorry, haven't done much with it yet this year. Too busy with other stuff (mowing the yard, mowing the field, tilling, weeding the garden, planting the garden, cleaning gutters, replacing washed out gravel, etc. etc etc)

 

[Wiredawg]

a messy shop is a sign work gets done. I straightened mine up before surgery. I can actually see workbench surface now.

I have an Ariens, which is the Plymouth of the Gravely line. Has a great padded suspension seat with fold up armrests. Very comfortable. Only pain is getting on off this zero turn. Blades turn so fast, if they were bigger, I'd have myself a hovercraft.

Good post on the seat upgrade.

Cheers, Ron

 

[JR]

What model is that Wheel Horse? I have a 210-5 sitting in the back garage. Dad bought it new in the early 80's and passed it on to me when I bought my first house. If I didn't have so much to mow now I'd probably still be using it. It ran like a top when I parked it.

 

[Dan_69GTX]

I have two "314-8", a 1994 model I bought used in 2001 from a friend of mine. Only had 251 hours then, Now 3 hour meters later, it only has 91 hours on it. Guessing maybe 1200-1300 total? Also have a snow blower and tiller for it.

I got my Dad's 1995 that has less than 500 hours on it.

Both have the 42" mower decks. I put the seat on the 1995.

Both have the Kohler single cyl motor. And both still run great. Both have been well serviced since new!

I keep building up the tines on the tiller since I don't wanna spend the $400 plus for new ones.

 

[JR]

Those generation of Wheel Horses were dependable lawn tractors. My little 210 has a cast iron Briggs. Never burned a drop of oil and zero issues through 2200ish hrs when it got parked. The only part that failed was the starter. Carb has never been rebuilt. Alot of people bust on Briggs but every single unit I've owned has been great, including the 35hp Vanguard on my zero turn with around 1700 hrs.
I've had good luck with them.

 

[Dan_69GTX]

I had to replace the starter bendix on one - the rubber part dried out and wouldn't consistently throw it out.

Replaced fuel pumps on both.

Very little ethanol gas has gone through them.

Don't think I've ever replaced any mower spindle bearings,

I did have to replace the chain idler in the snow blower - naturally a non lubeable part.

 

[Dan_69GTX]

The mower seat has been GREAT! I can mow and not feel like my back has another herniated disc!

Now it makes me wonder what this seat would be like on a mower that has it's own suspension - say a Ferris or something similar.