Adding suspension to BX1860 seat

[Bravo Xray]

I've been scouring the internet for weeks trying to find a reasonable way to add suspension to my OEM seat. Haven't found anything that says it will fit, and I even bought a universal type in the hopes I could modify it. No luck.

I'm not going to buy a $500 air seat... just don't have the disposable funds for that. I'd like to find something that I can modify for $200 or less. My local Kubota dealer is no help.

So, has anybody found a way to add suspension to an 08 BX1860 OEM seat? Thanks in advance for any and all constructive solutions.

 

[zmansmac]

Hey Bravo, I don't have a BX but I do have an older B7500 (a little bigger) and I suspect the seats are probably about the same size. I recently bought a new Michigan mechanical suspension seat (Amazon.com: Michigan Black Seat, Milsco V53 High Back Suspension Seat W/Lumbar #1598 #HE: Automotive) for my 3 year old zero turn and so I decided to use the original zero turn seat (that had no suspension and use it to replace my old, cracked Kubota seat. But I wanted to add a suspension system on it as well.

After doing some research I bought this one SEAT SUSPENSION KIT FITS BAD BOY,GRAVELY,DEERE,TORO,SCAG,HUSTLER,EXMARK #FF | eBay which only adds about 2 inches in height.

It has an adjustable weight setting and I did have to make some mods to fit the bottom of the suspension to the tractor but the seat was a standard bolt pattern, so no problem there. But even if you had to mod it to fit your seat it shouldn't be too difficult. For $140 this is a good value to get a basic suspension for your seat.

But if you use your BX to mow and your ground is as bumpy as mine I would opt for the Milsco V-5300 Michigan seat as it is as good and better than some of the air suspension seats that cost much more.

 

[Bravo Xray]

Thanks, zman-
I tried the second one you listed, and it wasn't even close to working... different width and length of the mounting surfaces. If I can't find something closer, I might have to go with something like that and fabricate an adapter (which is what I had to do to make the same suspension fit my '17 Gravely ZTHD). thanks again for the reply!

 

[kthompson]

Do not overlook air pressure in the tires. If high it makes ride harder also. No idea you will find anything for $200 but look at forklift seats. Again think past $200 but some fine seats on the professional ztr mowers. Have a 3100 Ferris and seat is great.

 

[Bravo Xray]

You're quite right about air pressure affecting ride quality. And I fear you're also right about the price point of a satisfactory suspension upgrade. As I get older ride quality seems to be more of an issue. Thanks for the input!

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

Thanks, zman-
I tried the second one you listed, and it wasn't even close to working... different width and length of the mounting surfaces. If I can't find something closer, I might have to go with something like that and fabricate an adapter (which is what I had to do to make the same suspension fit my '17 Gravely ZTHD). thanks again for the reply!

I bought the second one and it fit the Z121 perfect after flipping the seat adjustment arm sides. I ordered one for my BX2370-1 and way to small. Ended up being an expensive test. I considered fabricating steel plates/bars to span the distance and drill holes for attachment but I don't think the seat slide adjustment would have worked since the catch slot would then be gone. I returned seat and took the big, big, big hit for the restocking fee and return postage but know to not buy from them again for Kubotas..

 

[RaydaKub]

I recently saw someone found one that adds about 2 inches in height and back about 1 inch. The springs stretched horizontally with some kind of hinge arrangement. But I can't find it now.

I'll keep lookin'.

 

[rgr33]

I bought the same seat that zman did, for my z turn. It required minimal modification, just drilling new new holes to match existing bolt pattern. Big improvement in riding comfort. $140 well spent.

 

[lt190b]

Hey Bravo, I don't have a BX but I do have an older B7500 (a little bigger) and I suspect the seats are probably about the same size. I recently bought a new Michigan mechanical suspension seat (Amazon.com: Michigan Black Seat, Milsco V53 High Back Suspension Seat W/Lumbar #1598 #HE: Automotive) for my 3 year old zero turn and so I decided to use the original zero turn seat (that had no suspension and use it to replace my old, cracked Kubota seat. But I wanted to add a suspension system on it as well.

After doing some research I bought this one SEAT SUSPENSION KIT FITS BAD BOY,GRAVELY,DEERE,TORO,SCAG,HUSTLER,EXMARK #FF | eBay which only adds about 2 inches in height.

It has an adjustable weight setting and I did have to make some mods to fit the bottom of the suspension to the tractor but the seat was a standard bolt pattern, so no problem there. But even if you had to mod it to fit your seat it shouldn't be too difficult. For $140 this is a good value to get a basic suspension for your seat.

But if you use your BX to mow and your ground is as bumpy as mine I would opt for the Milsco V-5300 Michigan seat as it is as good and better than some of the air suspension seats that cost much more.

zman-, which seat rides the best? V-5300 or the mower seat with added suspension? lt190b

 

[4get gto]

I also have one of each. The KM suspension kit works very good but I think it might depend on how good the seat is you put on top. Tough to the Michigan V5300. Very good ride and excellent seat. I put the Michigan on a zero turn and the KM on my tractor. So two different applications. I would do either again. I have a little write up on them somewhere on here.

 

[Bravo Xray]

Thanks for the valuable input, everybody! I'm leaning towards the V5300 Michigan, as it comes with a seat belt and operator presence switch built in. My OEM seats have always been garage kept and are in perfect shape. It's a shame to take them out of service, but more comfort might be the deciding factor. I'll probably start by putting one on my BX1860. We'll see when the budget will allow for the luxury. :thumbsup:

 

[Zick]

I put the Michigan seat on my BX2350.
Had to use some flat steel to line up the back and also had to put a spacer in the front as it had too much tilt towards the front.

Still haven't come up with a way to re-attach the seat belts.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v359/Zick/Kubota/IMAG0275_zpsad35bf40.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v359/Zick/Kubota/IMAG0276_zps3289e443.jpg


Edit, not sure if these links will work for anyone since photobucket wants to be @ssholes. :muttering:

 

[kthompson]

Found this by I think texasmark (post 6) on thread about ztr mower that is going on right now here. Now this is regarding ztr seat but might solve your need and price is right.

"Only addition was a pair of springs under the seat since it comes without them. Just makes a great machine better. If interested, just go to the Google search engine and type in: 732-05182A; about 6 bucks apiece."

I guess he installed longer bolts through the springs...makes sense.

 

[Bravo Xray]

Thanks. My seats already have the springs... I wish it could be that simple.

FWIW I contacted Gravely's folks through their website. A very nice lady there suggested the suspension kit that I had already purchased and installed. Sadly, it doesn't do enough, and worse, it doesn't even come close to fitting. As someone else said it took drilling several holes, fabricating a bracket, and adding a bunch of fender washes to space it far enough away from the seat so that the kit would allow some travel. I sent her some pictures and detailed info about why it didn't fit, even though it was listed on their website as the correct part, but haven't heard back. my hope is that they update thier info to exclude fitment on a 2017 ZTHD. We'll see.

Thanks again, everybody.

 

[Bravo Xray]

Re: Adding suspension to BX1860 seat.. update

I did my research, spent hours agonizing, took a deep breath, finally flipped a coin and hoped for the best. :laughing: I hate buying stuff like this sight unseen.

Bought the Michigan seat. Installed it on my Gravely ZTHD. If I like it I'll probably get one for the BX. In the meantime, some thoughts on the reviews posted about this seat:

Packaging. Most posts said that it came unprotected inside a flimsy cardboard box. Sure enough, it did. There was some box damage, but to my surprise the seat survived pretty much okay. The only damage was that one of the mounting studs broke its tack weld, as other posters noted. Still works, just had to put some pressure on it to bolt it down.

Comfort and adjustability. Wow. Lots of travel, especially compared to the OEM seat. Good padding, too. Backrest angle is adjustable. It even has adjustable lumbar support, but I'm not sure how much I'll notice that. Heck, even the arm rests are adjustable for height, as well as lifting up out of the way. And of course it's adjustable fore and aft.

Overall quality seems okay, and I'm sure it will hold up just fine under my fat butt, bumpy fields and limited run times. It fit perfectly in the slots already in the Gravely's seat mounting pan. Can't wait to see how it performs. Sadly, I just mowed everything on my route day before yesterday, so I'll have to wait a week or so before I get to take it out and play.

Thanks again for all the helpful info, guys! :thumbsup:

 

[civilian]

Re: Adding suspension to BX1860 seat.. update

I did my research, spent hours agonizing, took a deep breath, finally flipped a coin and hoped for the best. :laughing: I hate buying stuff like this sight unseen.

Bought the Michigan seat. Installed it on my Gravely ZTHD. If I like it I'll probably get one for the BX. In the meantime, some thoughts on the reviews posted about this seat:

Packaging. Most posts said that it came unprotected inside a flimsy cardboard box. Sure enough, it did. There was some box damage, but to my surprise the seat survived pretty much okay. The only damage was that one of the mounting studs broke its tack weld, as other posters noted. Still works, just had to put some pressure on it to bolt it down.

Comfort and adjustability. Wow. Lots of travel, especially compared to the OEM seat. Good padding, too. Backrest angle is adjustable. It even has adjustable lumbar support, but I'm not sure how much I'll notice that. Heck, even the arm rests are adjustable for height, as well as lifting up out of the way. And of course it's adjustable fore and aft.

Overall quality seems okay, and I'm sure it will hold up just fine under my fat butt, bumpy fields and limited run times. It fit perfectly in the slots already in the Gravely's seat mounting pan. Can't wait to see how it performs. Sadly, I just mowed everything on my route day before yesterday, so I'll have to wait a week or so before I get to take it out and play.

Thanks again for all the helpful info, guys! :thumbsup:

Pictures???? or it didn't happen! LOL Jon

 

[Bravo Xray]

Re: Adding suspension to BX1860 seat.. update

Pictures???? or it didn't happen! LOL Jon

What would like a picture of? The seat after installation? My fat butt in the seat? The old seat? The box is already cut up to be recycled so that's off the table. I didn't take pictures of the process, as I don't have a way to hold the cell phone and work at the same time... I'm a registered dinosaur. :laughing:

Like most first time projects, this was 90% cerebral and 10% physical. Not at all hard to actually do the work, but trying to imagine the easiest and most efficient way to do the work took the time. Actual installation time... probably 15 minutes. Time to figure it all out... well, that was a lot longer. And alcohol was not involved.

From the previous installation of the suspension component (that wasn't all that effective) I learned that I needed to support the weight of the seat while I was trying to bolt it up. Not having anybody else around, I used a small block and tackle hanging from the joists above to suspend the seat so I could bolt things up. That little step saved me a bunch of time, a couple of band aids, and a bunch of quarters in the swear jar.