Converted Tractor Seat To Air Suspension--pics

[npalen]

Well perhaps that is stretching it a bit but here's my story:

The seat cushioning on my Mahindra is very similar to that found on many CUT's. A hinge on the front with two compression springs near the back of the seat bottom....
I noticed the "ride" as being very stiff so did some calculations on the spring rate with the being made of 6mm wire wrapped with about 5.5 active coils and 1.5" spring inside diameter.

My results show a spring rate of 165 lbs/inch of compression times two springs. ( At least 330 lbs to deflect the seat down 1" and that doesn't even take into consideration that the hinge is absorbing 1/2 of the load) The problem is that I only weigh about 190 lbs so it's about riding in a lumber wagon going down a less than smooth road.

I do agree that "air suspension" in the thread title may be stretching (or perhaps compressing) things a bit, but doggone it, the 2.80 x 2.50-4 inner tube is rather cushy.
Now I'm not planning on adding a 12VDC compressor or anything silly like that, but adaptive ride control would not be totally out of the question.

 

[Mendonsy]

It should work fine as long as nothing sharp gets in there to cause a blowout, but you'll never resist the temptation to make it interesting!! By Easter you'll have a digital pressure gauge with automatic pressure control.

 

[npalen]

I occurs to me, after further thought, that someone might conclude that I simply removed the tractor seat and replaced it with "the cushion". Be assured that is not the case as it might be rather uncomfortable given the valve stem position.
In the interest of full disclosure, the seat is simply folded forward out of the photo and will be used in it's normal position during tractor operation.:dance1:

 

[oosik]

And here I thought that was a hemorrhoid doughnut, while all along its a ring that could prevent those problems. Good show..........

 

[majorwager]

On the kubota, too many opportunities for cushion to be pinched or punctured. As noted, front connection remains rigid, bit the bullet, bought $90 generic suspention seat, higher back, wrap around bolsters, adjustment to 260 lbs. + benefit is seat height raised 6" +, increased visibility. Moved mounting rearward, more leg room. Simple design, two springs, adj tensioner, hyd shock absorber. "Tireject" could protect cushion method. Generic seat allows cushion pitch and recline adjustment. Entire seat floats, back is rigid. Kubota suspention was retained.

 

[ptsg]

I occurs to me, after further thought, that someone might conclude that I simply removed the tractor seat and replaced it with "the cushion". Be assured that is not the case as it might be rather uncomfortable given the valve stem position.

When I read the first post and checked the second picture, I thought that was part of what you meant as "adaptive ride control"

 

[npalen]

And I suppose your were thinking methane as opposed to nitrogen?

 

[4get gto]

Npalen. Are you still the front "hinge" part and using the tube in place of the springs?

 

[npalen]

Yes, the front hinge is intact. I just removed the two springs at the rear and replaced with the inner tube.
This whole thing probably seems a bit crazy but it sure beats the "lumber wagon ride".

 

[BrokenTrack]

Yes, the front hinge is intact. I just removed the two springs at the rear and replaced with the inner tube.
This whole thing probably seems a bit crazy but it sure beats the "lumber wagon ride".

Another thing people can do for a much better ride is swap out the cheap Original Equipment Manufactuer's seat with one from a car. I happened to have a Ford Focus going for scrap metal, so I robbed the seat out of that for my Bulldozer. Some people do not like the look, but they don't ride in it either!

Just a difference approach to the same problem.

 

[Ribz]

I have a combination of racquetballs and tennis balls under my Kubota seat. The spring loaded seats bottom out and transfer that shock right up the spine. The balls act as a soft bump stop and works.

 

[npalen]

Now that's a good idea! My problem with the springs is they are way too stiff. Need to eat more carbs?

 

[shaeff]

The balls act as a soft bump stop and works.

While I may be guilty of taking this line out of context, I find quite the opposite to be true and rather painful. :dance1:

 

[Ribz]

Quote Originally Posted by Ribz View Post

The balls act as a soft bump stop and works.

While I may be guilty of taking this line out of context, I find quite the opposite to be true and rather painful. :dance1:

 

[shaeff]

View attachment 538938

Haha!
(great movie!)

 

[Texasmark]

Slick idea.

One of the reasons I bought my Branson 6530DC rather than a popular brand was the high back/armrests/adjustable lumbar/air compressor operated seat.

One of the things I learned over the years about air seats and your idea would be included, is the effect of atmospheric pressure/temperature on, and the natural venting through the pores of the rubber on bladder air pressure. I find that, especially in cold weather that maintaining the desired pressure requires a lot more attention........butttt so be it!

I have spent a ton of time and money in the search for a soft ride in my tractors and air suspension is the softest/most uniform type of support that I have found. A combination of springs and air works extremely well for great softness of the ride and super dynamic range for when you bounce over that Gopher hole or such.

 

[kirkawilson]

The coil springs on the seat of my NH 1920 do bottom out on large bumps. But my old IH Cub Cadet seat never seemed to bottom out and provides a comfy ride. It uses a two heavy-duty plate/leaf springs instead of coil springs.

 

[mapper]

My MF has some seat adjustment so is not too bad, but the old 8n with an un-padded steel pan seat mounted on a single steel leaf was much more comfortable on rough ground, it had about 6" or more of travel. Winter use was a little different story though:cold:

 

[Sawyer Rob]

Folks been putting balls under seats on tractors around here for many years, it works pretty good.

SR

 

[Texasmark]

Another thing people can do for a much better ride is swap out the cheap Original Equipment Manufactuer's seat with one from a car. I happened to have a Ford Focus going for scrap metal, so I robbed the seat out of that for my Bulldozer. Some people do not like the look, but they don't ride in it either!

Just a difference approach to the same problem.

Slick idea there too. Looks like you are setup for some serious logging.