I drove my first tractor today...

Cab_Grapes · Jul 8, 2003

While I currently plan to buy a 2210 and have my first price quote, I needed to get the grass cut again and move some dirt, and 2210 leads time are 30days here. So I rented a NH TC29 rather than hire a tractor service again or mow 2+ acres with my walk behind for the 3rd time. And I wantted some tractor experience ahead of the final decision - ordering my 2210.

But the experience left me with a not insignificant question that I would like some help with.

I learned that one of, maybe the, most important parts of a tractor is the seat. Although my 2+ acres is flat, that is true for a topo map but not true for the seat.

The NH had actually a very good seat with lots of springs and suspension so the smaller rutts, bumps and jolts were smoothed out quite a bit

But now I'm concerned about the 2210 and wondering if I should get a larger tractor, a 4110 or 4115 although substantially more money and size, for the sake of the better seat.

Are these the impressions, no pun intended, of a tractor virgin or can you help me get to the bottom of this problem? Has this been a sore point with many of you?

Chris
Sonoma, CA

Bird · Jul 8, 2003

Chris, only you can answer that question. How long at a time will you be on the tractor? An hour or two or all day? And how much money are you willing to spend for more comfort? Take the time to decide because a tractor will last a long time and while you can certainly trade later if you want, it will cost more than getting the right one to start with. Another alternative you might consider is buying the cheaper tractor and replacing the seat with an aftermarket seat that you like better.

snowman · Jul 8, 2003

I bounce around so bad when mowing that I now take a seat cushion off one of our lawn chairs when I mow. It has a "hooked" back that I can slip over the back of the tractor seat, then I fold it up (because it's larger than the tractor seat) and sit on it. Substantially better than the stock Kubota seat - still rough, but not as bad. Bladder is much happier!

I've even pondered putting some type of rubber straps around the seat that I would then sit on as kind of a suspension seat. Have a lot of time to think of these imporatant issue when bouncing around for 3-4 hours.

garchib · Jul 8, 2003

You are absolutely correct ! I own a 4100 HST and love it,
but when I sat on a 4210, I fell in love with the comfort !
I couldn't believe how much more comfortable I was on the
4210 than on the 4100/4110. So you are not the only
one who notices such things. One little suggestion, when
I am mowing my 2.1 acres on my 4100, I play around with the
seat every 1/2 hour or so, by moving it back a little or forward
and that seems to help you from getting a sore back and/or
sore @$$ /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

tacbat · Jul 8, 2003

I think that the 2210 seat is very comfortable compared with where I came from .."Craftsman" but I guess it is all up to the driver. I am finish mowing 1.5 ac. and rotary cutting another 2.5 with zero complaints in seating area, but a area for a cooler would be nice for ah ah bottle of water would be nice.

BIll /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

Hambone · Jul 9, 2003

I got the 2210, going from a JD335. The ride and comfort was a big difference.
I guess it depends on what you are used to and can afford.
Aspect... if you drive a Chevette, going to buy a Monte Carlo, but, rent a Corvette for the weekend........... /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

garchib · Jul 9, 2003

....true true....the best analogy I can come up with regarding
the difference between my 4100 and 4210, is sitting in the
4100 is like sitting in a comfortable desk chair, whereas
the 4210 is like sitting in a Lazy boy /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif