Making the PT Seat more comfortable

woodlandfarms · May 9, 2012

So I drooled over kens modification (put a real spring loaded tractor seat on a PT, especially difficult with the 18XX series as the seat tilts).

So last week when my seat bottom failed I took a look at what I had. I realized there was some room for rubber between the rails and the bottom, and the rails and the seat.

So I got on EBAY and found rubber vibration dampners. I can't post ebays here, but I will show the pix of what I got... Both were a little over 1" wide and a little over 1/2" tall.

Basically I ordered two types of isolation shock absorbers. I liked the ones that looked springy, but worried about the ability to withstand abuse. I also grabbed solid rubber as I figured it would be a good fallback.

So I got to the PT when they arrived this morning and took the seat off. I realized right off that the springy looking ones were worth the effort, but I still don't know if they will last. They are a lot softer than the solid core. I also found that the PT had existing plastic washers between the seat and the rails, and they are HARD plastic. Why I have to ask? Anyway, the rails are attached to my tilt plate directly. The bolts to the seat to the rail are removeable carraige bolts, the bolts from the plate to the rails are welded. I was able to use the springy washers between the seat and the rail as I had enough bolt length, but the welded side was too short for the 1/2" solid washer, so I cut those in half.

Bolted it up and took it for a spin. I will say immediately what a difference. For $10 total in parts, it is night and day. I am a plumper, so my weight is an issue in all of this. The ride is not so harsh. It is no Maybach, but anything is better than that kidney killing ride I have been living with over the past 5 years.

If you want more info, I can get pix and such, but jeeze I have written a lot for very little at the moment.

Carl

MuncyBob · May 9, 2012

This sounds interesting!! If there is any major shortcoming to the PT it's the bumpy/jolting ride. Looking forward to hearing how it holds out for you. Of course, we always want more pics

PTWannaHave · Jun 26, 2014

Lord willing, I will be purchasing a PT1430 in Spring 2015. During my time on this forum, I remembered the PT seats being a lowlight... The local Kubota dealer has New Take-Off (cloth) seats with integrated suspension, and Grammer brand seat base suspension units.

$500.

$100.

Thought I would mine this forum's experience on the subject matter; the prices seem reasonable. If the Grammer at $100. is a good option, I could contemplate fitting it under the stock PT seat...?

sirmombo · Jun 26, 2014

I have a 1430 and the ride is very soft, almost springy. I have the ag tires and I never use it on pavement or rocky ground so that may contribute to it. My biggest comfort complaint is that the padding on the seat is thinner than any other tractor seat.

Bill

Marks481 · Jun 26, 2014

well my PT422 is pounding the living daylights out of me. My pasture only looks smooth until I start brush hogging, than my tractor finds all sorts of holes to fall into.

I bought a suspension seat, but it will require some seat bracket modifications since it adds about 4" to the height of the seat, which will soon give me a headache smacking into the ROPS. While mowing last weekend, I swore that adding seat suspension was now my #1 priority.

And than a rock glanced off my glasses, and I decided my #2 priority was rigging up some sort of windshield. Brush hogging can be dangerous.

BobRip · Jun 26, 2014

I put on a suspension seat from Tractor a Supply. It rides pretty good. I also changed out bar tires for turf. This made a big difference.

MuncyBob · Jun 27, 2014

I added some rubber bushings to all 4 of the bolts under the seat. While certainly not a cushy ride it has taken some of the teeth rattling shocks away a bit.

cqaigy2 · Jun 27, 2014

Rubber bushings seem like a relatively easy upgrade.

ponytug · Jun 27, 2014

I agree that the seat seems thin- but I haven't bothered to stuff in some more foam, which would do it for me.

On the brush hogging, I have taken to wearing a chainsaw hardhat/faceguard/ear protectors specifically to help deal with flying objects.

All the best,

Peter

tmarks11 said:
well my PT422 is pounding the living daylights out of me. My pasture only looks smooth until I start brush hogging, than my tractor finds all sorts of holes to fall into.

I bought a suspension seat, but it will require some seat bracket modifications since it adds about 4" to the height of the seat, which will soon give me a headache smacking into the ROPS. While mowing last weekend, I swore that adding seat suspension was now my #1 priority.

And than a rock glanced off my glasses, and I decided my #2 priority was rigging up some sort of windshield. Brush hogging can be dangerous.

SpringHollow · Jun 27, 2014

I love my seat upgrade - I decided the cost over a few years was well worth it relative to dr's bills. But this one is very economical - I like the idea and would have at least tried it first if I had thought it would work. A friend and I discussed it but we both said no way could it absorb enough so we never tried it. Silly really when the cost of failure was not high.

Ken

PTWannaHave · Jul 1, 2014

Thanks for the replies. However, no one really commented on the idea/value of those two New Take-Off options...

woodlandfarms · Jul 1, 2014

The downside of either of the seats is that it raises you up, an that puts you into the ROPS. As for the value of the seat, IMO over priced. Typical of dealer take offs. You can get brand new for the same. Well, the seat for $100 is tempting but I would pass on the $400.

SpringHollow · Jul 1, 2014

I checked my setup - there is 37 1/2" between the seat and FOPS. When I sit down, there is 38 1/2" (best as I can measure while sitting on it - measurements from the top of the pads, not the bottoms of the creases between pad sections). When the suspension is adjusted properly, my hat does not hit the FOPS when going over large bumps. I am not looking at it but I suspect I could gain an inch by getting rid of the front/back rails. I never adjust it but a row of holes on the plate would allow for "permanent" adjustability.

Ken

PTWannaHave · Jul 3, 2014

Thanks again.

I think I'll hold off until I actually get the machine, and then keep an eye out for the seat upgrade.

Marks481 · Jul 4, 2014

I bought a suspension seat and installed it.

Very straight forward. The seat itself has drilled/tapped holes that lined up with the mounting plate that PT uses.

Since the seat adds about 3" height, I drilled new holes in the mounting bracket for the pivot bolts about 3" away from the old one (you can see the old hole on teh bracket below).

This allow the seat bracket to clear the hydraulic tank filler cap by about an inch, and it didn't make impact from articulation during my last mowing session. This solution wouldn't work for everyone... I am 5'10" and I now have maybe 1" under the ROPS, but didn't bump my head on it once in an hour of rough mowing.

Happy with the results. The seat suspension has about 2" of travel, and has a scissor frame with horizontal springs. Very effective, I was able to drive much faster without the corresponding pain from wheels falling in the random gopher holes in my pasture. I bottomed the seat out a few times, but the jolt wasn't painful as it would have been with the PT seat.

SpringHollow · Jul 4, 2014

Very nice looking seat installation! Only 1" head clearance - I would be a goner on my trails.

Marks481 · Jul 4, 2014

time will tell, haven't hit my head yet. The seat actually has a height adjustment (probably an inch of travel). I can get another 1/2"-3/4" if I take the seat rails off, but that would require me to weld up a custom mounting bracket.

I was pleasantly surprised that the existing bracket bolted on effortlessly to the seat; I has thought I would be doing some welding this weekend to make it all fit.

The original seat only gave me maybe 2" of headroom.

cqaigy2 · Jul 4, 2014

That sure looks comfy. I'd be temped to pull the PT into the front room to watch telly from it.:laughing:

PTWannaHave · Jul 7, 2014

Good for you TMarks11 !

What is the brand, price, and purchase location of the seat...?

Cheers,

Marks481 · Jul 11, 2014

Concentric, purchased on ebay for $250 with free shipping. Search for "Universal Forklift Seat/Suspension Fits Clark"

You can see it full product description (for way more money + shipping) at Northern Tool.

Expensive, but I was swearing to myself when I mowed the pasture last time that I wouldn't do it again until I fixed the seat.