Does a seat make a difference?

[Butch 194]

I have lower back problems as it is and my back feels it after mowing. Are taller seats better for the back? I don't know if I even use the low back I have now. I might be leaning forward and not even touching the seat back.

[leeave96 490]

Sometimes my back gets tired after mowing.  A taller seat definitely makes a difference for me.  I've got tractors with tall and short seat backs and this is my reference point.

 

I know I push the foot control kit, but I "think" that the ride for me is a bit more upright and comfortable with the foot control kit on my 520H vs leaning over a bit to keep the hand lever where I need it for ground speed - don't know for sure, but just thought of it.

 

I like the arm rests on my 520H too.  Being able to push myself back on the seat - almost feels like a stretch, pushing my back into the seat from time to time feels good too.

[SousaKerry 503]

If I were you I would look for a tall backed seat with arm wrests,  if you look at equipment that is meant to be sat in all day they all have them.  They may be expensive but if you have back problems they are worth every penny

[varosd 1,185]

Butch,

            Get something powered by an Onan engine...I'm forever reaching forward to pull the leaves and grass off the grass shield! Keeps me stretched out!  But love the roar of that 20 horses!!!

[Digger 66 3,488]

Got this one from one of my riding ( 4-wheeler ) buddies . He had them laying around in his garage & the $ was right . free . 

It's ugly but darn comfy ! It was from his old bass boat 

 

 

Edited August 9, 2013 by Digger 66

[nylyon-(Admin) 7,882]

The seat makes all the difference in the world.  Before getting the "correct" seat for my C-160, I had a decent comfy Tractor Supply seat on it.  WORLD of difference, the TSC seat is soft and very comfortable.  The OEM looks nice, but if I had to use it every day I'd rip it off and put the TSC back on.

[Forest Road 594]

Lets see a photo of your seat and seat springs. Seat springs will make a huge difference as well.

[DoctorHfuhruhurr 137]

I've seen some with car bucket seats attached.  It looks goofy but I'd imagine it is very comfortable. 

[Tankman 3,523]

I like the taller seats but, to avoid too much stress when there's work to be done I find it easier to supervise the grandsons from a patio recliner with a sudsy draft in hand! 

 

At that point, seat doesn't matter to the grandsons either. 

In my Macks, loved Bostrom seats.

 

http://www.hobostrom.com/seating-products/turf/sierra

Edited August 10, 2013 by Tankman

[Kelly 1,033]

Having the seat adjusted right helps, to far back you lean for the controls, or are reaching for the pedals, to far forward your crowded to the wheel, not all tractors are adjustable forward and back, but most all 77 and newer tractors are, flip the seat up and loosen the bolts that hold the springs slide it around see if it helps. 

[MalMac 1,332]

Well as somebody who has spent many of hour in the fields on a big tractor and also years of driving a truck all over this country. I can tell you that if you have back problems then what you need in a seat is good contact in the lower lumbar area. You need support there and like said earlier your spring system. You need to take the shock out of the ride. The shock transfers right up through you bottom to your back. Now since we are talking a garden tractor here instead of a big farm tractor there is not enough room for a air ride or spring suspension. That would be the way to go. Back to reality you need to look for a seat with good cushion to help take that shock out. Sometimes you can mount the seat tilting forward or rearward to help take pressure off. Anyway yes to a good seat, it makes all the difference in the world.

[leeave96 490]

Don't know that I would want one, maybe in about 10 years after the price drops for 6-7K to about 6-7 hundred with low hours, but this Simplicity with suspension looks interesting.  Here is a link:

 

http://www.simplicitymfg.com/us/en/tractors/prestige

[boovuc 1,090]

Two back surgeries here and the tall back seats on the 400 and 500 series tractors are great. The adjustable feature is what makes the difference. I push it all the way back and start to mow and pull it forward to contact my lower back once I get going. The combination of the adjustable seat and the seat itself is the difference. The worse seat..................the flat pan seat on my small frame 867. The pan seat is off and a 1980's mid-back WH seat is on it. Big difference. 

[Butch 194]

Lets see a photo of your seat and seat springs. Seat springs will make a huge difference as well.

It's the seat in my avatar. It's the factory WH seat.

[Butch 194]

Anyone got pics of their high back seat. I just checked TSC. They had one with arms that I liked but it is probably too large. But they had one without arms that I liked and I hope it should fit.

 

http://www.tractorsupply.com/en/store/universal-compact-seat-black?cm_vc=-10005

[Butch 194]

What about this or is it too big?

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Universal-Tractor-Seat-w-Slide-Tracks-T500BL-Kubota-Ford-Case-IH-Allis-MF-JD-/230692438777?pt=BI_Heavy_Equipment_Parts&hash=item35b65742f9

[boovuc 1,090]

As long as you can mount it, adjust it and move it to fill gasoline and check fluid levels, honestly when it come to your back, nothing is too big. OK, a Lazy Boy recliner is too big and you want to watch how high due to trees and shrubs but I have seen guys weld up brackets on their WH factory slide that actually overhang the depression in the seat pan. They tilt forward and slide to the desired distance from the wheel and as long as they're comfy and get the job done, why not! You just need to make sure that whatever you buy can be made to fit and function. Your C80 and C-175 didn't come with a seat slide so you have to mount it permanently to one spot. It actually makes it simpler. It only needs to tilt forward. (And stay there)! It really sucks when the seat falls back when your filling your tractor!

[Racinbob 11,946]

This is a Tractor Supply seat. It's very comfortable. I removed the arm rests because I've really never been a fan of them on tractors.

[Butch 194]

This is a Tractor Supply seat. It's very comfortable. I removed the arm rests because I've really never been a fan of them on tractors.

Now that's nice!!  Any modifications to install it?

Edited August 11, 2013 by Butch

[papaglide 542]

I picked up the same seat and mounted to my cub 1864. It is the most comfortable seat I have ever used. It probably can be mounted in any configuration. The mounts are moveable front to back and side to side

[Butch 194]

I picked up the same seat and mounted to my cub 1864. It is the most comfortable seat I have ever used. It probably can be mounted in any configuration. The mounts are moveable front to back and side to side

Thanks for the info Mike. I was wondering if it had side to side moving brackets.

[papaglide 542]

You're welcome Butch. The side to side movement is accomplished by each of the mounting nuts traveling in a slot so the width is extremely variable.

[Digger 66 3,488]

 

Now that's nice!! 

 

 

X-2 ^ 

Very sharp ! 

[Racinbob 11,946]

I'm not certain anymore Butch. Maybe new holes. But it was an easy install. I didn't care about adjustment capabilities so it's bolted directly to the tilt up bracket. The lever to adjust the forward back is now gone.

[Butch 194]

I'm not certain anymore Butch. Maybe new holes. But it was an easy install. I didn't care about adjustment capabilities so it's bolted directly to the tilt up bracket. The lever to adjust the forward back is now gone.

The lever to adjust the seat had to come off to make it work or you just took it off?