stupid idea?

[kudzu3 323]

I have a charger 10 that is used for nothing but a cruiser for grandkids. A complaint about the rough ride got me to thinking (uh oh), has anyone ever attempted to improve the ride of a wheel horse? If so, how did you do it?

[ronhatch 406]

 

Start with doing the simple thing first; run the air pressure in the wheels from 10 to 12 lbs,

Edited July 13, 2016 by ronhatch

[ohiofarmer 3,355]

 Yes.

 

 

 I took a suspension seat and hardware from an old box store tractor and mounted it to my Raider. The seat has a flip up feature to keep it dry. I built a wood frame on top of the seat pan.Then i fastened the swing up seat to the frame and finally used the old springs from that seat for suspension.

 

 With the factory seat I had a devil of a time even getting myself on the tractor, but after using the mount to move the seat back from the steering wheel and to a four inch higher level, all is good. Just make sure that you bolt the seat pan solid to the fenders as moving the seat platform back can flip you off the tractor [because the existing seat pan latch may not hold especially if your 'new' seat has a high back]. I could not get much done for two weeks due to a tailbone injury caused by that latch failing

Edited July 13, 2016 by ohiofarmer

[Wheel-N-It 2,971]

The deep high back padded seats that came standard on some Wheel Horses are fairly comfortable. If you are just riding the grandkids around on a nice lawn or well maintained field try some two ply tires run at the lowest recommend pressure. I think that's about all you can do. 

[MalMac 1,332]

If it's got the original tire's on it, they may have become more stiff and not as ply able as they once were. Not giving at all over small bumps. Almost acting as a solid rubber tire. Instead of the tire absorbing the shock it just transfer it right up through the tractor to the operator.

[GlenPettit 1,717]

If it's for just the young kids to drive alone:

•••  Consider going to an even lower tire pressure, like 6 – 8PSI,

that would slow the tractor slightly and cushion the bumps a lot more.

•••  Could bolt in a small plate so the shifter cannot go into 3rd gear, or to

lock the Hi-Low lever into only low gear.

•••  A vinyl seat can be very slippery, a secure cloth cover would help, and 

then securely moving the seat a little further forward.

•••  I clamped 4" wood blocks on the two foot levers, for short legs.

•••  A engine kill switch for the seat, like the newer models have would be

a very safe addition.  

•••  Two children on the same seat can create a lot more problems, someway

to narrow the seat and to make the fenders unseatable for little butts.

 

I worry a lot about little feet getting caught in/under the rear wheels, to re-invent the

old "Wheel Well Skirts" (have to be over 70 to know what they are) would reduce that chance .

Glen

 

 

Edited July 13, 2016 by GlenPettit

[elliot ness 1,916]

Seats are the answer.

[Wheel-N-It 2,971]

1 minute ago, elliot ness said:

Seats are the answer.

True, seats are a big part of this, but Toro Wheel Horse's came standard with Dico brand tires. They had a nice soft sidewall that I always thought provided a good ride.

[prondzy 3,884]

I think a wheel horse rides great, sounds to me like you need a lawn roller, aerator....hey just trying to give you an excuse for more attachments.

[953 nut 58,486]

5 hours ago, kudzu3 said:

complaint about the rough ride

Let them take turns pulling the others around the yard on foot some day; bet the  would become popular again!  

[kudzu3 323]

All good, common sense ideas, thanks. I was kinda thinking more of a suspension modification (or addition), say maybe the addition of some light coil springs somewhere between my butt and the rear axel, other than under the seat. Seeing all the amazing mods over the years, I was thinking that someone must have done something like this, maybe not, just a thought. Okay, maybe I shouldn't try thinking anymore    

[CasualObserver 3,410]

I took a set of springs like these from a later model and raised my seat on my Raider.  

 

Much more comfortable ride.

 

[Wheel-N-It 2,971]

The springs are a great idea. Never owning a Raider, I was unaware they did not have seat springs.

[Retired Wrencher 5,673]

On ‎7‎/‎13‎/‎2016 at 11:36 AM, MalMac said:

If it's got the original tire's on it, they may have become more stiff and not as ply able as they once were. Not giving at all over small bumps. Almost acting as a solid rubber tire. Instead of the tire absorbing the shock it just transfer it right up through the tractor to the operator.

I age with MalMac.  Also I am thinking of More of light tread tires less traction or low profile lugs. I had a C120 one time that had cheep aftermarket tires on I did notice this. Put on W/H tires and the ride went away.

[Sparky-(Admin) 22,342]

If you swapped out the rear tires with ATV tires (even used tires) they give a much better ride when kept at a low air pressure and generally you don't sacrifice any traction either.

 Mike........