suspension seat on a Z-turn mower

[jCarroll]

My Snapper Pro Z-turn does not have front suspension (like a Ferris) or a fancy suspension seat.

My lawn between the house and the tractor sheds is rough, and it's a bouncy ride for 2 hours.

I've become aware of spring kits ($200) to add to the existing mower seat, and suspension seats ($600) to replace the original basic seat.

Any advice/experience will be appreciated.

 

[Bob Bancroft]

Maybe I've been too dismissive of the suspension on my Ferris. Neighbor has two JD's, one with spring seat, one without. He has just ordered the spring kit for his second mower. He says the difference is whether he can run it or not! He's in his mid 60's, in excellent health, but feels the solid seat mower in his back. His wife and offspring grab the sprung mower first!

 

[David G]

How do you like the Ferris?

 

[DR. EVIL]

My Cub Cadet TANK has a pivoting frt axle to smooth the frt a bit, fully sprung seat that's about 10-way adjustable to the driver. It's not the smoothest piece of equipment I've ever run but I can mow my 2+ acres faster than anything I've run before.

 

[Bob Bancroft]

Ferris is very rugged. I have a very good dealer nearby. BUT, my issue is trying to cut wet grass. I've heard there's a zero turn with some little chains which sling around with the blades to help keep the deck open.
I have a Woods 7' rear discharge 3 point finish mower which will mow anything anytime without the deck building up.

 

[6t6cuda]

(quoted from post at 13:37:50 05/25/17) My Snapper Pro Z-turn does not have front suspension (like a Ferris) or a fancy suspension seat.

My lawn between the house and the tractor sheds is rough, and it's a bouncy ride for 2 hours.

I've become aware of spring kits ($200) to add to the existing mower seat, and suspension seats ($600) to replace the original basic seat.

Any advice/experience will be appreciated.

I just bought a Gravely ZT-HD 60 and I bought and installed this: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01M2XIB0R/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

It does make a difference; had to drill some holes to get it to work, and add a spacer (nut) on the bottom but it worked out great.

Have the same issue as everyone else, it does ride rougher than a tractor.

 

[David G]

I like the way my Scag cuts, but thinking of changing out front axle like the Ferris.

 

[Mike M]

Well I learned one thing is that there are more than 1 style of suspension seat. I bought one off internet so I could not see it first hand. Pictures showed it had a weight adjust handle on the front and it does. What I learned is this one only pivots on one end and is not a full floating type where the whole seat goes up and down. The one I got is about worthless as far as suspensions are concerned. I was looking at the add on type but bolt patterns listed seem off to what I need. I'm sort of gun shy to try buying more of this stuff without having my hands on it.

 

[D beatty]

Take a look at ATR Puffer air ride seat. It's a all contained unit that is run of electrical system.

 

[Bob Bancroft]

I really don't know how those solid frame mowers get around at all. I have very uneven terrain. I've heard of solid frame mowers losing grip on a hill and taking off. My Ferris never does that. Only time it takes off down hill is when it's too wet. (Which is all the time this year!)

 

[Gary H.]

I have an ET airide(same as the air puffer)Good ride and easy to install.

 

[RobCons]

I put one on my Toro Z Master. Seems it was a Milsco brand. $500 and worth it. Adjustable for weight, adjustable arm rest, slides back and forth, and adjustable angle on the back.

 

[Hobo,NC]

My gravely suspension seat wore out it beat me to death. I had my eye on a Exmark with the platform seat so brought one, Its a sweet ride no complaints I love it. If I had haft a brain I should have known the gravely suspension seat was worn out but I did not figure it out till I had brought a new exmark. Buy a good seat and don't look back it will make it worth the cost.

https://blog.exmark.com/2016/05/exmark-advantage-lazer-z-suspended-operator-platform/

 

[showcrop]

I guess I must have a very smooth lawn, I don't get jolted. Or maybe it is just that the mower is a Ferris and it is all I know.

 

[caterpillar guy]

Just use an air ride truck seat. One out of an old semi would even give you the highback seat if you want.

 

[notjustair]

I needed to add air ride to one tractor for my back. I bought just the pedistal which is not that thick. Makes lots of difference. It's still new, so I haven't ever had to adjust it since I pumped it up the first time (no air leaks). Even with a higher amp compressor it would hardly be on. The stator on a mower would have no trouble keeping up.

It was about $400 for a good high quality pedistal from CIH.

 

[Texasmark1]

I won't tell you how much time and money I have spent to solve your problem. Initially I bought a ZT with no springs under the seat. Actually I have 2 that came like that (DR and Hustler). On the DR I ordered their $200 suspension seat which I tried for awhile but found that the springs were tougher than my back, even on the lowest tension setting.

I removed that and installed a pair of motorcycle air chambers...replace the spring(s) under the seat of a motorcycle. Added an old bottle used for oxygen for the small/portable Oxy-acet gas welders, with a gauge and shrader valve for filling. Problem with that was with the small volume, even with the tank, it had to be filled every time I wanted to use the mower.

Next came a set of Cub Cadet springs I accidentally came across going into a TSC store one day. The spring is used by CC and Troy built and available online from suitable parts aftermarket retailers. CC part number is 732-05182A. Cost about $6 and probably the best 6 bucks you ever spent. If you look at it and a (engine valve spring looking thing) spring on most mowers you can easily see how this is an easy riding spring. I have installed them on every piece of lawn mowing equipment I have including where I had the air bags on the DR..

Next came ATV tires, the ones where max psi is 5. On a light mower that I use for pond banks with snow studs, I run them at 2 psig. Nice and soft. On the larger/heavier machines I run them at 4 psig.

I bought a 24 hp compact tractor (Branson 2400) Jan. 2016 that was fitted out with industrial tires (12x16.5 6 ply), rears rated at 2300+# each at the rated 30 psig, The whole tractor weighs in at 1800+ plus loader so how is one to get a soft ride on a machine of that weight with a pair of tires rated for 5600+#? Not very easily.

Solution on that went through several iterations and the solution was 33x12.5-16.5 4 ply turfs on the rear, also rated for 2300+# but they were only 4 ply, still had a stiff sidewall and the balloon (volume of air the tire could hold) was larger allowing me to run them down around 8 psig rather than their rated 30 and get a softer ride. Then I added 50# weights to each rear and then added an additional 65# of weights to each wheel and still a rough ride.

Next on the 2400 came an air seat cushioning system (minus the seat....nothing wrong with my OEM seat itself) for $350 something rather than the $650+ you pay if you buy the whole seat and system. There is a little valve at the front whereby you turn on the 12vdc internal air compressor and set your resistance. All of that fixed my 2400.....cost? Tires were $600 for the pair (retail is over $600 each), seat $350, weights, $300 (because they were off specific tractors and old iron dealer thought that added value...which it did if you had a buyer for such).......looks like something over $1250.

Well guess what. The money is gone forever. I will probably have the tractor to enjoy forever. Money well spent for all of it and for my back and my peace of mine.......well worth it.

HTH,
Mark

 

[ozarks]

(quoted from post at 17:11:05 05/25/17) My gravely suspension seat wore out it beat me to death. I had my eye on a Exmark with the platform seat so brought one, Its a sweet ride no complaints I love it. If I had haft a brain I should have known the gravely suspension seat was worn out but I did not figure it out till I had brought a new exmark. Buy a good seat and don't look back it will make it worth the cost.

https://blog.exmark.com/2016/05/exmark-advantage-lazer-z-suspended-operator-platform/

We have an ExMark with the suspension platform--rides better than my John Deere-or New Holland---tractors, that is

 

[CDB]

I have an exmark lazer Z that I have mowed with for 15 years without the suspension seat. My back was always sore after mowing 3 hours a week on my bumpy yard. I finally got smart and bought this from Seat warehouse. It only took about an hour to install underneath my original seat. I have mowed with it about 5 times so far and love it. I think it is very reasonably priced when compared to a $850 + dollar exmark replacement suspension seat. I talked to Tony at Seat Warehouse who was very helpful. It was delivered very quick, too.

http://seat-warehouse.com/product/seat-suspension-kit-for-bad-boygravelydeeretoroscaghustlerexmark-ff/

 

[showcrop]

(quoted from post at 19:20:06 05/26/17) I have an exmark lazer Z that I have mowed with for 15 years without the suspension seat. My back was always sore after mowing 3 hours a week on my bumpy yard. I finally got smart and bought this from Seat warehouse. It only took about an hour to install underneath my original seat. I have mowed with it about 5 times so far and love it. I think it is very reasonably priced when compared to a $850 + dollar exmark replacement suspension seat. I talked to Tony at Seat Warehouse who was very helpful. It was delivered very quick, too.

http://seat-warehouse.com/product/seat-suspension-kit-for-bad-boygravelydeeretoroscaghustlerexmark-ff/

That looks just like what is under the seat of my Kubota.