tmajor
Platinum Member
- Joined
- Oct 9, 2007
- Messages
- 704
- Location
- NE PA
- Tractor
- 2010 MF 1529, Woods ZTR MZ1952, National Mower sickle bar circa 1963
About 3 years ago, I got a Woods ZTR (MZ1952), which is one of their commercial models, with a Michigan Suspension Seat with high back and arm rests. I was totally happy with the ZTR concept and speed, even though my yard is a "little rugged". I have inclines, pine tree roots running on top of the ground, due to the ledges ... all in all "not a golf course"! The mower is even sporting ag tires to help keep me out of trouble.
This season has had rain about 2-3 times a week, which means "a good growing season" and lots of mowing. My neck started giving me problems, which I realized, after a while, was due to mowing. The ZTR was like riding a Buckboard or Mechanical Bull
I checked the tire pressure, which was too high, even though the manual says 14 pounds all around. So, I got a pair of inner tubes for the front and dropped the pressure to 8 pounds. This helped, but didn't cure my aliments.
Next, I evaluated the arm rests. With my elbows planted on the arm rests, my upper body was pretty rigid from my shoulders down to my waist. So I flipped the arm rests up and lowered the steering handles. That helped some, as now I could flex at the waist, which helped me "roll with the punches".
Still, when the front wheels dropped off of a tree root or rock, the seat-back would throw my body forward and leave my neck to take it's punishment.
So, I set out to see, if there was a way to make the backrest a bit flexible to prevent some of the whip-lash to my neck.
The seat-back, in addition to the mounting bolts, had a single bolt through one side mount, which was for "adjustment". I removed this adjustment bolt, which allowed the seat to pivot on the mounting posts. I opened the adjustment slot a little and installed a cap screw, to act as a "seat stop".
Now that the seat back was free to pivot .. fore and aft, I had to come up with a means to stabilize it. I used 2 coil springs, which have a means to adjust the tension for comfort and ride. The top of the back-rest will move about 4 inches from normal position to the stop.
I mowed some of the lawn and bounced over the roots and rocks .. it seems better to me.
While most of you probably don't have such issues, others might. ??
There are more images in the album, .. but they show that I got the top bracket off center. ??
ZTR Mower pictures by cat-tek - Photobucket
Tom
This season has had rain about 2-3 times a week, which means "a good growing season" and lots of mowing. My neck started giving me problems, which I realized, after a while, was due to mowing. The ZTR was like riding a Buckboard or Mechanical Bull
I checked the tire pressure, which was too high, even though the manual says 14 pounds all around. So, I got a pair of inner tubes for the front and dropped the pressure to 8 pounds. This helped, but didn't cure my aliments.
Next, I evaluated the arm rests. With my elbows planted on the arm rests, my upper body was pretty rigid from my shoulders down to my waist. So I flipped the arm rests up and lowered the steering handles. That helped some, as now I could flex at the waist, which helped me "roll with the punches".
Still, when the front wheels dropped off of a tree root or rock, the seat-back would throw my body forward and leave my neck to take it's punishment.
So, I set out to see, if there was a way to make the backrest a bit flexible to prevent some of the whip-lash to my neck.
The seat-back, in addition to the mounting bolts, had a single bolt through one side mount, which was for "adjustment". I removed this adjustment bolt, which allowed the seat to pivot on the mounting posts. I opened the adjustment slot a little and installed a cap screw, to act as a "seat stop".
Now that the seat back was free to pivot .. fore and aft, I had to come up with a means to stabilize it. I used 2 coil springs, which have a means to adjust the tension for comfort and ride. The top of the back-rest will move about 4 inches from normal position to the stop.
I mowed some of the lawn and bounced over the roots and rocks .. it seems better to me.
While most of you probably don't have such issues, others might. ??
There are more images in the album, .. but they show that I got the top bracket off center. ??
ZTR Mower pictures by cat-tek - Photobucket
Tom
Last edited: