Any feedback on Milsco's V5400 Air Ride Seat?

[Xfaxman]

Thanks, I have looked at that style Grammer suspension base.

There is a guy in Stillwater, OK that sells used TORO mowers, I just need to take the time to call and see what he has.

 

[MinnesotaEric]

I received the seat and so I popped on the headrest and removed the back rest to learn how I can change thickness of foam and the density of the foam if I need to attempt to customize the seat to work for my bad back.

 

[MinnesotaEric]

The Grammer seat isn't for me.

 

[murphy1244]

Very good review, I have learned some about the air-ride seats. Would like to get something better on my Ventrac so I will be watching what you get into.

 

[MinnesotaEric]

Very good review, I have learned some about the air-ride seats. Would like to get something better on my Ventrac so I will be watching what you get into.

Thanks. What I've learned is that for turf, skid steers, lift trucks, and such, there are apparently only four major OEMs near as I can tell.

The Sears 1835, Milco V5400, Grammer MSG75 series, and the Seats Inc. I3A.

I'm going to call the distributor who sold me the Grammer and kind out if they have a display of the Milco, Sears and Seats Inc. I3A seat (which may be OEM only). If the distributor has a display, I'll make the 600 mile round trip to try them out and save myself some shipping fees returning the Grammer in the video.

 

[Xfaxman]

The Grammer seat isn't for me.

Bummer, sorry to hear it.

 

[murphy1244]

What is it going to cost you to ship it back?

 

[MinnesotaEric]

What is it going to cost you to ship it back?

Subject to changes, on Thursday I'm going to drive the 630 mile round trip and return the seat I have, pay the 15% restocking fee (I will try to talk them down, but I knew about it going in) and try out at least the Milco V5300, which is the mechanical version of the V5400, but shares the same seat. The I3A, which they do distribute is OEM only, but the distributor said they would try to get one for me anyway.

 

[Ford850]

I think part of the issue with this air seat is the added height. It looks too high for you and that makes the smaller seat feel even worse by putting pressure on your legs. Look at your video and you can see the difference of both seats when in you see the angle of your upper legs. You're better off with a slightly 'too low' seat than a slightly 'too tall' seat.
I have a Grasshopper that I want to improve with some sort of suspension or air seat. GH offers a Grammar seat as an option, but at close to $900 I couldn't justify it. Stupid me. With that upgrade, they also use a lower seat pan, and change out the coil springs under the pan with solid rubber bumpers. All that is done to keep the seat closer to stock height, but it still adds an inch or 2 I believe (since they recommend the optional "tall boy" levers when ordering the better seat). I did opt for those taller levers anyway when I ordered. At this point I might order a simple suspension to add under my GH seat and try that. It is what they used to offer as a suspension upgrade to go with their stock Cordura seat, but don't now. I have that suspension on my older GH and it works quite well, but it's getting warn out. So I could always put the new suspension on the old GH if it doesn't work out on the new GH. Here's that universal suspension I was referring to. Universal Seat Suspension for Most Brands ZTR Zero Turn Mowers Deere Exmark FD | eBay

 

[MinnesotaEric]

I think part of the issue with this air seat is the added height. It looks too high for you and that makes the smaller seat feel even worse by putting pressure on your legs. Look at your video and you can see the difference of both seats when in you see the angle of your upper legs. You're better off with a slightly 'too low' seat than a slightly 'too tall' seat.
I have a Grasshopper that I want to improve with some sort of suspension or air seat. GH offers a Grammar seat as an option, but at close to $900 I couldn't justify it. Stupid me. With that upgrade, they also use a lower seat pan, and change out the coil springs under the pan with solid rubber bumpers. All that is done to keep the seat closer to stock height, but it still adds an inch or 2 I believe (since they recommend the optional "tall boy" levers when ordering the better seat). I did opt for those taller levers anyway when I ordered. At this point I might order a simple suspension to add under my GH seat and try that. It is what they used to offer as a suspension upgrade to go with their stock Cordura seat, but don't now. I have that suspension on my older GH and it works quite well, but it's getting warn out. So I could always put the new suspension on the old GH if it doesn't work out on the new GH. Here's that universal suspension I was referring to. Universal Seat Suspension for Most Brands ZTR Zero Turn Mowers Deere Exmark FD | eBay

Here is a photo of me sitting on the seat with the air suspension set for my weight. As you've discussed on your Grasshopper, any suspension seat will add some height, but on my new Ferris, the stock seat sits a little low, nothing uncomfortable, but a little low. Even so, I immediately noticed that I was sitting a little higher but the seat pan felt too small.