Grand L series suspension seat any upgrades

[Wildfire]

Took the seat apart again tonight. There are 4 springs in mine. 1.3" OD x 0.225" wire diameter x 8.5" between the eyes. Easy to pop them off with the tension bar relaxed. Easy to put back on if you remove the roll pin stop and washer, allowing the adjustment to screw to take let all of the tension out of the spring.

Will have to test the springs to determine their rate (strength), then go to work finding a substitute that both fits and has a higher spring rate - guessing that a 50% increase will do the trick. Concerned that will make it basically impossible to adjust the seat tension lever - might need to do something to make that easier. Thinking a nut threaded onto the end and a socket wrench or a machined wheel, faster and easier.

Probably the easiest thing to do is just swap the spring base with a Grammar air ride unit. Better all the way around, won't look hacked either.

 

[bdhsfz6]

I love mine. I came from the STD L seat and it's no comparison. I haven't bottomed mine since purchasing and I don't think it's on the firmest setting.

I agree. I was pleasantly surprised with the seat improvement the when I traded my old Std L for a Grand L3430. I also agree its far from perfect though. I'm 6' 3" 260 lbs and I bottom out occasionally when mowing rough ground.

This spring, I traded the Grand L for a MX5800 and figured I'd have to upgrade to an aftermarket seat rather than go back to a std one. To my surprise, the MX seat is pretty much the same as the Grand L. The adjustment is on the back rather than the front and it lacks the folding arm rests but otherwise is just as comfortable (relatively speaking). I still bottom out occasionally but I can live with it. The arm rests were easily added. The mechanic told me they are the same as the ones on the Grand L. The parts cost $180 and took 10 minutes to install but well worth it to me. Sure beats spending $1000+ on an aftermarket seat.

I am still interested in any L seat improvements mentioned here though as they will likely work on the MX as well.

 

[FTG-05]

I'm 6'5", about 260 and mine rides low and bottoms out. I put 1.5" square tube spacers between the sliders and the suspension base, helps to get a better position, but still too low.

Need to stiffen up the springs.

Somewhere, somebody knows the specs on those springs. We just need to figure out their length and rate. Then buy some aftermarket that are stronger. (Easier said than done of course...)

Or leave the OEM springs and just add additional ones inside the OEM springs. It looks like there would be room, although it would be tight.

 

[Wildfire]

other ideas

swap the shock for a coil over spring/shock combo

Remove the springs and shock. Install an airbag vertically

Buy the kubota air seat for $832 and sell the spring seat on TBN

My need is more about easy adjustability. My wife is half my weight and neither of us like winding the springs up and down everyone we want to use the tractor.

 

[adventure bob]

Going to the air seat when I find some extra money. I hate the stocker. Its either too soft and bottoms or too stiff and doesn't move. Its like its a switch not a progressive adjustment for my weight, 200ish depending on dinner the night before

 

[troverman]

Anybody find the answer to this? I traded my MX4800 for this L4060 cab machine, and even with the seat set to firmest, it immediately bottoms when I sit in it. The ride is very rough and I'm way too low to the floor (I'm 6'5" 270lbs). My MX did NOT bottom out, nor did my L2501. No question this seat itself is nicer than the MX or L2501 seat (lot more travel, swivel function, recline angle, and armrests)...but frankly, I just want a seat that can support my weight and provide a little shock absorption.