PT-425 PROS & cons??

[BillCroasmun]

Re: PT-425 PROS & cons??

I've thought about this issue and solution quite a bit myself. I thought about a long pin with cotter pins and also a strap with a quick connecting buckle from the back of the seat to the rear of the front section.

Never moved to action since I had never heard of it affecting anyone though. I kept thinking... maybe I'm just paranoid.

 

[MossRoad]

Re: PT-425 PROS & cons??

OUCH is right! I've had that happen a couple of times, too. It gives you a nice view of the FEL arms and linkages.

I fold my seat up often, so I would try to use one of those pins with the tumb button in the middle to release the spring loaded ball bearing deals. What are those things called, anyway?

 

[FOURTEEN]

Re: PT-425 PROS & cons??

There are several ways that the seat could be restrained, as long as the method chosen is strong enough to not fail when it is most needed!

Perhaps a 3/8" threaded rod with snug nuts on both sides would be sufficient. In any event I think that any strong method of restraining the seat is preferable to the OEM folding seat!

I still can't envision the need to often fold the seat, but each of us use their equipment in different ways!


Now if I can just get the ‘SRS Air Bag’ to fit and the ‘Electronic Stability Control’ hooked up!!!!

 

[BobRip]

Re: PT-425 PROS & cons??

Sure! I didn't have a rod, but I did have some bolts!

However, the rod would not have the shear strength of the properly tightened bolts. I'd hate to hit something again, and have the rod ends bend releasing the seat to fold forward anyway!! For the few times that I foresee wanting to fold the seat, I think that the bolts would be the preferred way to go!!

As you know, I have no fear of PT Pucker, but that is another instance where the folding seat acerbates the situation by dumping you forward onto the steering wheel just as you are trying to regain control!! A snug seatbelt attached to a solidly mounted seat will hold you in the proper position to effectively control the PT in nearly any situation!!

Good points. There's my next mod.

 

[BobRip]

Re: PT-425 PROS & cons??

Good points. There's my next mod.

OK it's done. I used one long 7/16 inch bolt. It goes below the seat bracket instead of through it. Thanks to Fourteen for another good modification. See attached pictures.

I tapered the end of the bolt (after threading some nuts on it) using the belt sander. The nuts had no trouble coming off after that. The taper hopefully will allow me to find the far hole during bolt insertion without removing the PT tunnel cover.

 

[KentT]

Re: PT-425 PROS & cons??

OK it's done. I used one long 7/16 inch bolt. It goes below the seat bracket instead of through it. Thanks to Fourteen for another good modification. See attached pictures.

I tapered the end of the bolt (after threading some nuts on it) using the belt sander. The nuts had no trouble coming off after that. The taper hopefully will allow me to find the far hole during bolt insertion without removing the PT tunnel cover.

Nice mod, Bob.

Those pics have me wondering if it would be possible to cut/grind the top hole (the one it pivots on) into a slotted hole in the seat bracket, elongating it down toward the end of the bracket. The slot would parallel the edge of the bracket. Then you could lift up and back on the seat, pulling it up the slot, then pivot it forward. When the seat is down, the pivot bolt is at the top of the slot and the angled end of the seat bracket is wedged between those two bolts you have there...

Not sure that this communicates what I'm picturing very well, but this would allow you to lock the seat to where it wouldn't fly forward, yet allow you to lift it and pivot it forward when you need to access the hydraulic tank, center pivot, etc.

 

[BobRip]

Re: PT-425 PROS & cons??

Nice mod, Bob.

Those pics have me wondering if it would be possible to cut/grind the top hole (the one it pivots on) into a slotted hole in the seat bracket, elongating it down toward the end of the bracket. The slot would parallel the edge of the bracket. Then you could lift up and back on the seat, pulling it up the slot, then pivot it forward. When the seat is down, the pivot bolt is at the top of the slot and the angled end of the seat bracket is wedged between those two bolts you have there...

Not sure that this communicates what I'm picturing very well, but this would allow you to lock the seat to where it wouldn't fly forward, yet allow you to lift it and pivot it forward when you need to access the hydraulic tank, center pivot, etc.

I can't quite visualize that, but I kinda see it. Sounds like it might work sometimes, and not others. You could slot the bottom forward end of the seat bracket so the slot goes into the existing stop bolts or maybe new bolts. I guess I need to order the milling machine that I have been thinking about. This might be difficult with my existing tools.

 

[MossRoad]

Re: PT-425 PROS & cons??

...

I still can't envision the need to often fold the seat, but each of us use their equipment in different ways!...

Every time I fuel up, I fold the seat forward so no fuel splashes on the seat. The filler opening is only about 6 inches from the seat back. I check the hydraulic oil level every so often, so I need it then, too.

 

[FOURTEEN]

Re: PT-425 PROS & cons??

It sounds like I got those brain cells burning yet again!! When I get ready to skin my cat, I know right where to come for the best method!!

 

[KentT]

Re: PT-425 PROS & cons??

I can't quite visualize that, but I kinda see it. Sounds like it might work sometimes, and not others. You could slot the bottom forward end of the seat bracket so the slot goes into the existing stop bolts or maybe new bolts. I guess I need to order the milling machine that I have been thinking about. This might be difficult with my existing tools.

Does this help? I think it would work, but you'd need to use a large flat washer on each mounting bolt to spread the stress. You may have to round off that pointed nose on the bracket to get it to clear the bolt on the bottom, left.