PT Tilt Seat

[yooperdave]

Does anyone have a tilt seat on their PT?

What is the big advantage over a non-tilt seat?

Why does the 1845 not have arm rests as an available option?

Thanks

Yooper Dave

 

[Bob999]

The tilt seat allows the operator to work cross slope with much greater comfortand less strain. I highly recommend it.

My 1845 came with arm rests as standard equipment.

 

[RegL]

I was interested in putting a tilt seat on my 1430 because I do some field mowing on some fairly steep slopes and there is a switch on the dash labeled tilt seat. Called PT and was told I could not put one on the 1430. The switch is there because they use the same dash panel as 1845. Does anyone that has a tilt seat see any reason why it won't go on the 1430?

 

[Bob999]

<font color="red"> Does anyone that has a tilt seat see any reason why it won't go on the 1430?
</font>

The frame on the 1845 is wider than the 1430 (more space for additional circuitry like the tilt seat and brake tender). The 1845 uses a different variable displacement pump than the 1430 (perhaps the tap used for the seat circuit isn't available on the 1430). But I suspect the bottom line is that PT just doesn't offer the option on the 1430.

 

[yooperdave]

Would you still recommend it even if you did not have many hills? I have a few slopes but it is not typical.

Is the tilt seat expensive?

I make the big purchase of a 1845 tomorrow.

The unit is used, but with only 200 hours on the frame and with a new engine, hydraulic pump and hoses.

I guess the engine "blowed up" so PT is discounting the revamped unit $6,500 from new.

Yooper Dave

 

[Charlie_Iliff]

I have the tilt seat. I certainly don't think it would be worth the extra money to have it installed. It is a bit more comfortable in steep side-hill mowing, but only then. In fairly level use, it moves now and then, and sometimes lets the seat sag crooked until the mercury switch turns on. The mercury switches are hard to adjust, and on mine the throttle cable knocked the power wire off the solenoid. It's a bit more complexity which I don't think is worth it, even though it's a bit more comfortable in steep work.

 

[Bob999]

<font color="red"> Would you still recommend it even if you did not have many hills? </font>

I agree with Charlie Iliff's comments about the advantages and disadvantages. I certainly wouldn't chose it if I were not working on slopes.

I mow mostly slopes and as much of it as I can I mow cross slope. The Tilt Seat makes this much more comfortable. I wouldn't want to be without it in my situation.

 

[DonStillwagon]

Hi REGL: Have a 1430 in NC and mow slopes. Planned to add arms to pt seat but not cost effective ($100), plus seat is pretty light duty(!). Found a Kodiak seat at Tractor Supply for $145 with good solid armrests and about 3" padding. Waterproof nylon is tough and warmer. Arm rests have eliminated my grabbing the ROPS for support on slopes. Mounting holes are universal - fits very nice. I was dithering on spending that much money when my better half asked me pointedly just how many hours I had on the tractor (getting close to 500 now) and did I not spend those hours in seat and then gripe about a sore sitter /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif Best investment in a long time! Another modification on seat - took out stop bolts and put in longer ones with some old shock absorber rubber bushings with a flat washer on machine side and bevel washer reversed to capture seat mounting arm. Idea is to lift seat a little to get closer to wheel and to provide a little more give to setup. Found I had to compress the bushing a lot to get the right setting. If you would like a picture let me know - that is a pretty terse description. Idea was to provide a little jounce capability to seat mounting tilt stop.

Combination of this setup and a steering wheel knob make a pretty nice steering arrangement. I usually just hook an elbow around the arm and raise it slightly to mow slopes - makes it easy to stay in good position. One more suggestion - my sideslopes tend to be rough riding - I found it is worth it to spend the time dropping the tire pressure to about 7# for mowing with the finish mower using draft control. I always put the pressure back up to 20# before using the bucket or forks for stability reasons - side slopes and soft tires are bad news with any load at all.

Don

 

[RegL]

Hi Don, good to hear from another 1430 owner. i don,t think there are many of us on here. I also replaced my seat with a suspension one from TSC for about $110. It's abour four inches higher and a little harder to get in and out of, but once your in there, it's a much better ride. I also have a better view of the attachments out front. It causes the position of the steering wheel to be lower and closer and, for me, steering a lot easier, As a matter of fact, I removed the steering knob I had installed cause I don't need it. The higher seat also put the joy stick in a better position for me. I'll have to take some pics later also.

Reg