John Joseph McVeigh
Gold Member
One of the minor details that I would have liked to have seen incorporated into the Ventrac Model 4500 series is a retractable seat belt. I realize that the retraction mechanism and the storage magazine for the seat belt would take up space. Perhaps the mechanism would then physically interfere with the seat. I have taken a quick look on-line. Although I have found several vendors of retractable seat belts, none of the ones that I have found so far has included the physical dimensions of the housing for the retraction mechanism and the storage magazine.
As at least a stopgap solution, I have begun using a pair of ceramic block magnets that measure 1-7/8 inches long x 7/8 inch wide x 3/8 inch tall, Master Magnetics No. 07044. The magnet keeps the latch of the seat belt from dangling over the side when I am not on the tractor.
One could alternatively use a disc magnet such as the Master Magnetics No. 07041, or even an Alnico button magnet such as the Master Magnetics No. 07259 (for the color conscious, it appears to be a reasonable match to the Ventrac Red), or a rare-earth magnet such as the Master Magnetics No. 07047.
The latter two are much stronger than what is really needed to do the job.
Pix below.
For what it is worth....
As at least a stopgap solution, I have begun using a pair of ceramic block magnets that measure 1-7/8 inches long x 7/8 inch wide x 3/8 inch tall, Master Magnetics No. 07044. The magnet keeps the latch of the seat belt from dangling over the side when I am not on the tractor.
One could alternatively use a disc magnet such as the Master Magnetics No. 07041, or even an Alnico button magnet such as the Master Magnetics No. 07259 (for the color conscious, it appears to be a reasonable match to the Ventrac Red), or a rare-earth magnet such as the Master Magnetics No. 07047.
The latter two are much stronger than what is really needed to do the job.
Pix below.
For what it is worth....
