Zero turn (ZTR) Mower Seat Modifications

[tmajor]

About 3 years ago, I got a Woods ZTR (MZ1952), which is one of their commercial models, with a Michigan Suspension Seat with high back and arm rests. I was totally happy with the ZTR concept and speed, even though my yard is a "little rugged". I have inclines, pine tree roots running on top of the ground, due to the ledges ... all in all "not a golf course"! The mower is even sporting ag tires to help keep me out of trouble.

This season has had rain about 2-3 times a week, which means "a good growing season" and lots of mowing. My neck started giving me problems, which I realized, after a while, was due to mowing. The ZTR was like riding a Buckboard or Mechanical Bull

I checked the tire pressure, which was too high, even though the manual says 14 pounds all around. So, I got a pair of inner tubes for the front and dropped the pressure to 8 pounds. This helped, but didn't cure my aliments.

Next, I evaluated the arm rests. With my elbows planted on the arm rests, my upper body was pretty rigid from my shoulders down to my waist. So I flipped the arm rests up and lowered the steering handles. That helped some, as now I could flex at the waist, which helped me "roll with the punches".

Still, when the front wheels dropped off of a tree root or rock, the seat-back would throw my body forward and leave my neck to take it's punishment.

So, I set out to see, if there was a way to make the backrest a bit flexible to prevent some of the whip-lash to my neck.

The seat-back, in addition to the mounting bolts, had a single bolt through one side mount, which was for "adjustment". I removed this adjustment bolt, which allowed the seat to pivot on the mounting posts. I opened the adjustment slot a little and installed a cap screw, to act as a "seat stop".

Now that the seat back was free to pivot .. fore and aft, I had to come up with a means to stabilize it. I used 2 coil springs, which have a means to adjust the tension for comfort and ride. The top of the back-rest will move about 4 inches from normal position to the stop.

I mowed some of the lawn and bounced over the roots and rocks .. it seems better to me.

While most of you probably don't have such issues, others might. ??

There are more images in the album, .. but they show that I got the top bracket off center. ??
ZTR Mower pictures by cat-tek - Photobucket
Tom

 

[Mpking]

I'm betting this will inspire others as I think this is a common problem on ZTRs due to their speed. Hustler actually makes a seat that does exactly what yours does called the Flex Seat. Nice mod!

 

[WVBill]

I have a similar problem with my Country Clipper ZTR.
The seat bottom pivots at the front and is supported on a couple of springs at the back. The OEM springs are not strong enough to support my weight so they bottom out. I know I need to lose weight but in the interim, I need stronger springs.

Where did you get your springs?

 

[tmajor]

I got the springs at my local "Do It Best" hardware store.

 

[mchildress]

That is a great idea thanks for sharing. I have Kubota ZD 326 and have played with the tire pressure to smooth out the ride. The trick on the tire pressure is to lower it just enough to prevent scalping the grass.

 

[DanD78]

That looks like a good plan. Probably cheeper than the one I got. I bought an adjustable spring suspension kit off ebay that installed between the seat and seat mount that is spring adjustable. It works well because I weigh about 240 and my wife a little over 115. My setting won't work for her. It raised the seat about 2" but sure made the ride a lot better. Used on a JD 757.

Seat Suspension John Deere Z Trak 737 757 777 797 997 | eBay

 

[tmajor]

My Michigan Suspension Seat, which is what most OEMs use, has the springs and shock built into the seat, which only helps with "up and down" motion.

Part of the problem is the "high back". The mid mount ZTRs have a ton of weight in the front, so when the front wheel drops, it's "hard and quick"! With the high back, it throws your shoulders forward, just as hard and quick.

While the arm rests are nice (in theory), I believe they add to the problem, by bracing the upper body into a rigid position.

 

[smoker]

tmajor, excellent job! I have a Kubota ZD21 which gives the feeling of riding on a rock.....know what I mean? My lawn is like yours.....previously known as pasture. Nice work, thanks for sharing. smoker

 

[tmajor]

I mowed the rest of my lawn today. The new seat mod. worked great! I was able to get off the ZTR when I was done, and still walk and move my neck, without pain. Plus, I mowed most of it at a faster pace than normal! :thumbsup:

Smooth. ... "smoother"!

An then, the rough sections!

 

[2manyrocks]

I won't mention the prominent name brand ZTR I recently bought, but it has a cheap seat on it--arm rests were an extra cost option, and the thing just doesn't sit right on the mower in relation to anything. It's too tilted forward and the relation of leg height to sitting position is not right, either, with no way to adjust it.

Point is that this is a great post to study to start thinking about what can be done to improve some of these seats. :thumbsup:

 

[tmajor]

It's too tilted forward and the relation of leg height to sitting position is not right, either, with no way to adjust it.

Depending on the mounting method of your seat, you might be able to help things out with some of these "shock/vibration" mounts. Maybe, even different lengths under front and rear.
H.A. King

 

[Mean Jean]

Helpful thread, this will benefit many folks.

Great to hear you are getting the lawn done faster.
Nice lines in the first picture.

Tmajor made mention of these mowers turning hard and fast.
I would try and use that to your advantage.
Maybe some struts added to improve cornering?
Would different tires make a big difference?

 

[tmajor]

Tmajor made mention of these mowers turning hard and fast.
I would try and use that to your advantage.
Maybe some struts added to improve cornering?
Would different tires make a big difference?

I didn't reference "turning hard and fast", I said the front wheels "drop hard and fast". As a result, the seat-back throws your body forward causing mild whip-lash.

 

[Mean Jean]

Re: the misquote.
Sorry, I misread it.

Question
-Are there shocks at the front wheels?
-Any shocks up front?
If you could dampen the initial hard dip of the front, you would lessen the whiplash effect. Should also speed up your cornering. Knock some time off your mowing time.

 

[tmajor]

No shocks ... I have the brochures on the Simplicity and Ferris, both of which have chassis suspension shocks. But they would have cost me $1500 to trade and I'm not sure that they have components equivalent the commercial grade Woods. Plus, they don't have a suspension seat.

I have found some "coil over shocks" on eBay for motorcycle seats, which I think would work (in place of my arrangement), ... but they aren't cheap! But, they are cheaper than some, which I've seem for $200 + .. a piece!

 

[Mean Jean]

Can you post a close up of the front wheels?
Adding shocks there would be great.

 

[tmajor]

Don't have a picture on hand of front wheels. Moat all of the ZRTs have pretty much the same configuration on the front wheels. Adding shocks to the front is a major modification and the shocks aren't cheap!

 

[Mean Jean]

Bouce it off enough guys and someone will come up with an affordable, and clever solution.

 

[tmajor]

I've created a short video of the modification action. It's "short", because there are only so many things you can do "by yourself".

‪ZTR Mower seat mod.‬‏ - YouTube

 

[WVBill]

Don't have a picture on hand of front wheels. Moat all of the ZRTs have pretty much the same configuration on the front wheels. Adding shocks to the front is a major modification and the shocks aren't cheap!

Here's what my front wheels look like. I've toyed with the idea of taking out that bolt that holds the whole assembly together and replacing it with a longer bolt that runs up through an added spring up on top...