Seat Springs

[TheMurf]

I used my BX 188 this afternoon and it did an awesome job. Lawn looks beautiful. The one thing I think needs some improvement is seat springs. I'm no small guy,l bottom the seat on ruff terrain..Are there heavier wound springs available to give more comfort for us big guys ? Thanks guys..

 

[Trustable]

this may not be much help, but I saw in the manual for my l2501 there is a way to adjust the suspension stiffness. Possibly the same in other Kubotas?

 

[TheMurf]

this may not be much help, but I saw in the manual for my l2501 there is a way to adjust the suspension stiffness. Possibly the same in other Kubotas?

Trustable, I have the the shop manual.I will take a look. Thank you..

 

[Trustable]

Trustable, I have the the shop manual.I will take a look. Thank you..

I just got mine in, so I'm gonna do the same and see, seems kinda soft.

 

[TheMurf]

I just got mine in, so I'm gonna do the same and see, seems kinda soft.

Trustable, Just checking the manuals. Nothing on spring tension, seat sliding and tilting but no spring tension I see. I called the dealership to see if they have stiffer springs as an accessory option, the parts guy said he was not aware of any, he checked the catalog also..

 

[TheOldHokie]

Trustable, Just checking the manuals. Nothing on spring tension, seat sliding and tilting but no spring tension I see. I called the dealership to see if they have stiffer springs as an accessory option, the parts guy said he was not aware of any, he checked the catalog also..

I have not looked at the parts manual but I would think you could buy a couple helper springs to fit inside the OEM springs from someplace like McMaster.

Dan

 

[TheMurf]

I have not looked at the parts manual but I would think you could buy a couple helper springs to fit inside the OEM springs from someplace like McMaster.

Dan

Thank you Dan, That was going to be where I looked next. I thought maybe aftermarket might make something?

 

[TheOldHokie]

Thank you Dan, That was going to be where I looked next. I thought maybe aftermarket might make something?

Many sources for compression springs. I would think beefing up the OEM springs with some boosters is probably the easiest.

Dan

 

[Russell King]

Look at Danly die springs

Account Suspended

Watch for free length and travel to solid. Often springs are near solid just due to static weight and can’t really absorb much shock movement before solid.

Can you post pictures of the seat spring system so we can see what it looks like.

I know on my old L185 there is a nut that adjusts the spring tension

 

[CGMKCM]

Take measurements of existing springs and see if these can be swapped in. Otherwise swim noodle modification.
Ken's Bolt on hooks

 

[skeets]

I used a couple valve springs out of an old Harley

 

[TheMurf]

I used a couple valve springs out of an old Harley

Thanks guys,I will definitely look into the link to see if they fit. That would be a solution. Old Harley Valve springs might help as a helper spring. Thanks again

 

[Mowbizz]

A very simple solution that worked for me for several years is a small heavy duty inner tube inflated to your desired poundage…I weigh 260-270 and this helped the BX seat springs considerably. Eventually after a couple of patch jobs it gave up but it’s still an easy and cheap solution! Lift the seat and put the tube down and lower the seat!

 

[ve9aa]

In the summer when I mow (occasionally) with the Bx I have a seat cushion (the type you'd buy at any store selling car accessories. (BUT WAIT!, there's more) Inside the seat cushion "bag" I have a really big air bladder. The type from a blood pressure cuff. (normally would go inside a blood pressure cuff)...this one is from a "thigh cuff"...yes, that's a thing)

I can inflate it with a hand bulb to any pressure I'd like from " I can barely tell there's air in it, to: I am sitting on a beach ball." (less is usually best)

I put the same system inside my Harley seat as well.

I got them (used) from work, but I am sure you could find them online.

 

[TheOldHokie]

In the summer when I mow (occasionally) with the Bx I have a seat cushion (the type you'd buy at any store selling car accessories. (BUT WAIT!, there's more) Inside the seat cushion "bag" I have a really big air bladder. The type from a blood pressure cuff. (normally would go inside a blood pressure cuff)...this one is from a "thigh cuff"...yes, that's a thing)

I can inflate it with a hand bulb to any pressure I'd like from " I can barely tell there's air in it, to: I am sitting on a beach ball." (less is usually best)

I put the same system inside my Harley seat as well.

I got them (used) from work, but I am sure you could find them online.

Air ride suspension seat on a budget
Or is that a Whoopi cushion minus the Whoopi

Dan

 

[mikester]

Try and aftermarket suspension seat, OEM Kubota seats suck.

 

[TheMurf]

Try and aftermarket suspension seat, OEM Kubota seats suck.

Mikester, Well I think it's the suspension, the springs are not firm enough to support a guy my size. So, today l spent about eight bucks, went to a local old time hardware store, bought two heavy wound springs that fit perfectly inside the stock springs and are held in place by the rubber stopper. It worked simply and it gives more support to keep the seat from bottoming out. I will post some pictures tomorrow.. Duel springs now on both sides of the seat. Much more support.

 

[Flintknapper]

Mikester, Well I think it's the suspension, the springs are not firm enough to support a guy my size. So, today l spent about eight bucks, went to a local old time hardware store, bought two heavy wound springs that fit perfectly inside the stock springs and are held in place by the rubber stopper. It worked simply and it gives more support to keep the seat from bottoming out. I will post some pictures tomorrow.. Duel springs now on both sides of the seat. Much more support.

I would love to see what you came up with. I'm 6'-5" and 265 lbs. and the seat springs on my L2350DT don't really cut it when my tractor hits a bump or hole in the pasture.

 

[D2Cat]

If shallow seats are the problem I think there was a thread a whlle back on the topic. One solution was a 2 liter bottle pinched under the base!

 

[mikester]

I would love to see what you came up with. I'm 6'-5" and 265 lbs. and the seat springs on my L2350DT don't really cut it when my tractor hits a bump or hole in the pasture.

For suspension to work you need stroke travel to cushion bumps. K OEM tends to give you only 3/4" max stroke, changing the springs won't help much. If you are heavy and hit a bump your spine acts as your suspension to absorb the impact as you only get about 1/2" of spring travel to play with.

If you get a suspension with at least 2" stroke the springs will do their job better.

FYI both my OEM K suspension systems are sitting in my scrap bin right now for these reasons. Air ride is the only way to go IMHO.

A cheaper alternative is something like this instead of OEM

https://www.princessauto.com/en/black-universal-suspension-seat/product/PA0008866030

You get what you pay for. I'm tired of losing one to two weeks of my life with sciatica due to crappy seats.