Navig8r 132 #1 Posted August 4, 2014 I have the oem seat on my 94 416-H. I really don't think I like it. I feel too tall and tipsy on it, and my sciattica gets fired up every time I use the tractor. I have an exmark ZTR I can run for hours without a problem, so its not about sitting and bouncing around, it is, I believe, the shape. We had a 310-8 when I was a kid, and if I recall, the seat had no spring, and therefore sat lower, and didn't flex/move to the sides. To me, the old 310 felt more stable on uneven ground. Seems like I could mount my seat to the plate without the springs, to lower the center of gravity... Anyone done this? Anyone else dislike this oem seat setup? What seat have you found to be functional and comfortable? Sent from my ADR6350 using Tapatalk 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hodge71 664 #2 Posted August 4, 2014 Wasnt a real big fan of the OEM seat on my 1996 416 either. So I replaced it....this one makes me feel even higher and more unstable just like you stated. I'm building a 416 for Dad right now as his 12 Auto has about 4500-5000 hours and needs a rebuild. I believe the new seat is getting bolted directly to the adjuster mechanism with no springs at all. Dad mows hills quite a bit and while theyre not that steep, at 74 and his balance isnt what it used to be and I dont want a rollover accident because he felt tipsy. I think wheel weights, front and rear will help the stability as well. Youre not crazy I find my old low back on my 1974 C-160 much more comfortable than the newer seat on my 416 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Martin 2,131 #3 Posted August 4, 2014 i guess at the moment i am in the minority here. all of my 80-90s tractors have the seat springs and either oem seats or replacement medium height back seats. i absolutely would take one of them any day over the 60s tractors for comfort. i also don't find the standard spring setup unstable at all. if everything is tight in the rear, (seat pan support, flip frame and bushings etc) and you have decent springs you should have a stable ride. i used to mow with both my 1277 and my sons 875 and i could hardly move after getting off the unsprung low seat setup on them......... my newest 416 with the oem style toro seat and standard flip/spring setup is a dream to ride around on and i feel i have plenty of side support and stability... if you have the slide adjusters and spacers between the springs and seat, removing then could get the height down a bit, also some of the flip frames used the early 90s large coil springs attached to them that rested on the seat pan, i could see where they would be unstable as they don't sit down firm like the small bumpers do...... this oem seat (minus the toro logo-but made by the same supplier) is lower than some of the medium back seats. i think it is miles ahead of the seat that was on the 90s tractors from the factory, seem to sit lower and the sides hold you in comfortably. just my 2 cents worth, I'm sure there will be other opinions to follow!!! 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hodge71 664 #4 Posted August 4, 2014 i guess at the moment i am in the minority here. all of my 80-90s tractors have the seat springs and either oem seats or replacement medium height back seats. i absolutely would take one of them any day over the 60s tractors for comfort. i also don't find the standard spring setup unstable at all. if everything is tight in the rear, (seat pan support, flip frame and bushings etc) and you have decent springs you should have a stable ride. i used to mow with both my 1277 and my sons 875 and i could hardly move after getting off the unsprung low seat setup on them......... my newest 416 with the oem style toro seat and standard flip/spring setup is a dream to ride around on and i feel i have plenty of side support and stability... if you have the slide adjusters and spacers between the springs and seat, removing then could get the height down a bit, also some of the flip frames used the early 90s large coil springs attached to them that rested on the seat pan, i could see where they would be unstable as they don't sit down firm like the small bumpers do...... this oem seat (minus the toro logo-but made by the same supplier) is lower than some of the medium back seats. i think it is miles ahead of the seat that was on the 90s tractors from the factory, seem to sit lower and the sides hold you in comfortably. just my 2 cents worth, I'm sure there will be other opinions to follow!!! IMG_3564.JPG IMG_3565.JPG Martin!!!! Where did you get that seat?! Its gorgeous and much lower than the crap seat on the 416 I have and the OEM one for my Dads. I want to buy 2 of them!!! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Martin 2,131 #5 Posted August 4, 2014 heres the story behind it..... heres a link.... https://www.turfseats.com/p-1859-km-123-uni-pro.aspx $91.00 shipped to my door...... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Navig8r 132 #6 Posted August 4, 2014 ......if you have the slide adjusters and spacers between the springs and seat, removing then could get the height down a bit, ... ......i think it is miles ahead of the seat that was on the 90s tractors from the factory, seem to sit lower and the sides hold you in comfortably..... I may try removing the slides... hadn't thought about that. I am the only one who runs the machine, so i don't need adjustability on the fly. Part of the reason the height of the seat is bothering me is probably because I am not using the tractor for mowing, but for other chores... hauling stuff, and dragging branches, etc... often on and off the seat frequently, and on uneven ground. That seat you have definitely looks like you sit deeper into it than my oem seat, I think the lateral support looks better too. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
can whlvr 993 #7 Posted August 5, 2014 im not a fan of the newer seats(1990 and newer)I find they are slippery and its a little harder to stay on them Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tankman 3,518 #8 Posted August 5, 2014 (edited) Tried all kinds of seats. Never found a "great" one. One day drivin' through the country found a wrecked Jazzy (?) trashed, at the curb. I stopped, took out some tools and removed the seat. Unfortunately the arm rests were trashed. This seat was gray, black now, Duplicolor vinyl and material paint. I had to drill mounting holes, easy enough. A comfy seat, covering comes off along with the padding for cleaning. Mounted on my 416-8. Seat folds down when not in use if you want to. Just push it down or raise it up. Edited August 5, 2014 by Tankman 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Don1977 604 #9 Posted August 5, 2014 My 312 I took the coil springs off and added a pipe spacer between the bracket and bumpers with longer bolts. The seat switch was already gone so I didn't need the springs. I like it much better now. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Navig8r 132 #10 Posted August 6, 2014 Spent a couple more hours on the wh last night, dragging construction debris (tore down my old deck to make way for new) around to the front of the house. I am now sure that my problem is the seat itself primarily. The shape just pushes the rider out of it as soon as things get a bit off-camber..... Gonna start keeping my eyes open for something with better lateral support or a deeper 'dish' to it. Sent from my ADR6350 using Tapatalk 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
alswagg 128 #11 Posted August 7, 2014 I actually like the old seats you find on an old Ford Tractor. the rounded style. Very comfortable. I am thinking of converting my D series to this type. Al Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AMC RULES 37,125 #12 Posted August 7, 2014 Tried all kinds of seats. Never found a "great" one. One day drivin' through the country found a wrecked Jazzy (?) trashed, at the curb. I stopped, took out some tools and removed the seat. Unfortunately the arm rests were trashed. This seat was gray, black now, Duplicolor vinyl and material paint. I had to drill mounting holes, easy enough. A comfy seat, covering comes off along with the padding for cleaning. Mounted on my 416-8. Seat folds down when not in use if you want to. Just push it down or raise it up. Jazzy_Black.jpg Seat turned out really nice. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Navig8r 132 #13 Posted October 19, 2014 I took the adjusters off yesterday, and ran it today, on some uneven ground..... I feel much more stable than before. I'd still Like a bit more lateral support, bit this is a big improvement. Sent from my ADR6350 using Tapatalk 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
