Modifications for tall and/or larger folks?

[ebinmaine 67,496]

What have you done to your own tractor or seen on someone else's that makes it more user friendly for a larger sized person?

 

On my Cinnamon Horse 1974 C160-8 and my 1975 C160 Automatic I have the seats moved back about two or three inches past where they will go as set up stock.

I don't like using seat springs so I remove them and replace with 1.5 inch square multi hole structural steel. 

 

 

What all have you all done did?

 

[Pullstart 62,871]

I’m 5’7 with my thick socks on and hover between 185 and 200 depending on my buffet membership status.  Most of our machines have fixed seats and I fit just right.  We’ve gone through measures to get us closer to the pedals in fact.  
 

On “Screamin’ Jimmy” there is a second pedal pivoting on an extra 3/4” rod welded to the frame, C series style.  It’s hidden to the point that some day when Rylee can touch the long pedal, we can remove everything and add a non-cut running board.

 

on “Philly” the 1076, we redrilled the fender pan to move the seat as far forward as possible.  For the most part, I could drive either of these machines with no trouble.

[squonk 41,111]

Don't like springs? I hate sitting on the fender pan and getting the thighs pinched between the seat pan and the fender!  

 

I raised the seat on the 1467 which also gave me more leg room and  and lengthened the steering shaft to get the wheel higher.

 

 

 

[ri702bill 8,320]

I added this adjustable Helper Spring setup to the 854 8 speed. All of my Round Hoods have the same issue - the seat touches the rear fenders and abrades the paint away using the C shaped seat mount - OK for non-restored Working Girls, but would definetly be an issue with a complete repaint. Just using the inner spring leaves about 3/4" clearance for my 250 ish pound self. With the black outer and the inner, it raises it to about an inch clearance. All bolt in and removable. I could have used a spacer block to raise the seat but chose not to - my knees would be up against the backside of the steering wheel. Added bonus - the lower mount clears the 8 speed dipstick tube just fine.

Bill

[Alex175 784]

This a perfect thread to give me some ideas.  I'm 6'4" and have a bit of a belly and while I have no issues on my C-145 or C-175 getting on or off of the machine, my C-195 is a different story, I believe it is in part due to a larger steering wheel diameter, as well as seat placement, but when I am on the super C the steering wheel is resting right up against me, and maneuvering to get off the machine is a major hassle.

[pacer 3,169]

No help in ideas for your --- largeness! but one piece of advice is ---- Never buy a D series!! with the gas tank sitting directly behind the seat it is quite limited in moving the seat back. I'm 5'-11"/170# and it is one feature that I dont like on my D's with no way to correct it.

[Pullstart 62,871]

5 minutes ago, pacer said:

No help in ideas for your --- largeness! but one piece of advice is ---- Never buy a D series!! with the gas tank sitting directly behind the seat it is quite limited in moving the seat back. I'm 5'-11"/170# and it is one feature that I dont like on my D's with no way to correct it.

Move the tank to the right fender, like the backhoe models?

[Lee1977 6,659]

In the later models with the gas tank under the seat you can raise the seat bracket gas tan and fender pan put a spacer block between the transmission and fender bracket. I did this to mount 25x9.00x12 tires. I also raised the steer wheel. I also have a 1/2" spacer under the seat hinge to fix the angle as the seat tilted forward;

I'm like Pulstart 5' 7" so the 312-8 with and the hand lift on the later makes the clutch peddle a little harder to reach. That and moving the seat back should give a lot more room.

The front is lifted also the 8" rims and 400x8 tri ribs witjh the raised reinforced 312 spindles.

Edited December 8, 2021 by Lee1977

[Maxwell-8 4,275]

I am just 6feet, but have the legs of someone who is 7 feet. so my knies are always bashed up against the dashboard on most cars.

On tractors, I always tend to have very bend legs. On Wheel Horses, It hasn't been bad at all.

But my legs and wanting to fit bigger tires I moved the tranny to the rear. 

And I am planning on moving the seat back. getting rid of that tilt up plate I still don't no if I am going to use two springs like this: 

or one big one, more comfy but I am afraid of to much side to side play

 

[slim67 2,735]

Good thread topic Eric. I struggle with that a little bit as you know from my 1054 thread. My Raider10 that was this years plow mule had the seat mounted right onto the fender pan but it’s been replaced with a real nice seat off of a zero turn mower complete with arm rests. The unistrut used by electricians is what I would use for any future seat mods though.

[kpinnc 12,028]

3 hours ago, Lee1977 said:

In the later models with the gas tank under the seat you can raise the seat bracket gas tan and fender pan put a spacer block between the transmission and fender bracket.

 

I'm a 6 foot clydesdale myself, and I sometimes feel these machines were built for hobbits...

 

I've been quite surprised at how much more comfortable my tractors are just by raising the seat just an inch or so. Of course the steering wheel position is a factor on how much lift is practical.

 

But sitting up a little higher seems to me as important and sliding the seat back. 

[midpack 866]

19 minutes ago, kpinnc said:

I sometimes feel these machines were built for hobbits

You think these are cramped, try a Panzer

[roadapples 6,983]

On my 74 C160 I  flipped the bracket that the seat hinges on and added a 2" spacer on the front between the seat pan and the bracket that locks the pan down. 

it gave me more leg room at 6'2" and 240#, but also room for 26x12-12 tires

[ebinmaine 67,496]

2 hours ago, slim67 said:

Good thread topic Eric. I struggle with that a little bit as you know from my 1054 thread

Thanks. 

That's what made me think to start it....

 

I got curious to see what other "not small" folk do. 

 

 

 

 

7 hours ago, squonk said:

raised the seat

 

37 minutes ago, kpinnc said:

sitting up a little higher seems to me as important and sliding the seat back

 

 

I see the logic of what you're both up to...

HUGE issue here is our terrain.  A higher load is easier to throw off a horse.  

Lower seat means lower center of gravity and better safety and stability. 

 

[roadapples 6,983]

Also the reason I don't own any short frame tractors...

[SylvanLakeWH 25,557]

Unintended benefit of adding 2 layers of 1/2” pvc board under my E 141 seat to provide a platform in lieu of missing seat brackets: way more comfortable seating… 1” higher made a big difference … sandwich top and bottom of seat pan…

 

 

Edited December 8, 2021 by SylvanLakeWH

[ebinmaine 67,496]

10 minutes ago, roadapples said:

Also the reason I don't own any short frame tractors...

Me too. 

Small BBT has 3, all short frames.  

Large Bear 🐻 has all long frames. 

 

[Handy Don 12,225]

We have users ranging from a petite 5' to very substantial 6' 3". With no "compromise" position being possible, I added aftermarket seat slides.

 

I placed them between the seat and the springs, with the (shortened) handle at the front right of the seat. (Note: they came with an internal stop in one direction but required that I add the stop in the other direction--thankfully discovered before launching myself off the back of the tractor! )

 

The slides raise the seat about ¾" and give us a full 6" range of travel in ½" increments. BTW, to get an idea of that range, my Volvo's front seat fore-aft travel is also 6".

 

The "normal" seat range adjustment via the bolts in slots in the seat pan is 3" and still available; I've set ours right in the middle and so far that seems to work well, as all the users are quite happy!

 

 

 

 

[ebinmaine 67,496]

12 minutes ago, Handy Don said:

users ranging from a petite 5' to very substantial 6' 3". With no "compromise" position being possible, I added aftermarket seat slides

Nice work Don. 

 

I'd like to add that the fully approved appropriate compromise is ~of course~ additional Wheelhorses.  

 

15 minutes ago, Handy Don said:

thankfully discovered before launching myself off the back of the tractor

 

Having personally of my own self tried the rear directionality unplanned rapid dismount I can assure you it isn't the best plan.  

[Handy Don 12,225]

19 minutes ago, ebinmaine said:

Nice work Don. 

 

I'd like to add that the fully approved appropriate compromise is ~of course~ additional Wheelhorses.  

 

Having personally of my own self tried the rear directionality unplanned rapid dismount I can assure you it isn't the best plan.  

Additional tractors has gotten a very distinct "no" from the executive committee for, I readily concede, several good reasons.

 

When assembling the slide to the seat (off the tractor in the shop) and testing the motion, the seat came clear off the slide rails. I had a very clear "aha!" moment thinking of how painful a later discovery could have been.

 

 

[kpinnc 12,028]

6 hours ago, Handy Don said:

When assembling the slide to the seat (off the tractor in the shop) and testing the motion, the seat came clear off the slide rails. I had a very clear "aha!" moment thinking of how painful a later discovery could have been.

 

I wouldn't wish injury on anyone. That being said, I imagine someone holding the clutch down, tractor full throttle and in 3rd gear, adjusting the seat RIGHT OFF THE BACK OF THE TRACTOR!!!. Tractor takes off, sans seat, leaving the driver sitting on the seat still, but on the ground. 

[Handy Don 12,225]

6 hours ago, kpinnc said:

 

I wouldn't wish injury on anyone. That being said, I imagine someone holding the clutch down, tractor full throttle and in 3rd gear, adjusting the seat RIGHT OFF THE BACK OF THE TRACTOR!!!. Tractor takes off, sans seat, leaving the driver sitting on the seat still, but on the ground. 

I agree, this would be hilarious as a Benny Hill sketch or as a cartoon! 

[kpinnc 12,028]

27 minutes ago, Handy Don said:

I agree, this would be hilarious as a Benny Hill sketch or as a cartoon! 

 

The one and only time that a WH owner appreciates the steering wheel being so hard to remove...