Inexpensive tractor seats

[Cuba Libre]

Its been a while since this subject was discussed. One to the posts (cant remember who) suggested looking at after market tractor seats. I finally got around to it. Island Tractor, the Courtenay Kuboda dealer stocks two cheap models. One that has black vinyl and the other that is two-tone blue and black. I chose the black as it was cheaper. The prices?? BARGOON! $112+tax for the black and around $135+tax for the 2 tone.

I gave the metal frame and base a couple of coats of Tremclad anti rust paint and changed the nickle plated bolts for stainless. Using the seat base (adjustable fore and aft) as a template, I drilled four bolt holes in the seatbox top. That was it!!

The suspension is one shock and two springs. The tension is adjustable for a person up to 250 lbs. Since I am approcahing that mammoth weight (235) I did bottom the seat out in about a 3 ft swell. Rides the chop very nicely-- just rides up and down with no jarring.

Only one issue that I have to deal with. The narrow base allows the seat to tilt side to side in a quartering sea. In time it could cause metal fatigue. The solution is simple, however. Bolt and weld two braces on the side of the suspension frame.

 

[Striper Sniper]

Nice, sure beats the crap out of those cheap Striper seats............. now if they made them in white.........

SS

 

[Sitkaspruce]

Looks good Bryan!!!!!

I will be down in the next little while and will stop by. I need at least one of those as the old back will not let me ride in the rough stuff any more.

Thanks for posting

Cheers

SS

 

[Cuba Libre]

When you come down Ken, I'll put the boat in the water and you can try the seat out. Days notice would help thou.....

 

[Gypseas]

For the price they work great and one could replace them every so often if they rusted beyond usage. Past one year and still looking good so no complaints.
cheers

I found mine needing some reinforcement

 

[TenMile]

I used the same seat base and figured out a way to mount my cushy white boat seat to the base. Basically made a mounting place out of 3/4" Starboard that bolted to the base and to the seat. Been using this suspension for about 18 months and would never go back. It's fantastic. I got mine from eBay -- I had ordered the black unit like you did, but when it arrived the seller sent a blue one. He offered to let me keep the blue seat and refunded $40 -- so including shipping I ended up paying $50 for it.

 

[Cuba Libre]

I like it-- I have been eyeballing mind to try to figure out how to do it... but it isnt simple from what I can see-- but I have no manufacturing skills!!!

 

[TenMile]

Well, I ain't exactly Tim-the-Toolman so if I can figure it out, anyone can . Basically, I cut a square piece of Starboard. The base of the suspension has 4 bolts and I drilled 4 holes in the Starboard base. My white boat seat also had a 4 bolt base with a different sized pattern. Also drilled 4 bolt holes for it. Bolted this new base to the seat, and then bolted the whole seat to the suspension mechanism. Works like a charm.

 

[Cuba Libre]

Thanks TenMile Sounds like phase deux plan .... I'll see how it works out!

Cheers
CL

 

[Fish Assassin]

Now what can I do? As I have a few extra pounds...Sure I could drop a couple pounds. But even CL bottomed his out and he is not 250#'s. Can you beef them up some how? or are there others out there?

 

[Sitkaspruce]

TenMile

Tim-the-tool man I am not either, but what is Starboard?? A type of metal or ???

Curious as this is what I need to set up in my boat.

Cheers

SS

 

[Dogbreath]

Starboard is the same stuff those white kitchen cutting boards are made from (+ or-).

Can be worked pretty much like wood and is impervious to moisture.

 

[Cuba Libre]

Industrial Plastics in Courtenay has it Ken

 

[Cuba Libre]

Now what can I do? As I have a few extra pounds...Sure I could drop a couple pounds. But even CL bottomed his out and he is not 250#'s. Can you beef them up some how? or are there others out there?

Dont laugh-- but I'll bet a couple of large doggie "Kongs" under the seat would work pretty good!!! but before I try that, I will see about attaching the original seats to the tractor frame . LOL!!

 

[Whole in the Water]

Trotac sells a hydraulic seat. More expensive then this tractor seat, but is a bigger, more robust unit made for marine use. Can't remember how much it is though.

 

[Whole in the Water]

Anybody tried out these seats on their boats?

http://www.princessauto.com/all-sea...032915-universal-tractor-seat-with-suspension

My back sure could use something like this.

 

[TenMile]

Yes, that is the same one I installed in the photos above. I removed their "seat" and used the suspension mechanism with my cushy white boat seat.

 

[Whole in the Water]

Thanks Ten Mile.

Anybody out there tried/have these seats? http://www.smoothmovesseats.com/products.html

More $ then the tractor seat option, but they are purpose built for boats and you can swivel them too.

 

[TenMile]

That's also the EXACT SAME unit except they've added the pedestal mount for an extra few hundred bones. I took the mount off my existing boat seat and modified it to fit the tractor seat suspension. I made a simple mount out of Starboard (could also use stainless or aluminum) with 8 bolts. Took me about an hour.

 

[TenMile]

The only thing to be mindful of here is that the unit is made of steel -- it's well painted but a couple of coats of rust paint and/or a heavy coat of WD40 would't hurt. It will rust if the paint is scratched or if there are parts of the surface that aren't protected.