Which is the best suspension seat?

[dirter]

Hello members,
I am a new member here and so far have learned a couple neat things so far, thanks.
Now to my question. I am about to buy a Ferris IS 3000ZX and trade in my Bob-cat ZT 219. My reasons are two fold, I need a bigger mower and my bad back is asking for some suspension. I would like to add a suspension base to the Ferris delux seat or replace it with a suspended seat. I have seen pictures of the spring adder offered by Exmark and it is apealling since it would allow me to keep the lumbar support seat but I know very little else about it. Have any of you tried it?
would scrapping the Ferris seat for another brand suspension seat be better? if so, which seat out there is best?

Thanks, Dirter.

Oh, I mow about 30 acres.

[MAD MOWERS]

Seat

Dirter,

I to have the same problem with the back. We run a 3000ZX and as I have stated on this forum I can mow all day and still walk at night using the Ferris deluxe seat. We just came back from the Louisville show and I rode most of the mowers there. One seat that did empress me was the highly adjustable seat that Gravley had on their 3 wheel mower (HD30), This seat was real good!
Try riding the Ferris seat for a while and see how it does. Most of these seat's are costly and you might be able do just fine without changing seats. Also back the spring settings down on the front of the 3000 shocks and see if that helps. It's just like the shock settings on a lot of motorcycles. Good Luck!

[dirter]

Thank you both for the advise. I just made my deal for the Ferris ZX today and should have it delivered Friday. If the rain holds off I will be able to try it this weekend in one of my bumpier fields. I'll let you know how it feels.
Oh, I've been a dirt biker and ATV rider since I was 4 years old so I know exactly what you mean for adjusting the front shocks.

[MAD MOWERS]

Good Show! Let us know how you come out. Also some good info. in the owners manual on spring settings.

[dirter]

Seat update

Greatings mow people,
Well I was hoping to be able to get a little more time in the saddle before I gave you all an update but alas, the grass has stopped growing. I guess first things first, I did get my Ferris IS 3000X. I had a chance to spend about 2 1/2 hours on it before I did any modifications and I'll tell you what, that thing is nice. Even without a suspended seat the ride was much better than my Bob-Cat was. I love it. I have been tinkering with it ever since. I did get and install the $200 Exmark suspension kit (it took a little bit of fabrication but no big deal) for the seat which you can see here: http://www.exmark.com/pdfs/customride.pdf
I have only been able to run around in the back yard a bit but it seams like it made a 100% improvement in the already nice ride. I litterally float now. I have also installed a 1500 lb. electric winch on the front (have you ever gotten stuck in the mud a half mile from the nearest helper? I have. Not fun.) and am currently working on setting up an electric actuator to raise and lower the deck. I have designed all the brackets which are being fabricated in my shop and have the actuator on order. All should be in and installed in 3 weeks or so. My next step will be to come up with a brake peddle in place of the deck lift peddle. I just hate having to disengage the blades and set the parking brake just to clip a branch or adjust my hat if I'm on a hill. I'll give you another update when it's complete and post a picture for you to see.
Until then, happy leafing,
Dirter

[MAD MOWERS]

I would bet that 1500# winch helped smooth the ride a lot. We put the leaf system on ours last week and the 100# weights and dump box on the back made a major difference in the ride. I may leave one 50# weight on the mower after leaf season just to check out the ride.

Drop about 3# out of the Drive tires, from 18# to 15#, much lower and the machine gets a "sluggish" feel when turning.

Congrat's dirter! sounds like you are getting it set up just right.

[dirter]

almost done

Well for those still interested, I am almost done with the modifications to my Ferris. I still have to come up with the brake peddle and I think I'm going to have to change the geometry of the deck lifting arm a little bit. I have some pictures here: http://home.earthlink.net/~dirter/im...d%20Ferris.htm
Give it a little time if you're on dialup, the page has six pictures and a total of about 560K. What do you think?

Dirter

[MAD MOWERS]

Well it's like some other things in life, It won't come up!

[65hoss]

Greatings mow people,
I did get and install the $200 Exmark suspension kit (it took a little bit of fabrication but no big deal) for the seat which you can see here: http://www.exmark.com/pdfs/customride.pdf
I have only been able to run around in the back yard a bit but it seams like it made a 100% improvement in the already nice ride. I litterally float now. Dirter

I'm kinda partial to this one myself.

[dirter]

Mad Mower,
Give it at least a minute. I was able to open the link on my computer at work so I think it should work for others.

Others,
Have you been able to open the link to the pictures?

Dirter

[dem]

Pics came right up for me....

[CleanEdge]

Pics worked fine, interesting idea about the winch.