New seat for Dozer, need help

[GuglioLS]

Hi Guys,

I'm looking to get a new seat for my bulldozer.
So far the best candidates I've found are one of these three from Northern Tool:

Bostrom Viking "T" Bar _____Viking T Bar PDF parts list____Viking T Bar dimensions

Michigan Model# V-5200 ______ PDF of V-5200 page 20

Michigan Model# V-5300_____ PDF of V5300 page 15

Trouble is the nearest Norther tool is 900 miles from me in Houston, TX.

If anyone has a Northern Tool nearby and willing to go check them out and give me their opinion I would really appreciate that! That is if Northern has them on display in the brick and mortar stores.

What I'm looking for is:

1. Needs to fit between 23" width, WITH a retractable seat belt cartridge attached. The narrower the better so as to give me access to reach the OEM mounting base plate bolts.

2. No Armrests (already built into dozer)

3. Lots of spring suspension, at least 4"

4. Padding - is it thick / soft enough?

5. Adjustable fore and aft at least 4"

6. Height of seat cushion to mounting base in the range of 7" - 10" high.


I really like the Viking T Bar (first one listed above). Seat height at 9" is perfect, another plus is the 4" suspension range. But I'm afraid it's too wide to fit with a seat belt cartridge bolted on. Disadvantages are seat back is not adjustable and no adjustable Lumbar support.

The next choice Michigan Model# V-5200 looks good too. I really like the adjustable lumbar support and the seat back angle is adjustable. But I question the range of suspension and the seat height might be too low.

The last one, Michigan Model# V-5300 is a possibility if the arm rests can be removed. But then again I question it's range of suspension and it's overall height. Pluses are adjustable angle and lumbar support.

Budget is in the range of $400 or so. I could get an OEM suspension base from Komatsu but I'm afraid the four digit price tag for just the suspension base and base plate not to mention no seat included is outrageous!!!

Any guidance or suggestions on alternate seats are appreciated.

Thanks millions,

Larry

[bradblazer]

Larry,
Just saw your post. I can probably go by at lunch next week and see what they have in the store. It's nice the Northern site has reviews so you can at least get an idea of the comfort of the seats.

Trying to think of who else would sell them. Agri Supply has a few.
www.agrisupply.com/product.asp?pn=66549&sid=&eid=

Baileys
baileynet.com/index.php?id=31&productcategory=1000091

[GuglioLS]

Hi Brad,

Thanks for finding this and the offer to check out the seats.
I've been kind of out of touch lately with the death of my wife's sister, they were close and her passing this time of year is especially difficult.

If you have time one of these days to go check out the seats that would be great, you can give me a call or write your opinion here, whatever works for you.

Thanks,

Larry

[quikduk]

Larry,

I looked at the Michigan V5300 and the last one on Brad's Bailey link. Both are very good seats for the money and once my Jinma seat wears out, I will be getting one of these.

FWIW, it looks like either one has thermo-formed cusions with water drain holes and plenty of adjustments. I would think that the armrests can be removed. I believe the Michigan armrests flip up...but someone had to assemble it so they should come off...

This place has some nice seats...allthough some are PRICEY.

www.tractorseats.com/c-136-multi-purpose.aspx

www.tractorseats.com/c-145-multi-purpose.aspx

The KM 211 and 236 Uni Pro seats are nice.

...then there is the Komatsu air suspension seat...but it is around $740...but it is NICE!

www.tractorseats.com/p-50724-km-425-uni-pro-seatsuspension.aspx

...or how about the KM 117 (in yellow no less...)

www.tractorseats.com/p-50691-km-117-uni-pro-with-armrests.aspx

www.tractorseats.com/c-139-multi-purpose.aspx

www.tractorseats.com/c-70-general-purpose.aspx

This company has a slick website but you have to "request a quote". I hate that as it makes me think that they are expensive...or over priced.

www.industrialseats.com/

...anything worth doing is worth over-doing IMHO... ;D

[bradblazer]

Larry,
Very sorry to hear about your Sister-in-law.

I went to NT today and they didn't have any of the suspension seats in stock - sorry.

If it was me I would put comfort first and if the seat belt retractor made it too wide I would just go with a fixed length seat belt. For rough terrain I actually prefer fixed length.

[3RRL]

Yeah Larry,
Sorry to hear about Esther's sister.
What a bummer it is, especially around this time of year. Please accept our condolences and best wishes.
Sorry I'm of no help with the seat. There is no place around here to go and look at them. You remember that I bought a cheapo seat online from Agri-supple. I had to do a lot of modification to the base, but it turned out pretty good.
Good luck in finding one that meets your standards.
Rob-

[3RRL]

Hi Larry,
Just wondering if you made any progress with your choice of seats since we spoke last week?
I know you sister-in-law's passing brought everything to a halt. I hope everything is going well and back to normal soon.
Rob-

[GuglioLS]

Jan 21, 2010 20:46:03 GMT -5 3RRL said:

Hi Larry,
Just wondering if you made any progress with your choice of seats since we spoke last week?

Indeed I have,
5 months later my patients paid off. I scored a great deal off eBay for my first choice seat. I got the 450 dollar seat for 249 with a "best offer" (not the buy it now price).

First choice seat from northern tool

My eBay deal

It arrived quickly so I wasted no time getting the old one out and the new one in......






It just barely fit. I think it's got about 1/4" clearance on each side. Had to make a small bracket, drill and tap to relocate the retractable cartridge for the seat belt so it would fit the Dozer. But it all fits and is super comfortable. The back rest is a few inches taller with adjustable angle. The gas shock (see pics) absorbs all the jolts the Dozer over rocks can deliver. It has 4+ inches of suspension travel and is adjustable for the the riders weight, good thing too because I have lost 35#'s working out every day for the last 8 months. I'm really pleased with it and glad I held out for a quality suspension seat at a reasonable price.


Larry

[GuglioLS]

Oh forgot to mention the seat weights like 80 frigging pounds!!!

Larry

[red]

. . . . . It has 4+ inches of suspension travel and is adjustable for the the riders weight, good thing too because I have lost 35#'s working out every day for the last 8 months. I'm really pleased with it and glad I held out for a quality suspension seat at a reasonable price.


Larry[/quote]

Good for you on losing the weight! Good thing you put the seat belt back in or you might have been throw out since you became a lightweight! -Ed

[bradblazer]

Larry,
Nice score on the seat! That thing will be so comfy you'll end up dozing on the....well, dozer.

Congrats on getting in shape. I keep saying I will some day.

[quikduk]

DANG LARRY!!! You are so skinny now that you have to use a seat belt AND your leather belt to hold up your pants?!!!

Hi to Esther BTW...and the Viking seat looks great!

[bobrooks]

Larry'
I can personally vouch for the Bostrom Viking T-Bar seats. They were the trucking industry standard for many years. They make a beautiful air ride seat too. Glad to see you got such a great deal on a great seat.