I hope you enjoyed the first installment of How to Choose Your Ideal Offroad Seat where we talked in detail about suspensions. There are many varieties of suspensions available so the choices can be overpowering. The same can be said when we get to seat tops. The types of seat tops are more limited, but all of the features found on the seat top seem endless. The features, in fact, we will discuss in future posts. To include all of these in one post would make for a lot more reading so let’s focus on just the seat top this round.
The seat top plays a key role in the operators comfort within the seat. This is, in the end, the operator’s direct contact with the seat. And we all want to be comfortable. Which is exactly why Grammer’s slogan is Comfort That Never Quits.
Now, let’s talk about seat tops.
High Backs:
The first type of seat top we will discuss is a high back, mostly used in applications like big construction equipment (wheel loaders, excavators, ADTs, etc) and larger harvesting equipment (like combines or sprayers). A high back seat top is exactly as it is described – quite high reaching to most average operators shoulders. A headrest can be additional which then helps support the head.
High back seat tops can come with a variety of cover materials – cloth, vinyl, leather, cut and sew where a combination of multiple materials may be used. This is all preference to the operator or the environment of the cab. If the machine has an open station, you likely would prefer vinyl so it doesn’t get wet and can withstand the weather. A closed station machine like a combine or larger tractor will likely include cloth. Leather is generally a specific user choice, which is become much more popular in large agricultural equipment. Cut and sew covers are quite popular in the turf market where the seat is very visible on the machine adding to its aesthetics. Millions of combinations of colors and materials can be chosen with cut and sew which makes it very appealing for those who want to differentiate their brand from the competition.
In the world of Grammer, high back seat tops can come in the 700 series or 500 series product lines but are most used in the 700 series. There are three varying widths in the 700 series range with which to choose:
- 722 – This seat top is the most narrow measuring at 18.9 in. in width. This narrow seat top makes cabs with less space accessible but still providing the support of a high back seat top.
- 732 – The mid-width seat top measuring at 20.8 in. This is a very popular seat top as the seat cushion becomes both thicker and wider.
- 742 – The widest seat top measures at 21.6 in. This lazy boy feeling seat top provides the widest option but also the thickest cushion.
Sculpted bolstering contours on both the seat and back cushions are designed to keep you in place where you can maintain the best posture and keep safely secured in the seat. An optimum, appropriate work environment keeps drivers healthy and motivated, in addition to helping them concentrate.
Low Backs:
Low back seat tops are used widely in applications like tractors, golf course mowers, zero turn mowers, forklifts, backhoes, and the list goes on. A low back seat top falls around the mid back of most average operators. A backrest extension can be additional which then helps support the neck and head.
Low back seat tops can also come with a variety of cover materials like mentioned above in high backs. Any combination of materials and colors listed above can also be applied in low back versions.
Low back seat tops can come in the 700 series or 500 series product lines. There are three varying widths in the 700 series range with which to choose:
- 721 – This seat top is the most narrow measuring at 18.9 in. in width. This narrow seat top makes cabs with less space accessible
- 731 – The mid-width seat top measuring at 20.8 in. This is a very popular seat top as the seat cushion becomes both thicker and wider.
- 741 – The widest seat top measures at 21.6 in. This lazy boy feeling seat top provides the widest option but also the thickest cushion.
In addition, the 500 series lines are very popular on the MSG65 and MSG75 suspensions, especially in turf and forklift applications. The widths are mentioned below:
- 511 – This is the most narrow 500 series seat top which only measures at 16.7 in. This seat top is really useful in very small work spaces like vineyard tractors.
- 521 – The 521 seat top is commonly used in Europe. It measures at 18.5 in. in width.
- 531 – This seat top was designed specifically for the North American market. It has the widest, softest set of cushions in this series. The width measures at 20.3 in.
Seat tops generally come standard with options like fore/aft adjustment and lumbar support. Both of these features make adjusting to your body type and comfort levels user-specific. The fore/aft adjustment feature allows you to move your seat top forward and back allowing for shorter or taller operators to reach the machine controls. The lumbar support is also a key piece. This can be modified to vary the stiffness or softness within the back cushion to your preference. Lumbar is great to modify throughout a long work day to keep you focused and comfortable while working.
So take a moment for your health and prevent problems by correctly adjusting your seat: it will take a load off you and your back. In the long term, it will pay off for everyone concerned. Adjust your seat to a comfortable, safe position for driving. Also make a big effort to regularly vary your posture within the sensible adjustment range.
This information will hopefully help you make a decision in your next seat buying process.
Please visit the blog soon to find additional posts on seat functions beyond the suspension and seat top. Please visit our website at www.usa.grammer.com or contact us on https://usa.grammer.com/usa/contact-us.html to find out more.