The Importance of a good seat for every farmer!

Most farms across Europe rely on a mix of tractors, both old and new. The statistical average age of tractors working on UK farms for example is 25 years old and this is pretty much the case in all countries. This is naturally a good thing, that these tractors remain useful for so long but it is very crucial that they are regularly serviced and repaired with new parts.

A key part of this routine is the seat.
Every day we at UnitedSeats receive photographs of tractors requiring new seats or new cushions.
In many cases we can tell immediately that the seat is way beyond safe or comfortable use. The key thing is that tractors (older ones in particular) have no suspension system and have solid tyres. This means that the only protection for the driver is through a good suspension seat. Typically, a standard suspension seat with a travel of 100mm will eliminate 70% of harmful vibrations.

As long as the seat is properly adjusted for the drivers weight it will immediately improve protection from nasty jolts and bumps across ploughed or rutted fields. Such vibrations cause severe back trouble and internal organ damage, and these require medical treatment or at best regular treatment by physiotherapists.

A seat like our CS85/H90 AR is a typical and very useful replacement seat for Classic tractors and retails at around €300 to €350. This is in keeping with the interior look of tractors from the 1980’s and 1990’s like the MF690 shown and will bolt directly into the cabin. Simple accessories like armrests also ease load and pressure on the body by 15%.

Also often overlooked is the state of the seat cushions which of course when torn and ripped make sitting uncomfortable but more dangerously harbour bad microbes that can cause skin related issues.
In the case that you have bad lower back problems drivers should be looking for seats like the CS85/C1 AR that offers and lumbar support features that can bolster comfort for the user’s lower back. This falls into the €350 – €400 price category.

Then if you are looking for full on solutions seats such as the Rancher and Rancher Pro air seats can provide much more instant weight adjustment, more ergonomic armrests and in the case of the Rancher Pro delightful heating elements to warm the back in cold conditions and also to considerably ease back related problems. These also have ergonomic features like the 20degree swivel to assist with activities such as ploughing but also ingress/egress. Air seats have the advantage of being ideal for tractors where there are various drivers as adjustments can be made more readily. These fall into €900 – €1300 price category but still in the scheme of things a small price to pay for health and safety.

UnitedSeats has a large international dealer network and all farmers and tractor franchises can easily access our extensive seat range.