What is the best tractor seat, air suspended or mechanical suspended?

Mechanical suspended tractor seat is robust and durable

Mechanical tractor seats have long been the standard option for first installation in tractors. A mechanical suspension seat is adjusted by means of manual buttons and levers, which allow the driver to control the suspension and position of the seat. A mechanical suspension seat is often robust and requires relatively little maintenance. The seat is also more cost-effective compared to its air-suspension counterpart.

Mechanical suspended tractor seat for short trips and limited cab space

On the other hand, a mechanical suspended tractor seat sacrifices suspension and seat comfort compared to an air-suspended tractor seat. This makes a mechanical suspended tractor seat more suitable for short journeys. Also if the mounting space in a cabin is limited, such as on small or somewhat older tractors, a mechanical suspended seat is usually installed. There is then simply not enough room for a slightly higher air-suspension seat.

Advantages of mechanical suspended tractor seats

The advantages of a mechanical suspended tractor seat at a glance:

• Durability: mechanical seats have fewer moving parts, resulting in reduced risk of wear and tear.

• Cost: these seats are generally more affordable to buy and maintain, appealing to farmers with limited budgets. Note that this does mean less suspension, which can make you more expensive in the end. More on this in the next paragraph on air suspension seats

• Easy to maintain: maintaining mechanical tractor seats is often easier and requires less specialised knowledge.

Air-suspended tractor seat: a comfortable seat on rough terrain

Air-suspended tractor seats use air to absorb shocks and vibrations. These seats automatically adjust to the movements of the tractor, providing a constant and comfortable seating position, even on uneven terrain.

Air-suspended tractor seat protects the body

Partly because of this, an air-suspended tractor seat is best suited for long days behind the wheel and working on rough terrain. It is sometimes wrongly thought that an air-suspended tractor seat is more expensive to buy than a mechanically suspended one: you get a lot more suspension in return, which you need to protect your body from shocks and vibrations.

Advantages of air-suspended tractor seat

The advantages of an air-suspended tractor seat at a glance:

• Comfort: air-suspended seats offer an unparalleled level of seating comfort, reducing fatigue, especially during prolonged operations.

• Automatic adjustment: the seat automatically adjusts to the movements of the tractor, maintaining a stable and comfortable seating position.

• Shock absorption: Air-suspended seats reduce the impact of shocks and vibrations, benefiting the driver's long-term health.

Air-suspended tractor seat with even more suspension

Depending on the terrain you drive a tractor on, you can choose to expand the suspension of an air-suspended tractor seat with horizontal and or/ lateral suspension. Whereas an air-sprung suspension absorbs vibrations and shocks in an upward and downward direction, a horizontal suspension does so forwards and backwards. A lateral suspension absorbs shocks in a diagonal direction.

Air-suspended tractor seat with automatic weight adjustment

Do several people use your tractor and do you want to fit an air-suspended tractor seat in it? Then consider choosing a seat with automatic weight adjustment. With the push of a button, you can set the right seat height and degree of cushioning for each user. Even if you are the only one using an air-suspended tractor seat, automatic weight adjustment is useful. Settings can change over time. Thanks to automatic weight adjustment, they are quickly up to date again.

Help to make a choice: ask EBLO's seating specialists for advice

The choice between a mechanical or air-suspension seat for a tractor depends on several factors, including budget, personal preference and the nature of the work. While mechanical seats are known for their durability and cost-effectiveness, air suspension seats offer unparalleled comfort and ergonomic benefits. It is important to consider both options and base the choice on what best suits your individual needs and working conditions. Finding it difficult to make a choice? EBO's seating specialists will be happy to help!