How uncomfortable are the old M pipe seats?

Just a curiosity, I'm thinking of changing over to the old style just to give my 'M' a more vintage look. It's not like I'll be on it 12 hours a day like the oldtimers. So I'm willing to sacrifice comfort for the retro look. I've already changed over to the early style front hubs, steering wheel, and the early style fat filter housing. The pipe seat would complete the package. I think (and this is just me) that the early Ms have more charactor like the regulars, f-20s, 30s etc. do. (more closely related)

TIA
Patrick
'49M
 
Comfort was some what comparable, the issue was the pivot wore out allowing the seat to wobble left to right. A pipe seat with a reinforced pivot would be OK. I would use a shock absorber on it, as that single spring could rebound rather abruptly. Jim
 
They definately leave alot to be desired. The pivot having
slop in it makes it alot worse. Ive been thinking of replacing
mine for years.
 
I am with Jim on this.

For show,it would be cool.If you were REALLY using
it and hit a HARD bump,I could see a slight
"catapult" effect. lol

You know there HAD to be a reason Monroe came out
with that Comfort ride seat with the shock. ;)
 
I kind of liked those seats when in good condition. Good spring with the nuts free to adjust it to operater weight helps. Not hard to repair the slop in them if you can weld. Used one for years with a shock attachment on the rear of the seat.
 
having spent a good amount of time on a pivot seat with a bad shock absorber - I can tell you that rebound effect is something to seriously consider.

Hit a good bump while in 5th gear and things can move a little past "fun".
 
I had a 46 H with a pipe seat, had to "bush" the pivot point, no more side sway. I would not say it is quite as comfortable as a "Super" style battery box seat, but with a tie on or snap on seat cushion on top of the upholstered original seat pan, you will find it quite comfy. Adjust the spring to give just an inch or so when your weight is on it, and the bumps will be manageable.
 
I had one on my H for a year or so. It was comfortable enough, but
not nearly as cushioned as a Monroe seat. I took it off in July
because I had a 3 point hitch to put on the tractor and the pipe was
in the way of one piece of the frame when it was lifted. I really
liked the little toolbox on the pipe, it was a handy place to put
things.
Zach
 
I never had any other style seat on my M or my H tractors, I use my H daily for everything from cutting,raking and baling to moving manure and brush hogging, yeah it does those things so before some says it cant ,dont tell my tractor it cant. The seat is comfy enough for me.
 
comfort is a relative thing, the old M seat isnt going to ride like a air ride seat in a big rig, but as i remember the seat on the old M of grandpa's was a lot easier riding than my factory seat on my ford jubilee, shoot my '49 cub rides easier than that ford does
 
I can tell you from many years running H's and M's with both the old curved pipe seats and the newer Monroe type seats that there is no comparison. The older seat was sprung only and would pitch you against the wheel and bottom hard both...and I only weighed 150-160 lbs. in those days. The later one didn't pitch you forward because of the shock absorber. Really you should stick with the type seat that came originally with your tractor. If you want an old early model tractor, get that, if you want a later one, get that, but don't "dork 'em up" with a lot of unoriginal stuff. JMHO, you understand.
 
Well, it seems the pipe seats aren't as uncomfortable as I imagined. That's nice to know. Anyone know of one that's been discarded gathering dust and cobwebs in someone's junk pile? I would sure make use of it.
I know my junk pile of discarded M parts is starting to grow. I plan to take it all to the next swap meet that comes up here in the south Texas area.
Email me at [email protected] if you do. As the old saying goes: Someone's junk is someone else's treasure.
Thanks guys for your opinions. Very helpful.

Patrick
'49M
 
Ah,the good old "Kidney Buster".Always could tell how much plowing a H or M did by how much these seats leaned to the right (Furrow) side.There was an aftermarket shock absorber unit sold for these seats,had a couple of them over the years.I have a couple of these pipe seats here,you are in Maryland?Complete with good seat pan,toolbox,spring.Look for wear in the area where the seat pan pivots back as well.
 
Maryland? Not really. I'm way down here in south Texas. That's a far reach. Would you by some chance know of anyone traveling down this way any time whenever? The seat could hitch a ride with them. Just a thought. I have a niece living in Dallas. That's a little bit closer to you.

It seems that the majority of all the Ms and their salvaged parts are up in the northern part of the country. Lots and lots of green down here, but very little red. Very frustrating to say the least.

Thanks Gimpy.

Patrick
'49M
 
I use my Farmall M all the time. It does ten and twelve hour days in the Summer cutting, raking and baling hay. Original seat in place. I don't find it very uncomfortable, but then I probably just don't know any better because it has always been like that. Hitting a hole or bump in 5th is not fun, but then it isn't much better on the newer seat either. I personally would not be worrying about changing it.
SadFarmall
 
Happy days are here again. I have struck gold! All of a sudden it's raining pipe seats on me. It's either feast or famine as the old saying goes. Found 2 for 40 bucks up in the Waco area. (Thanks Craigslist.) It's about 3 hours north of me, but I don"t mind, considering what I'm getting. It's a nice scenic drive up old US 77 anyway.
The man said he has lots of other parts. So I'll be doing more shopping when I get there. Hope he's got some belt pulley gear boxes. That's my other major item I need to get. Christmas done come early for me this year.
Life is good. Now I'll let this thread fade away.

Patrick
'49M
 
I've spent many days on both types of seat. There's no doubt that the shock-absorber type is more comfortable, but you're not going to suffer on the original seat, either. Go for it in the name of authenticity! So many tractors were modified over the years--often for very good and practical reasons--that it is great to see an authentic model.
 
(quoted from post at 09:49:32 12/03/12) I've spent many days on both types of seat. There's no doubt that the shock-absorber type is more comfortable, but you're not going to suffer on the original seat, either. Go for it in the name of authenticity! So many tractors were modified over the years--often for very good and practical reasons--that it is great to see an authentic model.

Put the best seat on it you can afford, you only have one back.

Rick
 

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