I won't tell you how much time and money I have spent to solve your problem. Initially I bought a ZT with no springs under the seat. Actually I have 2 that came like that (DR and Hustler). On the DR I ordered their $200 suspension seat which I tried for awhile but found that the springs were tougher than my back, even on the lowest tension setting.
I removed that and installed a pair of motorcycle air chambers...replace the spring(s) under the seat of a motorcycle. Added an old bottle used for oxygen for the small/portable Oxy-acet gas welders, with a gauge and shrader valve for filling. Problem with that was with the small volume, even with the tank, it had to be filled every time I wanted to use the mower.
Next came a set of Cub Cadet springs I accidentally came across going into a TSC store one day. The spring is used by CC and Troy built and available online from suitable parts aftermarket retailers. CC part number is 732-05182A. Cost about $6 and probably the best 6 bucks you ever spent. If you look at it and a (engine valve spring looking thing) spring on most mowers you can easily see how this is an easy riding spring. I have installed them on every piece of lawn mowing equipment I have including where I had the air bags on the DR..
Next came ATV tires, the ones where max psi is 5. On a light mower that I use for pond banks with snow studs, I run them at 2 psig. Nice and soft. On the larger/heavier machines I run them at 4 psig.
I bought a 24 hp compact tractor (Branson 2400) Jan. 2016 that was fitted out with industrial tires (12x16.5 6 ply), rears rated at 2300+# each at the rated 30 psig, The whole tractor weighs in at 1800+ plus loader so how is one to get a soft ride on a machine of that weight with a pair of tires rated for 5600+#? Not very easily.
Solution on that went through several iterations and the solution was 33x12.5-16.5 4 ply turfs on the rear, also rated for 2300+# but they were only 4 ply, still had a stiff sidewall and the balloon (volume of air the tire could hold) was larger allowing me to run them down around 8 psig rather than their rated 30 and get a softer ride. Then I added 50# weights to each rear and then added an additional 65# of weights to each wheel and still a rough ride.
Next on the 2400 came an air seat cushioning system (minus the seat....nothing wrong with my OEM seat itself) for $350 something rather than the $650+ you pay if you buy the whole seat and system. There is a little valve at the front whereby you turn on the 12vdc internal air compressor and set your resistance. All of that fixed my 2400.....cost? Tires were $600 for the pair (retail is over $600 each), seat $350, weights, $300 (because they were off specific tractors and old iron dealer thought that added value...which it did if you had a buyer for such).......looks like something over $1250.
Well guess what. The money is gone forever. I will probably have the tractor to enjoy forever. Money well spent for all of it and for my back and my peace of mine.......well worth it.
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Today's Featured Article - Old Time Threshing - by Anthony West. A lovely harvest evening late September 1947, I was a school boy, like all school boys I loved harvest time. The golden corn ripens well and early, the stoking, stacking,.... the drawing in with the tractors and trailers and a few buck rakes thrown in, and possibly a heavy horse. It would be a great day for the collies and the terrier dogs, rats and mice would be at the bottom of the stacks so the dogs, would have a busy time hunting and killing, all the corn was gathered and ricked in what we c
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