Are seats a part of your regularly scheduled maintenance checks? The seat is one of the most overlooked parts on equipment when going through safety and maintenance checks. Checking the wear and tear of the equipment’s seat should be a part of the regularly scheduled maintenance check. Depending on usage a standard seat can last from a year to a decade.

How do you know if the seat needs to be replaced? Use your eyes and conduct a visual inspection. External wear and tear is easy to spot; torn, peeling or worn fabric is an obvious indicator that it's time for a replacement. 

However, if you are not the one in the hot seat all day the easiest way to determine if the seat needs replaced is to consult with the operator. A worn or broken seat will cause discomfort. If your operator is complaining about pain, it's time to replace your seat.

Now that you've determined that it's time to replace your seat, how do you choose a replacement? You can simply replace your current seat with the exact same model or find an upgraded version. Below are a few things to consider when choosing your next seat.

Operator Comfort:

Air-Type Suspension - These seats will absorb the majority of shock and vibration produced by the machine so it isn't transferred to the operator.

Ergonomic Design - Ergonomic seats are designed to offer maximum comfort. 

Seat Cover Material - You can choose a seat covered in vinyl or cloth. Vinyl seats are good for outdoor applications because they're resistant to moisture and humidity while cloth may be better indoors. Vinyl is easier to maintain and clean because it doesn't stain, but cloth is more durable and breathable in hotter environments.

Safety Features:

Built-in Seatbelt - A built-in seatbelt ensures that your operator is always belted in when operating the machine.

Safety Switch - This safety feature prevents the machine from being operated if someone isn't in the seat.

Not every seat is created equal. We carry a wide range of quality seats from the top brands in the industry including Grammer, HO Bostrom, Sears, Michigan and of course TotalSource®. Choose from suspension and non-suspension versions in a myriad of designs including single-piece, hinge back, wingback and more. Don’t need the entire seat, no problem we also offer a large selection of quality replacement seat back or bottom cushions. Ready to invest in a new more comfortable seat? Head on over to our e-commerce site to browse our offering today!