Suspension seats | Myths vs Fact

September 17, 2019 Mining Editor

A suspension seat what’s the fuss…… right? After all most of us only sit in one all day in the office or have done or still operate machinery for a living so what’s the big deal! The answer is a lot, and if a seat is neglected all its life and finally needs replacing because it’s broken means the chances are high that you’ve already planted the seed for back injury later in life. 

Just as a car’s suspension bounces and absorbs vibration as you drive so does a suspension seat with many moving parts that work to reduce harsh conditions as they bounce and move up and down all day and all night. Like all moving parts they too wear out and stop working and as they are usually hidden from view the chances of you knowing about it only occur when things get bad or it’s too late (and you’re discussing compensation payouts).

Suspension seats are around in big numbers and many people seem to have some knowledge of the basic workings of seats but in reality when it comes to the right fit for the application or what options are available most simply don’t understand. These seats can cost anywhere from a few hundred dollars to over twenty thousand dollars, so it pays to talk to an expert. The right advice will save you a lot of time and money and the right seating maintenance schedule is critical to maintaining the balance. 

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So let’s answer some of the most common questions we get either in person or on site during seat maintenance and site inspections…. 

MYTH “I have to fit genuine seats” FACT No you don’t.

There are a lot of requirements involved to meet engineering design and the simple one is a seat should never be mounted to anything other than the original floor holes. With the right advice there are many improved options on offer.

MYTH Genuine seats are the best FACT No not always.

Those who decide what seats are fitted live in other countries far away from the real Australian operating conditions and the reality is we sometimes need a seat that is manufactured to carry 150-200KG and that’s difficult with many OEM seats. What we get is usually a nice fit for European conditions or other countries that simply aren’t as demanding on machinery as we are. There are many suitable replacement seats that offer higher weight carrying capacities and more features and are very suitable alternatives that don’t affect warranties, and a lot of these don’t require change management.

Old vehicle seating in heavy vehicles was prone to vibration and damage
Old vintage bus driver’s seats and dashboard

MYTH My seats can’t be fixed FACT Definitely not true.

The good brand seats today are actually designed to be repaired and we see these as common fit in many machines these days. Most times a seat can be repaired or rebuilt back to new operating condition at less than half the cost of the new seat with the right maintenance programs in place. We’ve got the proof to show how hundreds of thousands of dollars can be saved each year.

MYTH I must change my seat belts every three years FACT No you don’t.

There is no law that says this is a requirement but there are Australian and ISO standards that all seat belts must meet. However, it is a requirement that seat belts are inspected regularly for signs of deterioration and is best done when incorporated with seat repair scheduling. During seat audits, we inspect and report on the condition and suitability of all seat belts on site.

So what’s the answer………..

Have your seats inspected regularly. An effective seat maintenance program managed by our team of seating experts will save time and money, benefit your employees and your workplace health and safety. Speak to an expert today call 1300 064 456 or visit www.theseatshop.com.au

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