Convert Zero-Turn Mowers To Air Ride

Convert Zero-Turn Mowers To Air Ride HAY & FORAGE HARVESTING Mowers 38 “When my kids got older I took over mowing and realized how rough our Deere lawn tractor was ” says Richard Buehler who set out to develop an air-ride seat that he calls the ZTR Puffer “It took a while to find the right airbag I just remove the mechanical spring and installed the airbag on zero-turn mowers and lawn tractors ” He installed a small compressor and a control valve to adjust pressure Buehler was impressed enough with the way it worked that he invested in a patent for the idea Meanwhile he continued to use his prototype on his 455 Deere Initially he intended to license the air ride seat to a manufacturer “One manufacturer said it was a great idea but didn’t want to put one on until the competition did ” recalls Buehler He then took it to Auglaize Erie Machine New Bremen Ohio They added the finishing touches such as powder coating solid welded construction laser-formed 11-gauge steel body and a built-in safety valve to prevent overfilling They make and market the ZTR Puffer for Buehler “They’ve done a nice job with what I started ” he says “The kit has a mounting plate to fit different makes and models It’s a simple installation Any guy with a little mechanical ability could put one on in about half an hour ” Buehler reports the ZTR Puffer’s being used on everything from lawn tractors to Kubota compact tractors Buehler quotes one customer as saying he regularly mows a 5 to 6-acre lawn Before converting his zero-turn to the air ride seat he had to quit half way through and walk around “Now he mows the whole thing in one session ” says Buehler “One guy put one on his bass boat He said he had to get the air adjusted just right or a wake would launch him out of the boat ” When a 400-lb prospect asked if the ZTR Puffer would hold him Buehler assured him it would He would simply need to add more air pressure than a man who weighed 150 lbs The ZTR Puffer is currently priced at $399 00 Contact: FARM SHOW Followup ZTR Puffer 07148 Quellhorst Rd New Bremen Ohio 45869 ph 419 629-2825; info@ztrpuffer com; www ztrpuffer com

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