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Tractor seats for heave...

Discussion in 'DIY Motion Simulator Building Q&A / FAQ' started by Archie, Dec 2, 2015.

  1. Archie

    Archie Eternal tinkerer

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    I've been toying with the thought of using the suspension seats they use on Tractors and Farm vehicles for Heave. They are spring loaded for a fair bit of movement up and down.

    Anyone ever tried one of these for a Motion Sim?

    (Of course, seat would be removed for a proper race seat.)
    s-l500.jpg
    • Creative Creative x 1
    Archie, Dec 2, 2015
    #1
  2. mariano68

    mariano68 Active Member

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    Depending on the costs, it would be nice to try.
    mariano68, Dec 2, 2015
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  3. noorbeast

    noorbeast VR Tassie Devil Staff Member Moderator Race Director

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    noorbeast, Dec 2, 2015
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  4. RacingMat

    RacingMat Well-Known Member Gold Contributor

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    RacingMat, Dec 2, 2015
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  5. shannonb1

    shannonb1 Well-Known Member

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    I like it however I think the only issue is you are going to be changing the weight position for your two rear actuators as you move your center of gravity higher by raising the chair. This could cause some stress on the gear box and affect your motion.
    • Agree Agree x 1
    shannonb1, Dec 2, 2015
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  6. noorbeast

    noorbeast VR Tassie Devil Staff Member Moderator Race Director

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    You actually don't need a huge amount of heave axis movement to make a huge difference to how heave feels, mine is up to 100mm and the changing COG does not seem to affect the gearboxes, but mine is a spring assisted traditional 3DOF design.

    My knee assist spring does travel through a small arc and that does affect movement, though in setting up the motion profiles you can actually exploit it to advantage. For example for surge I pitch up on the heave motor and pitch down on the front motors which actually pushes you slightly forward in the harness an creates tactile pressure in the small of your back.
    noorbeast, Dec 2, 2015
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  7. bsft

    bsft

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    Why not use some dayton pucks or some bass shaker? Saves a lot of hassle and you get shaken up.
    moving the seat up and down moves weight balance and for correct setup, springs can soften motion .
    @SeatTime has a great idea of a motor and a plate right under the seat of his. Maybe he can link in for us.
    bsft, Dec 2, 2015
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  8. noorbeast

    noorbeast VR Tassie Devil Staff Member Moderator Race Director

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    noorbeast, Dec 2, 2015
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  9. mariano68

    mariano68 Active Member

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    Sorry for the off topic, but I really like to see the build log of this sim cause I like the heave:
    mariano68, Dec 2, 2015
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  10. Archie

    Archie Eternal tinkerer

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    Nice use of leverage in that video. Good concept as it takes the strain off the motor. Just like moving a massive boulder with a tree branch, much easier if used as a lever.
    • Agree Agree x 1
    Archie, Dec 3, 2015
    #10
  11. shannonb1

    shannonb1 Well-Known Member

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    yes but look at the height that those seats would need to move
    shannonb1, Dec 3, 2015
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  12. noorbeast

    noorbeast VR Tassie Devil Staff Member Moderator Race Director

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    Do you mean the photos @RacingMat added...they are designed for a different purpose so if using something like that then you would not necessarily plan to use the full axis movement.

    My comments related to my heave setup and what I have experienced regarding COG changes and motor stress.
    noorbeast, Dec 3, 2015
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  13. SeatTime

    SeatTime Well-Known Member

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    SeatTime, Dec 3, 2015
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  14. noorbeast

    noorbeast VR Tassie Devil Staff Member Moderator Race Director

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    • Agree Agree x 1
    noorbeast, Dec 3, 2015
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  15. Historiker

    Historiker Dramamine Adict Gold Contributor

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    Hmm.....I might have to rob the seat assembly off of my tractor and give this a try.... ;)
    • Funny Funny x 2
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    Historiker, Dec 5, 2015
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  16. mariano68

    mariano68 Active Member

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    I did some research...
    You can get this kind of hydraulic or pneumatic bases for seats alone, I will call next wednesday to get a quote (no labor days monday and tuesday here)
    base neumatica2.jpg base nuematica.jpg suspension asiento.jpg


    Also, and on the cheap and maybe funny side (I think) you can get other kind of bases ready for heave:
    suspension asiento1.jpg suspension asiento2.jpg :p
    • Like Like x 2
    mariano68, Dec 6, 2015
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  17. mariano68

    mariano68 Active Member

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    Nobody tried this for heave assist? [​IMG]
    mariano68, Dec 10, 2015
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  18. Archie

    Archie Eternal tinkerer

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    I'm happy to report that these seats will indeed work well for Heave. I took the plunge and bought one from Ebay. Thankfully, it actually arrives with the seat in pieces so it's easy to see the mechanism and how it works.

    The only drawback is the weight of the base is very heavy. It's plate steel. I may need to look at a making a different enclosure. I guess the upside is that it will cope with the forces of the sim in a lateral sense.

    When sat on the seat it actually needs very little pressure to make the seat "pop up". I can sit my 100kg self on it and push up with my fingers from the ground. The Motor will easily cope with that.

    The question now is, do I set the heave for the midpoint of the seats neutral movement, so I can have + and - heave sensation, or just set to the lowest, so it's always an upward movement?

    Edit: I'll post more details once I install it on the Sim (over Xmas if Santa will let me!) :D
    • Like Like x 4
    • Winner Winner x 1
    Archie, Nov 28, 2017
    #18
  19. Historiker

    Historiker Dramamine Adict Gold Contributor

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    HA! Great ideal for heave. I never thought of it. I do have a seat exactly like that.....course it is bolted to the top of my Ford 5000 farm tractor.....
    • Like Like x 1
    Historiker, Nov 28, 2017
    #19
  20. Archie

    Archie Eternal tinkerer

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    Ford 5000 - Jeez.. Older than me that thing :)
    Archie, Nov 28, 2017
    #20