How to make a Cat seat

This post is lifted from my D2X3? thread, because I thought there might be some Cat folks who would like to build a seat but aren't looking at D2 threads.

It was messy weather today, so I worked on my new seat cushion.

An earlier visit to the local thrift store's Dumpster yielded a foam cushion and the Z-springs from an easy chair. I broke the wood that held the springs such that the wood came with the springs so I could salvage the mounting clips and reuse them.

The foam was 27" wide so that's how wide I made the seat. The D2 seat sides are about 30-1/2" apart, and while my cushion will leave and inch and a half or so at the sides, it will be much easier to lift out than if it filled the space.

I made a hardwood and plywood base to mount the springs on and cut the springs to fit with their natural upward arch. The plywood bottom is drilled to locate on the two pegs in the D2's seat frame.
[attachment=20755]104_4532.JPG[/attachment][attachment=20756]104_4533.JPG[/attachment] I wanted the springs because even though I am lean, I have "bottomed out" on too many seats to want to do it again. There's no photo, but I covered the springs with some of the fabric from the original chair cushion and stapled it to the top edges between the spring clips. The idea was to protect the foam from the springs.

I had earlier ordered two yards of black "Oxen" vinyl fabric from http://www.onlinefabricstore.net/m_homepage.aspx It was about $7.70 per yard. After I make the back and side cushions I will have a lot left.

I just wrapped the cushion the way I would a package, pulling each edge to stretch it a little and stapled the vinyl to the bottom.[attachment=20757]104_4535.JPG[/attachment]

Nicely done! How does it sit?

It sits very nicely. I could wish the foam were just a little firmer, but it's vastly better than a wooden box!

Very nice job.I need to shop better as I just purchased some material to repair some of my seats and payed a lot more per yard.But I will not use black as on a 100 degree day you will come off it faster than you got on it.
Ray

[quote="Ray54"]Very nice job.I need to shop better as I just purchased some material to repair some of my seats and payed a lot more per yard.But I will not use black as on a 100 degree day you will come off it faster than you got on it.
Ray[/quote]

IF I had to use this useful toy on a day that hot, I'd turn the seat upside down while off the tractor and turn it back to get on, at which time, my old carcass would shade the seat. 😉

My source did have the material in other colors. White would be cooler, but would soon take an "earth" tone, if you get my drift.