If you've spent any time mowing lately and noticed your back is aching, it's probably time to look for a new john deere la105 seat. Let's be honest, those yellow seats are iconic, but they aren't exactly built to last forever. After a few seasons of baking in the sun and getting jumped on by the kids (or just supporting us through long Saturday afternoons), the vinyl starts to give up the ghost.
I've seen plenty of LA105s that still run like a champ, but the seat looks like it's been through a war zone. You've probably seen the same thing: cracks that pinch your legs, foam that stays wet for three days after a light rain, and that annoying yellow tape trying to hold the whole thing together. It's not just about looks, though. A busted seat makes a chore feel like a punishment.
Why the LA105 Seat Usually Falls Apart
The John Deere LA105 is part of that classic 100 series that a lot of us have in our sheds. It's a workhorse, but the original equipment seat was designed more for cost-effectiveness than for surviving twenty years of UV exposure. The vinyl is stretched over a molded foam base, and over time, that vinyl loses its flexibility.
Once you get that first little hairline crack, it's all over. Moisture gets into the foam, and that's when things get gross. You sit down, the foam compresses, and suddenly your pants are damp because the seat "remembered" the rain from Tuesday. Plus, once the foam starts breaking down, you're basically sitting on the metal or plastic frame. If your lower back starts complaining after twenty minutes of cutting grass, the seat is the first place you should look.
Should You Go OEM or Aftermarket?
When you start looking for a john deere la105 seat, you're going to run into two main camps: the official John Deere parts and the aftermarket stuff you find all over the internet.
The official John Deere replacement is great because you know it fits. You don't have to worry about drilling holes or wondering if the seat safety switch will plug in correctly. It's going to have that exact shade of "John Deere Yellow" that matches the rest of your machine. The downside? It's usually more expensive. You're paying for the peace of mind and the logo on the back.
On the other hand, the aftermarket options have come a long way. You can often find a "high-back" version of the seat that fits the LA105, which is a massive upgrade in comfort. The LA105 originally came with a medium-back seat, so moving up to a taller one feels like trading in a stool for a recliner. Just make sure you double-check the bolt pattern. Most of these seats use a standard mounting system, but it's worth spending five minutes with a tape measure before you hit "buy."
The Seat Safety Switch Factor
One thing people often forget when swapping their john deere la105 seat is the safety switch. That's the little sensor that kills the engine if you hop off while the blades are spinning. On the LA105, this is usually a simple plug-and-play deal.
If you buy a cheap, generic seat, it might not have the cutout or the mounting point for your original switch. If you can't mount the switch, you're looking at either a dangerous bypass (don't do that) or a seat that won't let the mower start. Most LA105-specific replacements—even the non-Deere ones—have the cavity for the switch already molded in. Just pop the old one out of your cracked seat and click it into the new one.
The 10-Minute Install
Replacing the seat on an LA105 is one of the easiest DIY jobs you can do on a tractor. You don't need a full toolbox or a degree in mechanical engineering. Most of the time, it's just a matter of flipping the seat up, removing a couple of bolts or pins, and sliding the old one off.
Before you toss the old seat in the trash, take a look at the mounting bracket. Sometimes the hardware gets a bit rusty, especially if the mower lives outside. It's a good idea to hit those bolts with a little bit of WD-40 or similar lubricant a few minutes before you start. Once the bolts are out, the seat should lift right off.
When you're putting the new john deere la105 seat on, try to line it up so it's straight before you tighten everything down. Most brackets have a little bit of "play" in them so you can slide the seat forward or backward depending on how long your legs are. It's the perfect time to dial in your driving position.
Is a Seat Cover Worth It?
Maybe your seat isn't totally shredded yet, but it's getting there. Or maybe you just want to protect a brand-new one. A seat cover is a solid middle-ground option.
A good cover adds a bit of extra padding, which is always welcome, and it usually has pockets on the back. Having a place to put a water bottle or a pair of work gloves is surprisingly handy. It's also way cheaper than a full replacement. However, if your seat is already "leaking" water from the foam, a cover is just a Band-Aid. It might keep your pants dry for a bit, but that moisture is still trapped inside, rotting the foam and the seat base.
If you decide to go with a cover, look for one made of heavy-duty fabric rather than thin polyester. You want something that can handle you sliding on and off the mower without ripping.
Caring for Your New Seat
Once you've got that fresh, bright yellow john deere la105 seat installed, you probably want it to stay looking good. The biggest enemy here isn't your weight; it's the sun. UV rays turn that flexible vinyl into brittle plastic.
If you have to park your mower outside, try to throw a tarp over it or at least flip the seat forward. When the seat is flipped up, the vinyl is protected from direct sunlight, and rain will run off the back rather than pooling in the center. It's a tiny habit that can add years to the life of the seat.
Also, give it a quick wipe-down every now and then. Dirt and grit act like sandpaper when you're shifting around while mowing. A simple damp cloth is usually all it takes to keep the vinyl from wearing down prematurely.
Final Thoughts on Upgrading
At the end of the day, your john deere la105 seat is one of the most important parts of the machine because it's your primary interface with the mower. You can have a perfect engine and razor-sharp blades, but if you're miserable while sitting on it, you're going to hate mowing the lawn.
Whether you go for a fancy high-back aftermarket seat or stick with a standard OEM replacement, the difference will be night and day. You'll stop dreading the bumps in the yard and start enjoying the ride again. It's one of those rare repairs that you can feel immediately—and your back will definitely thank you for it.
So, stop staring at that duct tape and just get a new one. It's a small investment that makes a huge difference in how you feel on a Saturday morning. Plus, there's nothing like the look of a clean, un-cracked seat to make an old LA105 look like it just rolled off the showroom floor.