Snowblowers and creepers

krhoover · #1 12-31-2011, 08:37 AM

While doing a search on snowblowers on here, I read one post that said something about if the tractor (a 122 I think) didn't have a creeper, you would be starting the tractor a lot. Any idea what that means. I have a blower I was going to put on a 122 and it dose'nt have a creeper. So, will I have problems using it?

Oak · #2 12-31-2011, 08:54 AM

The gearing isn't correct for using a blower or a tiller in a gear drive. I think 1st gear will be too fast when your running at WFO.

nikster · #3 12-31-2011, 09:03 AM

This subject matter is a bit confusing to me?

I have a #122 & am going with a snowthrower that was used on my # 109, That being stated;

What type of problem will occur if any?

Or, any tips or clues of what NOT TO DO?

Nik,

Oak · #4 12-31-2011, 09:26 AM

Nik, I don't know much about snow blowers....they never really were a big hit here in the south.

A hydro tractor is the only way to go with a blower like your 109. Using a gear drive and you'll be riding the clutch to adjust for proper speed.

R Bedell · #5 12-31-2011, 09:28 AM

I have never used the IH snowthrowers on a gear drive tractor.

There are a lot of variables when using these snowthrowers. The depth (or amount) of snow, the type of snow (wet or dry), full swath or partial, and the speed as which one feeds the auger, and ambient temperature.

I have noticed that with my hydro's, there are times when I crawl to feed the auger and then there are times I can move right along. It just depends on the above variables. This is where a hydro drive comes in handy, you simply adjust the forward speed to accommodate the conditions.

krhoover · #6 12-31-2011, 10:02 AM

So, would setting the idle lower help. I know they run cooler a full throttle, but the air temp would be cooler, or would there just not be enough power at a lower throttle? How much slower is creeper than 1st gear, half?

R Bedell · #7 12-31-2011, 10:28 AM

You want to keep the throttle at wide open to "throw the snow".

Matt G. · #8 12-31-2011, 02:19 PM

Roland is correct; the most effective way to use the snowthrower is to keep it full. This happens when it has enough snow in it to make the engine tug on the governor, but without dragging the engine speed down. This requires near constant variation of the groundspeed, which is neither easy nor fun with a gear drive tractor.

I threw snow with a 128 with creeper once, and will never use a snowthrower on a gear drive ever again. If the snow is thick, 1st with the creeper engaged will barely be slow enough, and every time you want to back up, you have to go from low to high on the creeper (if you don't want to spend all day backing up) and then back to low again to go forward. You spend all your time shifting.

The engine needs to be run at wide-open throttle under load, regardless of ambient temperature. There wouldn't be enough power at low RPM, anyway.

Moral of the story: It's a lot easier and less frustrating to throw snow with a hydro.

brentwd · #9 12-31-2011, 05:41 PM

I have a 102 and I installed a creeper on it just for that reason. First and low was just fast enough and you could upshift if needed. Any slower and you will have to press the clutch in alot. That gets tiring, especially since mine has a heavy spring in the clutch. Try to find a creeper and you will be happier. Hope this helps

EricR · #10 12-31-2011, 06:20 PM

I have been using a 102 with a creeper since 1980 or so and can tell ya that it does take a little longer and a little more skill than a hydro tractor but till you just learn what to do when (depending on snow conditions) I can throw snow just about as fast with an old gear drive, just my