Creeper or underdrive?

[Tim.E]

I am planning a tractor build/mod with either 27" or 30" tall rear tires. Starting with a 128, I will use a 14hp engine with a Kevlar clutch and possibly a stiffer spring or just compress the spring a little. I am thinking that given the gear ratio change due to the tall tires, that in some situations I would be wishing I had a lower gear. One instance especially would be backing a trailer load of firewood. I can think of two options to remedy this, either a creeper gear or a 10% under-drive. The creeper gear would be in high range 99% of the time, very little use in low range. Would the creeper gear unit itself (used in high range 99% of the time) be strong enough to do heavy chores such as pulling a trailer load of firewood or pulling a grader blade? I have read that it is not recommended to use a creeper gear on a plow tractor, but does that mean not to use it in low range, or just not to use a creeper gear equipped tractor to plow at all even in high range. I guess what I am asking is,is the creeper gear a weak link even in high range? So would I be better of with a creeper gear or a 10% under-drive?

[CadetTY]

Originally Posted by Tim.E

I am planning a tractor build/mod with either 27" or 30" tall rear tires.Starting with a 128,I will use a 14hp engine with a Kevlar clutch and possibly a stiffer spring or just compress the spring a little.I am thinking that given the gear ratio change due to the tall tires,that in some situations I would be wishing I had a lower gear.One instance especially would be backing a trailer load of firewood. I can think of two options to remedy this,either a creeper gear or a 10% underdrive. The creeper gear would be in high range 99% of the time,very little use in low range.Would the creeper gear unit itself (used in high range 99% of the time) be strong enough to do heavy chores such as pulling a trailer load of firewood or pulling a grader blade? I have read that it is not recomended to use a creeper gear on a plow tractor,but does that mean not to use it in low range,or just not to use a creeper gear equipped tractor to plow at all even in high range.I guess what I am asking is,is the creeper gear a weak link even in high range?
So would I be better of with a creeper gear or a 10% underdrive?

check on Midwest super cubs website they have a chart and you can email them for help they have a good knowledge of gearing for your applications

[J-Mech]

Why not use a set of finals off a low boy? That would slow it back down.

[Tim.E]

Thanks,guys.Good ideas. I am thinking the Lo-boy finals would be too low.I think I read somewhere they are something like 12:1 reduction.

[J-Mech]

Originally Posted by Tim.E

Thanks,guys.Good ideas. I am thinking the Lo-boy finals would be too low.I think I read somewhere they are something like 12:1 reduction.

Creeper gear reduction is 4:1. I can't find the exact ratio of the low boy finals, but it is DEFINITELY not 12:1. Its around 4.5:1. (Big gear is 70 teeth, small one is 15 or 16. Can't find the number.) The fact that you are going to be running such a large tire (not quite as big as a low-boy) it should get you back in the game for torque. May not be as fast in 3rd as it was as a cadet, but are you going to use it to pull, or race?