M7060 Creeper Gears

[jkornbread]

Google and site searching aren't leading me to a lot of answers.

Looking at adding the creeper gear kit to my M7060. I can't for the life of me find anything that goes over the install. Ive seen comments ranging from its simple to its a royal PITA. Anyone done this? Or have access to the instructions? I just want to go over the procedure before I plunk down the cash to buy the kit so I know what I'm getting myself into......

Also, anyone have a preference on whom to purchase said kit from other than your local Kubota dealer? Please elaborate.

Thanks all!

 

[100 td]

While I haven't looked at this, it's worth having a look at the exploded parts diagrams of the gearbox and creeper gear kit to assess how it bolts up, I believe on some it's a simple job of removing a plate and slipping the kit in. EDIT, just had a look, this is how it "appears"..........whether or not access is a problem, jump under your tractor and have a look...........

 

[murse72]

Since I got my flail mower to mow around my ponds I have been thinking about the creep speed kit Emailed Messicks and got a price of $695.

 

[oosik]

I'm sure you have checked this out but to further explain - - the creeper gears have a very limited use.

Quote from my Kubota OP manual -

Creep speed should only be used when doing one of the following -
Deep rotary-tilling and harrowing
Planting
Turf application

Creep speed can not be used for any of the following -
Pulling a trailer
Front-loader operation
Front-blade operation
Earth-moving
Entering and leaving a field
Loading onto and unloading from a truck

 

[murse72]

I am looking for slower speed when mowing around my ponds with the ditch bank flail mower still have a few trees and old stumps along the outside of the pond levees. I would rather creep along than keeping my foot on the clutch. I figure the creep gear is a lot cheaper that replacing a clutch

 

[mbu]

jkornbread and murse72,

I installed the creeper kit on my M7060HDC12 about three weeks ago and love it - it was basically an easy install. I bought my kit thru the dealer. I use the creeper gears when I'm feeding my cattle while grinding it in the mill. Like you, I found no information on the 'net so I hope the following is helpful to you. This is for the 12-speed transmission but the 8-speed is most likely similar.

Kubota suggests that one remove the left rear tire but that isn't necessary. First, the tractor's left step must be removed, then drain and remove the fuel tank. The hydraulic fluid must also be drained. I used an inexpensive hand held transfer pump that I bought from Harbor Freight to pump both so that I could keep everything clean. The hydraulic fluid was pumped via its filler hole located at the rear of the tractor.

Multi-Use Transfer Pump

The creeper kit comes with instructions, the assembled gear and plate, new bolts, new range shift knob, two dowel alignment pins, and all necessary decals (see photo below). You'll have to buy some gasket sealer and it is recommended that you use Permatex Anaerobic Gasket Maker #51813 which is available at most automotive stores.

The installation instructions are also attached and can be seen in the pdf link below if downloaded.

 

[murse72]

Thanks MBU. How far down did you have to drain your hydraulic fluid ?

 

[mbu]

... How far down did you have to drain your hydraulic fluid ?

murse72,

One needs to get most of the oil out - maybe a quart can be left. Remember, some of the tractor's oil capacity will still be held in the FEL, rear hydraulics, and steering which will help.

The hardest part of the creeper gear installation is draining the tractor's fluids, so plan on doing the work when the fuel tank is low! Seriously, it took me around four hours to do the job but that was because I was proceeding cautiously. If I were to do it again, I could do it in two hours. If you have the dealer install it, I would think a fair charge time would be around 2.5 hours.

In my opinion, the slow speeds of the creeper are well worth its cost - even if one only used it when attaching implements.

 

[JWR]

I'm sure you have checked this out but to further explain - - the creeper gears have a very limited use.

Quote from my Kubota OP manual -

Creep speed should only be used when doing one of the following -
Deep rotary-tilling and harrowing
Planting
Turf application

Creep speed can not be used for any of the following -
Pulling a trailer
Front-loader operation
Front-blade operation
Earth-moving
Entering and leaving a field
Loading onto and unloading from a truck

I have no doubt that these "Cannot be used for..." applications covers somebody's butt at Kubota in obscure circumstances. I'm sure the OP Manual says that but I'd consider it nonsense until a reasonable explanation is provided. "Can only be used for..." is really absurd. For example creeper gears are excellent for snowblowing which is not mentioned. Of course any "can only be used for" list is silly. I wonder if any Kubota regional service rep has been asked to explain these restrictive statements ?

 

[Fallon]

The creeper gears are designed for slow speed not maximum torque. I assume they expect there are scenarios where those low gears can generate more torque than some of the drivetrain can take. Hence warning against situations where there are situations where you could get unexpectedly large amounts of traction & resistance. Then the creeper gears torque something to pieces.

 

[murse72]

I think for my purpose of mowing around ponds it will not be an issue

 

[JWR]

The creeper gears are designed for slow speed not maximum torque. I assume they expect there are scenarios where those low gears can generate more torque than some of the drivetrain can take. Hence warning against situations where there are situations where you could get unexpectedly large amounts of traction & resistance. Then the creeper gears torque something to pieces.

Gotcha. Makes sense. They just need an editor to say something like that and avoid the "can not" and the "only". I think the drivetrain will easily stand enough torque to spin the tires regardless of the surface. If it won't, it isn't much of a tractor... I have 2 B2150's both of which came from the factory with a creeper speed. No warnings in the manual but then these machines are around 30 years old.

 

[scdeerslayer]

Gotcha. Makes sense. They just need an editor to say something like that and avoid the "can not" and the "only". I think the drivetrain will easily stand enough torque to spin the tires regardless of the surface. If it won't, it isn't much of a tractor... I have 2 B2150's both of which came from the factory with a creeper speed. No warnings in the manual but then these machines are around 30 years old.

I was going to say that there may be something lost in translation with those instructions and that they might mean those statements to be as absolute as they seem.

 

[Brown Dog]

Old thread resurrected :

So does this creeper gear kit give the 12spd a 3rd Range making it an 18spd ?

A B C / Low Med Hi Ranges with your 6 gears in each range.

OR is it just one speed ONLY : that’s slower than Low Range 1st Gear ?

 

[5030]

Od thread answered, the creep speed gives you 4 creep speeds because the creep geaset acts on the main range gearset so it gives you 4 extra ranges on the main shift. Problem is, it's very deep reduction (made for planting operations) so it's not viable for any travelling work. I have it installed and rarely use it. High in creep is like 3 ranges below high on the main low side.

 

[Brown Dog]

When you say 4 creep speeds is this with an 8spd transmission ?

I thought it was only available for a 12spd trans.

I’m not understanding what your describing ?

My buddy is wanting this to do work in 500’ chicken houses where you need to go real slow.

His 12spd travels too fast in low range 1st gear.

 

[KWentling]

It's 6 additional speeds below the low range 1st gear. Looks like from about .25 mph up to 1 mph with the 16.9x30 rears.

 

[Industrial Toys]

I wish I had opted for this when I put a new transmission in my JD 6200. I wondered how fast it would be in Creeper, Gear 4. Still dead slow or something useable for ditch bank mowing or snow blowing?

So is creeper usually just another range or another gearbox on the output of your existing transmission?

I used to pull long runs of wire using creeper gear on our Universal 445 tractor. Get off the tractor and feed and lube wire going into the conduit. One man operation!

 

[5030]

When you say 4 creep speeds is this with an 8spd transmission ?

I thought it was only available for a 12spd trans.

No, was / is available for any 8 or 12 or more speed main transmission Having said that it is a factory installed option, I do not know if a dealer can install it, mine was ordered that way. I do know it entails serious transmission work.

I’m not understanding what your describing ?

The creep speed gearset is installed in the main case and impacts all traveling speeds (forward and reverse). The creep gears are used to add an additional range.

My buddy is wanting this to do work in 500’ chicken houses where you need to go real slow.

His 12spd travels too fast in low range 1st gear.

I think he will find the install cost prohibitive.

 

[Brown Dog]

It's 6 additional speeds below the low range 1st gear. Looks like from about .25 mph up to 1 mph with the 16.9x30 rears.

This will be PERFECT.
My buddy has 16.9-24 Rear R4 Tires & that also helps slow it down but it’s not enough.

My JD 12spd is about .4mph it could stand to be a touch slower in A-1