M Series Creep Speed, no power allowed?

[LittleBear]

I was at the library reading the operators manual for the M9000, and I saw the following:

"Creep speed cannot be used for any of the following:
1. Pulling a trailer.
2. Front-loader operation.
3. Earth Moving.
4. Entering or leaving a field.
5. Loading onto and unloading from a truck."

It seem to me that very weak gears must be used for the creep speeds. It can be used for very light operations like pulling a sprayer, but nothing of substance. Am I right about this?

 

[jmc]

LittleBear,

Can't address the M series specifically but I put creepers on my L4330 and they warn you not to use them under full load too. The gear reduction is about 10:1 compared to the standard ratios so torque and, consequently, gear tooth load, increase by a factor of 10. Doubt if fully capable gears would fit in the housing, even if we could afford them.

John

 

[slowzuki]

That is Kubota's way of not being responsible if you break something. The creeper gears really multiply the torque on every component downstream including themselves.

People use them here while pulling pickers and transplanters, orchard stuff etc. I think you can pull but don't use them to try and move heavy loads or push the loader into a pile etc.

 

[Stef]

You can pull with it BUT don't try a bigger load than usual. As the others said, the torque is so high that you could easily break the transmission and so on. The purpose of creep is only for a speed variance. It's not made for more pulling capacity (the tractor is not strong enough to resist the added stress).

 

[LittleBear]

All this sounds very strange to me. Stop and reflect on this for a moment: The M9000 (which everyone describes as strong and powerful) cannot be put into any of it’s creep speed gears and driven onto or off of a transport truck, or into or out of a field. How much load are we talking about here? I checked the operators manuals of the JD5325 and the NH TN, and they have no restrictions at all on the use of their creeper speeds. I need the ability to move normally heavy things very slowly. Also, there are many earth moving and blade operations that need to be done slowly. What are the possible explanations:

1. Kubota is just being overly cautious, and I should ignore the warning. The Kubota creep speed gears are just as strong as JD and NH.

2. Kubota has designed a creep speed that, by design, can only be used for very light applications and accordingly must not be used for normal big tractor operations. Accordingly, their 12 speed tractor is in reality an 8 speed tractor for normal farm work.

In talking to three different Kubota dealers, all choose explanation number 1. What am I to make of this?

 

[KennyV]

LittleBear…
My L4200 Kubota has creep… I loose traction well before I am loading ANY part of the drive train. I can’t imagine what you could possibly do using creep speed that where you can get enough traction that any of this would be an issue.

Has anyone heard of an actual problem with broken creep gears?? KennyV

 

[LittleBear]

KennyV:

Does your operator's manual contain any warnings on using the creep speed? If no, it may be a different setup than what is on the M series.

 

[KennyV]

Well … I’ll be, /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif
I had not noticed it but I have the same exclusions that you listed…. I don’t see why, even at 6000 pounds plus I loose traction before I start to put any type load on the drive train. KennyV.

 

[tjkadar]

The warning sounds like a caveat placed in there for CYA purposes.

 

[Bobm]

I can't speak for your M9000, but can state I personally use creep gear in similar applications as normal range on my L5450. The disclaimer on my tractor is not as limiting as yours, and candidly I have long assumed the warnings were safety based moreso than mechanically based.

The thread here brings forth an interesting concept. I hope someone with authority addresses this issue... in the interim, I better start being more careful!