Why Do I Want a Creeper?
 

The 122 I recently was given is no frills: no headlights, no reflectors, no creeper, no nuthin', but I find I'm tempted to buy a creeper gearbox.

Why would I want one?

The tractor has a 42" deck, and as far as I can see, mowing is all I'll ever ask of it, but as a long-time 4-wheeler, I love low gearing.

Tell me why a creeper box makes sense. Or not.

Please.

Could it be that you are a Scooby Doo fan? It is certainly something to consider... The creepy gear is used primarily for two main reasons, running a snow thrower and for running a tiller. Well, maybe for parades, too. So, you should consider how much of each of those you are going to be doing with your 122. You said in your OP that you just mow with it. The creepy gear is useful there if you are mowing around something delicate in which slower speeds are favorable. For example, I put on in my 73 and when I mow around my mom's PVC fence, I use the creepy gear to go nice and slow so that I do not damage or scratch up her fence. However, the creepy gear is the weaker part of your drive line for your cub, so if you are planning on running a disc with your cub, then you probably should re-consider installing one. Don't get me wrong, it will still run the disc, but if you get hung up on a rock, stump, etc and something is going to give, then it is likely to be your creepy gear. Just something to consider.:bigthink:

Don't worry about having a plain Jane cub. Part of the fun is finding and installing those "extras". If it came with all of those, then what would you do for kicks?:biggrin2:

BTW>If you want a quality repo Grote taillight for it, then Yosemite Sam (Mark) has those at a very reasonable price. Lights would be great for safety if you are moving snow at night (it gets dark earlier) or night mowing.

When you get a chance, pics of that 122 would be nice to see!

Cub Cadet 123

Good answer! I have one with a drive shaft, if you decide you want one. PM me if you're interested.

Reverse creeper use
 

I like to use the creeper gearing when backing my cart in tight places with the 122 because I do not have to use the clutch or brake very much due to slow speed. This is especially true on hills or near things that you really do not want scratched. I think mowing in really tight places without slipping the clutch is good too.

the creeper is great for loading into a pick up, i don't like ramps so id put my 122 in low 1st and let it go up the ramps by itself. it also comes it handy when mowing tall grass.

Depends on your application. If you are snow throwing/rototilling, get a creeper. If you don't plan on doing either of these, you likely don't need one.

you want the creeper because its neat... I have always wanted one for the simple fact that I have never had one!.. Here in the south they are pretty rare..

You all make a pretty strong case for a creeper.

Thanks for all the info-- I hadn't even thought of the advantages of one for mowing, or blowing snow.

I haven't actually used it for anything; it hasn't turned a wheel (or anything else) under its own power since I got it about a month ago. It's in great shape, but it also has a wide variety of little things wrong that are preventing start-up: bad battery, carb & tank full of varnish, crankcase half full of diesel drain-oil, bad rear (1965 original) tire, trans half full of water, seized 1/R shift rail, worn out points & spark plug, seized outboard deck spindle, missing deck belt shrouds, etc., etc... A good many of these have been remedied, but not enough to start it up, and mowing season is rapidly drawing to a close.

I'd love to post some photos of this tractor (it looks like it spent all but last spring in a garage), but all my pix are on my phone and this forum doesn't seem to support Tapatalk. I'll try & take some with my actual camera & upload them, or maybe I can upload the ones I have on my phone. Not real good with this kind of thing.

I just want one so I fit in :biggrin2:

Ok, here goes, thanks to the cloud -

https://nailhead.smugmug.com/Cub-Cad...IMG_1025-M.jpg

As first seen. I knew I had to have it.

https://nailhead.smugmug.com/Cub-Cad...IMG_1023-M.jpg

Good shape, that one (I'm talking about the 122, not my nut job buddy).

https://nailhead.smugmug.com/Cub-Cad...IMG_1057-M.jpg

Great condition, at least to my eye.

https://nailhead.smugmug.com/Cub-Cad...IMG_1065-M.jpg

https://nailhead.smugmug.com/Cub-Cad...IMG_1058-M.jpg

https://nailhead.smugmug.com/Cub-Cad...IMG_1059-M.jpg

Various problems.

https://nailhead.smugmug.com/Cub-Cad...IMG_1076-M.jpg

Cleaning the carb. That "broth" really stank.