Strength of the creeper?

[garnold]

This topic has been touched on here and there on other threads but I really wanted to focus on it here. I know Ill get some mixed opinions here but does the addition of the creeper lesson the strength of your drive shaft assembly?

I think we can all agree that the creeper slows your tractor down via gear ratio. That being said, technically your gaining more power now out of your engine with that speed trade off. Now I say technically because this power puts new stress on parts plus stress on the creeper itself. Since my thought is that cub cadet introduced the creeper as a tool to offer your trator more speeds rather then power, do you folks think its also strong to take the stress of pulling larger weight?

Here's another reason I ask. Ok I know Zero, nada, zip about pulling other then the obvious. Your tractors job is to pull large amounts of weight. If that's the case, and the creeper gear gives your tractor more power why doesn't more pullers use these on their smaller stock tractors? I can see why they would not for their hopped up, higher rpm engine models but wouldn't it be ideal for your stock engine entrees?

Also, the 169 (16hp size engine) was only offered as hydro and that has me wondering if this was because the stock clutch and creeper could not handle that size engine.

Please understand that these are all questions and I'm not offering any first hand experience but trying to gain some knowledge from others first hand experience.

Thanks for any input here