Snow Equipment Owning/Operating Cutting / Groving / Siping R-4 for snow

[alleycatdad]

I just did both fronts and one rear of the R4s on my Branson 3510. Left the other rear for comparison, just for fun. Guess we will seen, now we need some snow!


Steve

[k0ua]

I just did both fronts and one rear of the R4s on my Branson 3510. Left the other rear for comparison, just for fun. Guess we will seen, now we need some snow!


Steve

PLEASE report back. Theoretically the one left undid should be the rear that spins all the time, with the cut one planted firmly.. That is a great idea to test whether this theory has merit or not. I "felt" that my Kubota was better with the R4's cut, but how do you actually prove that, as the last time they were uncut was the year before. But now you have a way to really prove it.

James K0UA

[daugen]

PLEASE report back. Theoretically the one left undid should be the rear that spins all the time, with the cut one planted firmly.. That is a great idea to test whether this theory has merit or not. I "felt" that my Kubota was better with the R4's cut, but how do you actually prove that, as the last time they were uncut was the year before. But now you have a way to really prove it.

James K0UA

What would be really cool is to load it to the point of max adhesion/beginning to slip, say pushing snow and then take pics of the tire tracks in fresh snow.
Those tracks might tell an interesting story if the snow is deep and some is left after your pass.

[jimgerken]

Unfortunately one side or the other is going to have more torque available, depending on the differential design. Have you ever noticed how one back wheel of the pickup is always the one that spins first? This is for open differential vehicles only. To do a real test, you'd have to run the cut tire on one side, then the other, and evaluate both setups. Nothing is ever as easy as you'd like it.

[daugen]

Unfortunately one side or the other is going to have more torque available, depending on the differential design. Have you ever noticed how one back wheel of the pickup is always the one that spins first? This is for open differential vehicles only. To do a real test, you'd have to run the cut tire on one side, then the other, and evaluate both setups. Nothing is ever as easy as you'd like it.

would stepping on the diff lock serve a purpose here for comparison?

[kiotiken]

That's funny. Talk about brand loyalty, wow Kubota fans are brutal. After that thread I felt like I went a couple of rounds with Tyson.

For sure, you really got your ear chewed off in that one

[TWD]

would stepping on the diff lock serve a purpose here for comparison?

Locking the diff. by default provides a benefit so I think it would be an unfair test trying to compare 1 tire to another especially since weight is rarely 50/50 distributed too.

[alleycatdad]

Unfortunately one side or the other is going to have more torque available, depending on the differential design. Have you ever noticed how one back wheel of the pickup is always the one that spins first? This is for open differential vehicles only. To do a real test, you'd have to run the cut tire on one side, then the other, and evaluate both setups. Nothing is ever as easy as you'd like it.

Yeah, well, it's a good thing nobody promised you a "real" test then, eh?

Fact is I grooved the side that seems to me to most often lose traction in the snow (itself a lousy test since it's a new tractor and it seems to have quit snowing here...), and we will see what we will see.

Anyway it was a fun project and the kids loved picking out the "worms".

Steve

[Bigturk]

I grooved my R4s a year ago. Pics on page 19 of this thread. There is a noticable improvement in traction in snow/ice and mud. I have not seen any chunking or tear out of tread. I have put 100 hours on my tractor since grooving the tires and have no regrets. Wiil not give you the traction of chains but is well worth the cost of the tool.

[pane056]

Hello;

What is a siped Tire?

Thanks, nicholas