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

   / Cutting / Groving / Siping R-4 for snow #371  
Sweet looking tires!!!
 
   / Cutting / Groving / Siping R-4 for snow #372  
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   / Cutting / Groving / Siping R-4 for snow #374  
That is a beautiful fireplace! Now, how did you get the tractor in your living room? :eek::eek:

You know what's funny? I've never even used that fireplace! Bought the place 4 years ago but the fire place looks a little shaky so I've been too afraid to use it. Plus, that side of the barn is about 20 feet high, so it would take quite a while for that fireplace to heat the barn up enough to make it worth my while. Been saving up used oil because I'm hoping to get a waste oil furnace sooner than later.
 
   / Cutting / Groving / Siping R-4 for snow
  • Thread Starter
#375  
Hi, OP here. Since I first grooved my tires ~4 years ago and have put ~200 or so hours on since then I wanted to comment on the impact on tire durability once again. In the past 4 years, I've used my heavily loaded tractor to its limits in dirt, gravel and snow. I say heavily loaded trator because the tractor itself is only 2300 pounds but add 600 (filled tires), 700 (rear weight) 300 (steel cage) 800 (loader with tooth bar) and that weight doubles to ~4700. Put my butt in the seat and we're at nearly 5000 pounds on a little 20 hp LB1914. I've experienced great snow / ice traction since grooving the tires and this traction has not seemed to fade with time. I did not experience a noticable difference in mud, hard packed dirt or gravel.

The primary reason for this post is to report that despite my best efforts to destroy my tires by spinning them in gravel and dirt while pushing into piles or while skidding logs, I have not had any chunking or tearing of any lugs. None. Considering the relatively high weight for the little tires I have, I think I've given them a good trial. However, I want to note that some on here have grooved much more agressively than I did and I'd be interested to hear their experience after a few years of operating.

Glad this thread has helped so many people. I just got a new DS4510HS and have not grooved the tires yet. I surely will groove them. However, I may try to wait for summer when it is easier to do. Depends on how much time I have. - Ron
 
   / Cutting / Groving / Siping R-4 for snow #376  
Hi, OP here. Since I first grooved my tires ~4 years ago and have put ~200 or so hours on since then I wanted to comment on the impact on tire durability once again. In the past 4 years, I've used my heavily loaded tractor to its limits in dirt, gravel and snow. I say heavily loaded trator because the tractor itself is only 2300 pounds but add 600 (filled tires), 700 (rear weight) 300 (steel cage) 800 (loader with tooth bar) and that weight doubles to ~4700. Put my butt in the seat and we're at nearly 5000 pounds on a little 20 hp LB1914. I've experienced great snow / ice traction since grooving the tires and this traction has not seemed to fade with time. I did not experience a noticable difference in mud, hard packed dirt or gravel.

The primary reason for this post is to report that despite my best efforts to destroy my tires by spinning them in gravel and dirt while pushing into piles or while skidding logs, I have not had any chunking or tearing of any lugs. None. Considering the relatively high weight for the little tires I have, I think I've given them a good trial. However, I want to note that some on here have grooved much more agressively than I did and I'd be interested to hear their experience after a few years of operating.

Glad this thread has helped so many people. I just got a new DS4510HS and have not grooved the tires yet. I surely will groove them. However, I may try to wait for summer when it is easier to do. Depends on how much time I have. - Ron
Nice follow up report Ron! Good to hear that the durability doesn't seem affected by the siping. I am more sold than ever. Just have to get my hands on the tool for a day.
 
   / Cutting / Groving / Siping R-4 for snow #377  
Hi, OP here. Since I first grooved my tires ~4 years ago and have put ~200 or so hours on since then I wanted to comment on the impact on tire durability once again. In the past 4 years, I've used my heavily loaded tractor to its limits in dirt, gravel and snow. I say heavily loaded trator because the tractor itself is only 2300 pounds but add 600 (filled tires), 700 (rear weight) 300 (steel cage) 800 (loader with tooth bar) and that weight doubles to ~4700. Put my butt in the seat and we're at nearly 5000 pounds on a little 20 hp LB1914. I've experienced great snow / ice traction since grooving the tires and this traction has not seemed to fade with time. I did not experience a noticable difference in mud, hard packed dirt or gravel.

The primary reason for this post is to report that despite my best efforts to destroy my tires by spinning them in gravel and dirt while pushing into piles or while skidding logs, I have not had any chunking or tearing of any lugs. None. Considering the relatively high weight for the little tires I have, I think I've given them a good trial. However, I want to note that some on here have grooved much more agressively than I did and I'd be interested to hear their experience after a few years of operating.

Glad this thread has helped so many people. I just got a new DS4510HS and have not grooved the tires yet. I surely will groove them. However, I may try to wait for summer when it is easier to do. Depends on how much time I have. - Ron

Hi Ron, thanks for the follow-up! It was your original post, subsequent replies and then your status updates that convinced me to do mine and your status updates in particular is what lead me to be comfortable grooving my tires much more agressively. I too will report back over time and wear. - Danny
 
   / Cutting / Groving / Siping R-4 for snow #378  
So while I'd like to get tire chains, because my tractor will need spacers I've decided to hold off, and make do with grooves. There are four Kubotas on my street and none of them have chains so I'm in good company.

Very well pleased with this mod. I still lose traction with the fronts while plowing on a side slope, but otherwise I've been able to push a lot of snow.
image-L.jpg
 
   / Cutting / Groving / Siping R-4 for snow #379  
So while I'd like to get tire chains, because my tractor will need spacers I've decided to hold off, and make do with grooves. There are four Kubotas on my street and none of them have chains so I'm in good company.

Very well pleased with this mod. I still lose traction with the fronts while plowing on a side slope, but otherwise I've been able to push a lot of snow.
image-L.jpg
 
   / Cutting / Groving / Siping R-4 for snow #380  
So while I'd like to get tire chains, because my tractor will need spacers I've decided to hold off, and make do with grooves. There are four Kubotas on my street and none of them have chains so I'm in good company.

Very well pleased with this mod. I still lose traction with the fronts while plowing on a side slope, but otherwise I've been able to push a lot of snow.
image-L.jpg

If you had to put a number on it, what percentage of improvement would you say it was as compared to the stock R4 tires?
 

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