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

[kennyd]

You guys are interchanging the term Grooving and Siping. They re NOT the same.

Grooving imply just that, cutting a Groove.

Siping is a just a slice in the tread. It removes no rubber

Maybe, but so what...everybody knows what we are talking about.

So there *IS* a down side, you can't play around like you used to!!! Might have to reconsider

:laughing:

Maybe so...but if you order the tool to do the job, the nomenclature is grooving or siping, interchangeably.
Bottom-line, as long as it works, we're good!

:thumbsup:

 

[check]

You guys are interchanging the term Grooving and Siping. They re NOT the same.

Grooving imply just that, cutting a Groove.

Siping is a just a slice in the tread. It removes no rubber

So which is better, grooving, or siping?

 

[k0ua]

So which is better, grooving, or siping?

What everyone had done here is groove the tires. But the tool will do both. I don't know what the answer is to your question, I am still trying to learn too.

 

[gbnpp05]

We had about a 1/2" of snow last night-not a big deal by any means but with the cold temps (+3 overnight) and high winds (40mph gust's) as soon as I pushed the snow the residual turned to a sheet of ice almost instantly, this is where I always had problems with the R4's. I wanted to get it off the driveway so the sun could help melt it, I don't use salt or any other snow-melt chemicals. I never used 4WD this morning, never spin a tire, and couldn't spin the tractor around 180* using the steering brakes like I always do. When I tried to skid/slide, the tractor would stop very quickly rather than just keep sliding as it used to. There is absolutely a difference with the tires siped, the increased traction was very noticeable.

View attachment 411874

We had about 3 inches of snow Friday thru Saturday, temps in the teens with wind chills near zero. My grooved R4's performed noticeably better than the standard R4's to the point I was able to use the bucket on the FEL and the rear blade in unison going UP my driveway in 4WD. Prior to grooving it would barely go up in 4WD and the rear locked with just the rear blade. Didn't have to lock the rears in once. Steering was better too although I did have to ease up on the FEL to make the right turn at the top of the driveway.

I'm pretty happy.

 

[BruceMc]

It will work but it will be slower. The warmer the tire the better. At 60* my tires cut like butter. If anything I'd blast a heater on the tire you're working on. It'll keep you and the tire warm while to work.

After doing my first tire at 10º, this is exactly what I did with tires #2-4. With the heater on the ground and the tires in the air, it pre-heated and softened the section that came immediately before the section I was working on. When I had finished grooving a half-dozen bars, I just rotated up the pre-heated section and immediately went to work on it.

 

[REt92]

Two years ago I got a 3005 with R4 tires and it did slip more than my old 1010. I read the posts on siping the tires and I bought the tool and we siped the rears. Didn't have any snow last year so did not plow any. This year has been different. I done the front tires this summer with some straight grooves also. I can say it works better, hardly any slipping even on asphalt driveways.
built a weight box on the rear, about 450 lbs and I am really happy with this tractor now. Thanks for all the information
Ret92 N Va

 

[vacman]

Hey guys. I am about to take delivery of a new tractor with Industrial Tires and I want to do this to my tires. Does anyone have one of these tools they would want to sell or lend to me? I'm in northern Illinois if you are close. With winter coming, this seems like a topic we'll be discussing soon.

Thanks

John
(815) 370-6491

 

[vacman]

Hey guys. I am about to take delivery of a new tractor with Industrial Tires and I want to do this to my tires. Does anyone have one of these tools they would want to sell or lend to me? I'm in northern Illinois if you are close. With winter coming, this seems like a topic we'll be discussing soon.

Thanks

John
(815) 370-6491

 

[busy dad]

Speedway Motors , Jegs , Summit all sell Siping tools in the $100.00 area .. You could use a sawzall blade and a propane torch also .. A comfy seat and time are a plus

 

[Bradbilt]

$64 Amazon.com: Ideal Tire Groover: Automotive