Turf (R3) tires better in snow - but why?

[CobyRupert]

I once read a rather scientific piece claiming that ice itself isn't slippery but rather a thin layer of water. I can't say I understand that but that's what I remember reading.

I read that as an explanation for how you slide much farther when skating, how the pressure under the metal blade increases the temperature and makes water.

Wonder if that happens under your boots too? And then under your &$$ as you go down the front steps?

I agree with Lou, around here R1’s are going to be be better IN the various snow types. Today we got mashed potatoes.

I wonder if you were plowing a parking lot which type tire, same tractor, would push more snow driving on what the plow clears?

 

[ruffdog]

That is the big question, do you spend more time in unplowed areas or do you spend more time behind a plow or blower?

 

[CADplans]

My 4WD and turfs went as far forward as possible,, it is stuck,,,

Turfs do nothing in the snow,,,,, unless you wrap some steel around them,,,

 

[ruffdog]

No weight or "steel"....

 

[ovrszd]

Coby, on that parking lot the tire with the most cuts, sipes and voids wins.

 

[MoArk Willy]

I once read a rather scientific piece claiming that ice itself isn't slippery but rather a thin layer of water. I can't say I understand that but that's what I remember reading.

A thin layer of water on top of ice is a thin layer of ice. The only difference between ice and water is temperature.

 

[oosik]

In AK where our 4WD club had runs every weekend - we would get our Jeeps and Jeep-type vehicles into snow up to three feet deep. Generally speaking - the narrower, lugged tire( R-1 type ) moved the vehicle better thru the deeper snows. It dug down thru the deeper snows because of its narrow width and the lugs in contact with the frozen ground provided the necessary traction to move the vehicle forward.

Wider tires whether lugged or not, floated and could not get the necessary traction when in contact with only snow.

However - some times the really wide - Terra tires - would float, get sufficient traction when only in contact with the snow and move the vehicle forward if the vehicle was light enough. This, however, could be a significant problem - usually this type of tire/vehicle would get seriously stuck - sooner or later. The tire would encounter deep, soft snows - the tire would dig thru the deep snow - contact the ground and not have sufficient traction to push thru the snow. The immense width of the tires requiring more force to push thru the deep snow than contact with the frozen ground could provide.

Whatever tire is chosen - contact with only snow is never going to provide the motive force that contact with the ground can provide.

Then there is the situation where snows are so deep that high centering will prevent any type of tire from contacting the ground - generally speaking - you be stuck.

Then there were those Jeeps with the speciality tri-angular track systems on each wheel. They too had to be very careful - they could get to areas where - when stuck - no other 4WD vehicle of any type or tire configuration could get near enough to provide any assistance with their stuck condition. They - generally speaking - were the "cool dudes" and leaders of the pack type. It would really piss everybody off when they would forge ahead of the group - a mile or so - get stuck and then expect everybody to bust their hump and come up and pull the fool out.

In conditions where the "word of the day" was - for God's sake keep it moving forward at any costs - - you dam well better be looking for less snow depth because you could be moving straight into jaws of SERIOUS STUCK.

Looking back on all those years of "play in the snow" - - I'm truly amazed that we didn't have more serious heart attack situations - digging vehicles out of grievous stuck snow conditions.

 

[oosik]

Almost every year the Jeep club - Top 'O the World Four Wheelers - would have an extended summer & winter adventure tour. Just like many motorcycle adventure tours - the participants, their vehicles, the participants skill sets and their true willingness to fit into the group and truly participate were seriously evaluated - prior to being accepted on these tours. These tours were limited to 8 to 12 vehicles. The adventure tours would get you and your vehicle out 250 mile or much more - beyond any road or trail - paved or gravel. You, your vehicle and the group would be closer to God than any trail or road. That was true fun and adventure.

Many of these events were heavily sponsored by automotive/tire/outdoor equipment companies. A fantastic way to put your vehicle - its tires - any type of outdoors equipment to a serious test.

 

[ruffdog]

There is a big difference between driving in snow and driving during snow removal. There are different types of traction needed for each scenario. I had a set of Thornbirds for the Jeep and I could really go through the deep snow if you kept the throttle on. Those same big lugged tires on a road that is packed snow or icy and it was dangerous. Two different scenarios.

 

[CobyRupert]

Yep, seems like the claim "turf's are better for snow" depends on whether you're driving ahead of the plow or behind it.