Carving New Tire Treads

glennmac · Jul 23, 2001

We often decide that the tires on our tractors are not aggressive enough. For example, we have turfs and we really need industrials (R4's), or we have R4's and we really need ags (R1's). This can happen when we realize we made a "mistake" when we bought our new tractor, or when we buy a used tractor that has the "wrong" tires. Living with the tires you have is frustrating, and buying a whole new set is expensive.

Why cant we just change the tread of the tires we have? I think this would work easiest when trying to change an R4 tread to an ag tread. What I have in mind is simply using some sort of blade or some sort of grinding tool to literally sculpture the R4 tread bars into the shape of ag bars. One could even design some sort of pattern, form or jig to create the shape. I think you could even deepen the area between the tread bars somewhat to improve traction further.

This would probably be less effective on turf tires. But it would seem that with a pattern you could carve the turf tread so there are tread gaps. You might not be able to carve too deep, but it may produce much better results than the turf, as is, and it may be a lot more economical.

None of this should affect 4wd rolling circumferences.

<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1>Edited by glennmac on 07/23/01 01:44 PM (server time).</FONT></P>

Anonymous Poster · Jul 23, 2001

You didn't retire from Firestone recently did you? /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

Boondox · Jul 23, 2001

I sure would like to have some of whatever you've been drinking! /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

Pete

www.GatewayToVermont.com

Bird · Jul 23, 2001

I have a great idea. You try it on one tire and then tell us about it./w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif/w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif I say "one" tire because I'm confident you'll never get to the second one./w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

Bird

Anonymous Poster · Jul 23, 2001

My father in law had a flat on his 8N (locust thorns) and called a tire service to come out and repair it. They replaced the tube and reinflated the tire. The repair guy hung the tire on the hoist and as he turned around for his tools the tire exploded. Poor guy had black eyes and could hardly hear for 2 weeks. They suspect there was a thin spot or a crack in the rubber that had gone unnoticed.

I don't think ANYONE should go sculpting around on tires. And don't tell me you were going to do it while they were uninflated, gotta put air in them sometime.

hayden · Jul 23, 2001

Boy, Glenn, looks like this one did a belly flop.

Want me to challenge the 4WD rolling circumference to liven things up a bit?

DVerbarg · Jul 23, 2001

Not to buck the trend and defend Glenn (not that Glenn needs defending, I would probably need Glenn to defend me) I've heard that the tractors used in pulls carve their tires. Just heard this last week. They do this, in addition to lowering the pressure in their tires, in order to improve traction.

Having said this I also seem to remember that they don't seem to be too concerned about the long life of their equipment as much as they are short-term performance.

DaveV

glennmac · Jul 23, 2001

Thanks for coming to my defense, Dave, even though I was swatting your fly earlier today.

It is often the case that ideas of true genius are not appreciated until centuries later. Therefore, some traction-starved guy in 2201 is going to realize that he can create a supertire by carving an R4. Using an Ingersoll-Rand air grinder and a Coleman air compressor, it is quite simple to carve the R4 treads into the exact tread pattern of the legendary Michelin XM27. This would indeed be a supertire: the ply strength of an R4, the width and floatation of a turf, and the enhanced ag traction pattern of the Michelin.

This sculpting should be able to be done quite safely. Of course, it could get messy if you make a mistake with 300 lbs. of calcium chloride in your tire. The good news is that they say calcium is good for your skeleton.

As Galileo said during his persecution: If I can help one poor body increase traction, it will all have been worth it.

Enough. It is now time to log on to ESPN to watch the greatest woman basketball player of all time: Svetlana Abrosimova (until Diana Taurasi graduates).

gordon · Jul 23, 2001

Pullers do it, dirt track racers do it. It's not uncommon at all. In the dirt racing field to hot gun or burr your tires to get that extra little bit of traction. But you should know what your doing before you tackle it. Too deep and ka-bam.

But there are alot of tools on the market just for the above tasks. Both air and electric.

Gordon

PBMAX · Jul 24, 2001

Saw a clip on TNN Or Discovery last year.They were talking about Monster Trucks.They carve thier tires from a slick tire because know one at the time made tires specificlly for them plus it allowed them to experement.The pointed out that this is a really thick tire and it should not be done by folks at home...As others have mentioned it could get exciting to say the least....

Laziness is the Father of invention.../w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif
Lil' Paul
Proud owner of TC21D