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

[Aussiebushman]

Sincere thanks to all for this fabulous thread

I was just about to buy the chain and shackles to try to improve the grip on my Ford 6000 tyres but there is very little clearance between the tyres and the guards and fitting spacers onto these monsters would be a real hassle. As you can see in the pictures the rear tyres are badly worn but I can't justify $1500 a tyre to replace them when the beast is only used to grade the roads and clear the fallen branches etc in the scrub.

We don't get much snow here even though winter temperature goes down to minus 12 C - the problem is lack of traction on the dirt roads and in the bush especially when reversing up a steep slope when the rrear wheels just spin. This is why I found the discussion about siping very useful so I want to give it a try if you experts suggest it. Do you think a single cut along each tread bar would do, OR maybe longditudal cut plus a couple of 90 degree cuts?

Unfortunately, siping tools here are over $400 and the US ones don't run on our 230 V without a transformer, so options seem to be:

a) a butane torch with cutting tip - a bit small for the job
b) an electric soldering iron with modified tip - might work
c) a router - scary
d) a Dremel-type multi-tool with a cutter tip - might be best

Comments and suggestions most welcome

Alan

 

[Bob77064]

Good looking dog.

 

[Aussiebushman]

Yeah - she is the one who oversees operations here. The only problem is she doesn't put the tools back after she used them

 

[Aussiebushman]

Actually - since last post, I think I have solved the tool issue - tried a 4" angle grinder with a nice fat cutter -It seemed to work well - slow but created a neat groove about 4 mm wide and 4 mm deep. However - the guard had to be removed to stop hot rubber building up between the disk and the guard. Later I tried a 4" abortech cutter in a 5" grinder so the extra clearance meant the guard could stay on - it did a much better job - faster, less heat. less mess and a nice clean cut

My other question remains - one cut or two and what about perpendicular cuts? The picture shows I made just one off centre. Would two weaken the tread too much?

Cheers

Alan

 

[skyhook]

Your tires look similar to mine, not much tread left either.
But mine are "loaded" and i have no traction issues with them, 4X4 though.
Have you considered filling them.

 

[Aussiebushman]

G'Day Skyhook

Thanks for the suggestion. I did consider filling but the local tyre guy reckons it is unlikely to help.

There has been no feedback from the others on this forum about whether siping will work but I don't have a lot to lose by trying. Not sure if it will also help but perhaps "squaring off " the sides of the worn treads might help too. Anyone care to comment please?

Alan

 

[pmhowe]

I haven't tried it yet. From all reports, it is well worth doing. I plan to do a single sipe per tread. I recommend you go that way. If it works, great. If you can't discern a difference, why go to two?
PMH

 

[PhysAssist]

I was going to say that the dirt biker all use tire groovers or hot knives to cut new corners on their tread blocks so that they have more bite and it looks like you could do that carefully.

The folks in this thread who tried siping and/or grooving for mud and dirt use didn't seem to think it helped as much as it did in the snow.

I personally have no experience with it, but I did buy a hot knife so I can get grooves cut on my R-4's before the next winter arrives.

I plan to do it late summer after the tractor has been sitting out in the sun for a few hours and they're nice and warm.

Thomas

 

[Aussiebushman]

Thanks guys - I'm making progress with the Arbortech cutter - maybe 20% through the job with a single sipe per tread. Also tried squaring off the edge of one tread but probably will not persist with that - very difficult job

I'll post more pictures later

Alan

 

[Ram4x4]

I'm not sure Carl could stand the excitement of posting another tractor comparo....
But I'd like to hear too.
I have HDAP tires on my Gravely and they are superb in the snow, btw.

It's not the tires...that chrome exhaust tip is what really makes it work better!!