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

[Boris1]

Thanks GB

 

[check]

Wow, looks amazing, but don't the tires wear out faster?

 

[gbnpp05]

Wow, looks amazing, but don't the tires wear out faster?

According to the originator of this thread his tires have been in operation for a while now with no appreciable wear or chunking. See below:

Originally Posted by gladehound View Post

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

 

[PhysAssist]

Sorry, I must have been asleep when I misread the date on your post.

 

[PhysAssist]

I'd give it about a 20-30% improvement. Not like chains but I haven't slid much and climbed a pure-ice hill, no problem.

Thanks G-man, the feed back is appreciated!
Thomas

 

[check]

According to the originator of this thread his tires have been in operation for a while now with no appreciable wear or chunking. See below:

Sonds good - maybe I'll do it!

 

[kennyd]

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.

 

[Bradbilt]

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

 

[teg]

...and couldn't spin the tractor around 180* using the steering brakes like I always do....

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

 

[RoyJackson]

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 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!