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

[Doofy]

Once upon a time, I actually thought that some folks enjoyed a spirited debate on different topics. Not so much anymore. Some of you just like to argue and the topic doesn't seem to matter. Makes for lousy reading.

 

[Carl_NH]

Found my tire groover in the garage in NH, if anyone wants to borrow it.

Bought Ofa chains a few years ago.

Hi Garandman,

I am interested - sent you a PM

Thanks
Carl

 

[Dakota_male]

Found my tire groover in the garage in NH, if anyone wants to borrow it.

Bought Ofa chains a few years ago.

I have one and grooved my tractor front tires, adds 50% better steering in snow!

 

[dnw64]

The compound of rubber is what makes a snow tire, a snow tire. Grooving is futile.

If that were true, tire companies wouldn't spend millions producing new moulds, they would simply use different rubber in their summer or all-season patterns.

 

[Garandman]

The compound of rubber is what makes a snow tire, a snow tire. Grooving is futile.

Two tires made by Nokian - who invented the snow tire.

 

[Doofy]

Gee, do I see grooving and sipes? We had snow tires long before the softer rubber compounds.

 

[Doofy]

I think I would definitely try Grooving my R-4s before buying expensive tire chains.

 

[LouNY]

Gee, do I see grooving and sipes? We had snow tires long before the softer rubber compounds.

You certainly do see grooving and sipes, of course if you shove a thumb nail into the tread you will also find a softer rubber compound.
Also, even back in the 50-60's the better snow tires wore out much faster then the summer tires did, so maybe a softer rubber even then?
The cheaper snow tires that didn't work as good did last longer.

 

[Doofy]

I miss the days when you could order new tires, mounted and balanced from Sears & Roebuck and they would show up in the mail. Good Times!

 

[dnw64]

I miss the days when you could order new tires, mounted and balanced from Sears & Roebuck and they would show up in the mail. Good Times!

Sears? The only Mail Order place near us when I was growing up was Monkey Wards. Only had to drive about 10 miles and you could get almost anything you wanted!

 

[dnw64]

Very cold, dry, crusty snow - shows how the snow clings to the grooves and then sticks to the snow on the ground. I have no scientific data, but anecdotally, grooves work.