How did you cut the tire? I have never had any luck.
This (using a tire tread) is exactly what I've done for four winters.
I use a "Torch" demolition blade on a sawzall.
Very easy to cut around to remove sidewalls.
Pretty hard to cut across the tread as the flexing of the tread with the blade slows the cutting, but only takes about a minute.
When one side wears out, rotate to use the other edge.
One major improvement was to make a steel bar about 2" wide (1/8" or so thick) with matching holes.
That helps made the tread flat AND makes it much easier to drill holes through the tread at the right place.
I use whatever length the tread is after removing sidewalls rather than having to cut the tread twice. Looks a little odd, but helps avoid damage to anything I'm plowing close to.
Mark H.