Grooving / Cutting R-3 Turf Tires For Better Snow Traction
- Thread starter LFEngineering
- Start date
- Views: 12717
OP
LFEngineering
Bronze Member
- Joined
- Sep 25, 2013
- Messages
- 92
- Location
- Western, MA
- Tractor
- Kubota B1700, IH Cub Lo-Boy 185( Sold) & Deutz Allis 5215 (Sold)
The one tire took about 1.5 hours to cut, but there was a learning curve and I did it over 2 days. I'd be willing to bet I could do the other in an hour now that I know what I'm doing and I only have to rotate it once.
The Fred
Veteran Member
Is there ANY help for this problem? My wife will pay any price for tWeakster rEhab right about now.
Fred
The Fred
Veteran Member
I guess tweaking isn't a good term but I'm one of those guys that can't leave well enough alone. I just found out what twerking is a week ago, I'm pretty naïve LOL.
Fred
Fred
Rip
Platinum Member
Boy the pics of your Lo-Boy bring back memories......my folks had one in Maryland from about 1970 thru '85 for mowing and snow.....10 acres and 1/2 mile drive......had chains for snow but my Dad did not like the marks they left on the new asphalt......but did not have much choice. Good solid machine....few others in that class then.....without 4WD used the steering brakes a lot. Glad to see yours in good condition and still working!
OP
LFEngineering
Bronze Member
- Joined
- Sep 25, 2013
- Messages
- 92
- Location
- Western, MA
- Tractor
- Kubota B1700, IH Cub Lo-Boy 185( Sold) & Deutz Allis 5215 (Sold)
Update:
Since grooving the tires we've received 10-15" of snow. Without a plow my only option was beat a path around the house. The grooved tires pushed through the drifts with ease. When I did spin the tires I would simply back up and make another pass at it. Once packed down it was as good as grass.
With confirmed snow traction my desire for a plow increased daily. With 10" -14" in the forecast I need a plow and I needed a plow Quick. With no time to fabricate a proper plow the focus shifted to how fast / how cheap can I push snow. That night I made a couple of inserts that would fit in my multi-hitch receivers and bolted on a 60" piece of 2x12. All in all, probably $30 bucks worth of materials and an hour to build.
Yesterday was the test. By the time I got home there was 10" on the ground and another 5" -7" expected over night. Eager to test it out I fired up the tractor and got plowin'. The 60" plow made quick work of the snow, plowing the driveway in 35 min (a 90 min job with the blower). With the driveway cleared I started on working on the path to the wood pile. Again the plow exceeded my expectations; I could push the 10" from today plus the 10" -15" already on the ground from previous storms.
This morning I was greeted by 5" of fresh snow SOAKED by a midnight rain. You know the kind of snow that's so dense you can walk across the top even when it's not frozen. Yea that stuff. Normally in a situation like this I'd call in late to work and spend a few hours clogging the snowblower, I mean clearing the driveway. However with the tractor sitting in the garage I turned around and said "here's your chance". I backed out of the garage, dropped the "blade" and pushed a 60" wide path 117 feet down the driveway & across the (unplowed) street. Smiling ear to ear I proceeded to plow the driveway in 15 min, put the tractor back in the garage and still got to work on time.
I didn't have time to take pictures or video yesterday, but we've got another 3-5" coming in tomorrow so I'll see what I can do.
Since grooving the tires we've received 10-15" of snow. Without a plow my only option was beat a path around the house. The grooved tires pushed through the drifts with ease. When I did spin the tires I would simply back up and make another pass at it. Once packed down it was as good as grass.
With confirmed snow traction my desire for a plow increased daily. With 10" -14" in the forecast I need a plow and I needed a plow Quick. With no time to fabricate a proper plow the focus shifted to how fast / how cheap can I push snow. That night I made a couple of inserts that would fit in my multi-hitch receivers and bolted on a 60" piece of 2x12. All in all, probably $30 bucks worth of materials and an hour to build.
Yesterday was the test. By the time I got home there was 10" on the ground and another 5" -7" expected over night. Eager to test it out I fired up the tractor and got plowin'. The 60" plow made quick work of the snow, plowing the driveway in 35 min (a 90 min job with the blower). With the driveway cleared I started on working on the path to the wood pile. Again the plow exceeded my expectations; I could push the 10" from today plus the 10" -15" already on the ground from previous storms.
This morning I was greeted by 5" of fresh snow SOAKED by a midnight rain. You know the kind of snow that's so dense you can walk across the top even when it's not frozen. Yea that stuff. Normally in a situation like this I'd call in late to work and spend a few hours clogging the snowblower, I mean clearing the driveway. However with the tractor sitting in the garage I turned around and said "here's your chance". I backed out of the garage, dropped the "blade" and pushed a 60" wide path 117 feet down the driveway & across the (unplowed) street. Smiling ear to ear I proceeded to plow the driveway in 15 min, put the tractor back in the garage and still got to work on time.
I didn't have time to take pictures or video yesterday, but we've got another 3-5" coming in tomorrow so I'll see what I can do.
pmsmechanic
Elite Member
- Joined
- Dec 6, 2013
- Messages
- 4,224
- Location
- Southern Alberta, Canada
- Tractor
- 4410 and F-935 John Deere, MF 245
I'm thinking that grooving your tires will improve traction in just about any situation without decreasing flotation at all. Good idea.
npalen
Elite Member
It would be interesting to see how a forstner type drill bit would work for "grooving". I'm thinking maybe a series of holes maybe 3/4" diameter at about 1/4" depth.
The forstner type bit, for those unfamiliar, is flat bottom. A depth stop on the bit would be almost a must, I'm sure.
Edit: Looks like I accidentally resurrected an old thread.
The forstner type bit, for those unfamiliar, is flat bottom. A depth stop on the bit would be almost a must, I'm sure.
Edit: Looks like I accidentally resurrected an old thread.
Last edited:
4570Man
Super Star Member
- Joined
- Apr 7, 2015
- Messages
- 18,491
- Location
- Crossville, TN
- Tractor
- Kubota M59, Kubota L3800, Grasshopper 428D, Topkick dump truck, 3500 dump truck, 10 ton trailer, more lighter trailers.
I'd say it would fail. A router might work though.
