Siping / Regrooving Tool

[yooperdave]

What is everyone using to put sipes into their R4 tires? Do you need heat in the tip to burn the rubber?

Part 2: How big of grooves are recommended? How deep? U shaped or V shaped?

Pictures of the finished product is appreciated!

TIA

Yooper Dave

 

[Shawn T. W.]

@dnw64 may loan you his if you ask nice !

But, yes, you need heat to make it work, besides a sharp blade ...

 

[dnw64]

Yes, I have a groover and am willing to lend it to TBN users for the cost of shipping. Send me your info if interested.

 

[old and tired]

Yes, heat is used... better to do it in the summer when tires are warm!!! I used #4 which I think are 1/4" wide and deep...

Link below is what I bought, I just redid mine not so long ago.

Boy has the prices gone up, this is NOT where I bought mine but it's the closest thing I could find. (this is just what mine looks like):

125 Grooving Iron Tool, Tire Groover, Siping, Siper Cutting

Race Parts Sign’s Banners and more

hounshellmotorsports.com

 

[RjCorazza]

What is everyone using to put sipes into their R4 tires? Do you need heat in the tip to burn the rubber?

Part 2: How big of grooves are recommended? How deep? U shaped or V shaped?

Pictures of the finished product is appreciated!

TIA

Yooper Dave

I used an Ideal Tire Groover with the #4 blade. It cuts a "U" shaped groove, and the depth is adjustable.

 

[Herzog]

I used an Ideal Tire Groover with the #4 blade. It cuts a "U" shaped groove, and the depth is adjustable.

I have the same groover. The trick is to allow it to fully heat up, usually about 15 minutes with the tip pointing up.
Also, a forced air heater to preheat the tire helps a ton.

I did #4 on the rear tires and #3 on the fronts

 

[anomad]

What kind of traction increase are ya'll seeing from cutting your tires? I might be lucky to get enough snow to push once or twice a year around here. Wonder if it is worth considering?

 

[RjCorazza]

What kind of traction increase are ya'll seeing from cutting your tires? I might be lucky to get enough snow to push once or twice a year around here. Wonder if it is worth considering?

I notice a significant difference in traction, plus it makes chains unnecessary for my use in plowing 15 or so long rural driveways.
Grooves are not going to out perform chains though.
My customer base will not tolerate chains unless absolutely necessary.

 

[kennyd]

I found a remarkable increase in traction when I grooved my tires, my friends that borrowed my tool (The Ideal one mentioned above) once they saw my tires saw the same.

I do three neighbors drives on hills, and very rarely need to use chains.

View attachment IMG_4844.JPG

 

[Too many Kubotas]

Grooving tires can definitely improve traction and conformability, if done correctly.

Plus it's fun. Well, for the first 10 minutes anyway...on the first tire.