Traction Tire Swap - R-14 Versa Turf In - R-4 Out

[polarred21]

Nice update. Thanks

 

[coolconnection]

I didn't know until after I bought my tractor about versa turfs. I am not disappointed about it and it wasn't an option to upgrade them when I bought it. I did the tire grooving thing and I have tremendous traction with the R4s and I think better than my last tractor with the turf tires in the snow. I have hills I mow and the R4s have thicker sidewalls so it helps to keep the tractor from squiggling around on those side slopes.

 

[LittleBill21]

I didn't know until after I bought my tractor about versa turfs. I am not disappointed about it and it wasn't an option to upgrade them when I bought it. I did the tire grooving thing and I have tremendous traction with the R4s and I think better than my last tractor with the turf tires in the snow. I have hills I mow and the R4s have thicker sidewalls so it helps to keep the tractor from squiggling around on those side slopes.

did u do it yourself? if so what tool did you use?

 

[coolconnection]

did u do it yourself? if so what tool did you use?

Yes I did it myself and it isn’t that hard to do, just take your time. I used an Ideal Tire Groover. I found it on eBay used for $10 plus $5 shipping. Usually they have a 1/4” cutting blade but this one has a 3/16” knife head. Bought some new blades for it for $7 on eBay as well. It’s is an older tire groover but it works and looks like new after cleaning it up.

 

[irvingj]

What's a groover look like?

And -- thanks for the update on the Versa-Turfs!

 

[LittleBill21]

Yes I did it myself and it isn’t that hard to do, just take your time. I used an Ideal Tire Groover. I found it on eBay used for $10 plus $5 shipping. Usually they have a 1/4” cutting blade but this one has a 3/16” knife head. Bought some new blades for it for $7 on eBay as well. It’s is an older tire groover but it works and looks like new after cleaning it up.

thats a **** of a deal, they are over 100 new. used is 80, do you have pics of the tires?

 

[coolconnection]

What's a groover look like?

Rear grooved tire, Older Ideal Tire groover and then the front tire grooved.

 

[irvingj]

So it's heated! What, a combination of melting/cutting? Thanks for the pic; I'd never seen one of those before.

 

[LittleBill21]

View attachment 685410View attachment 685411View attachment 685412

Rear grooved tire, Older Ideal Tire groover and then the front tire grooved.

that looks awesome, how many blades did you go through? how much of a increase would you say you gained, i did my first snow plowing last night and with 4x4 and diff lock and loaded tires and a backhoe hanging off the back i was still sliding all over the place.

 

[LittleBill21]

that looks awesome, how many blades did you go through? how much of a increase would you say you gained, i did my first snow plowing last night and with 4x4 and diff lock and loaded tires and a backhoe hanging off the back i was still sliding all over the place.

well i bought one for 85 bucks #4 blade.