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

[pipedin]

Has anyone done both grooving and studs on R4 tires?

I do have chains (H pattern) and wheel spacers (partly for the wider stance, and partly to fit chains) but the ride with chains is very rough - I find it really hard on my back (especially on top of twisting around in the seat to drive backwards with the snowblower) plus it does tend to make the snowblower or FEL (backdragging) dig in and and make a lot of bumps.

I have a fairly steep hill on my driveway so I'm not sure grooving alone would do as we tend to get freezing rain or rain on snow fairly often so ice is a concern. And the hill is up from the road to the house/garage so if I got stuck at the bottom of the hill it would be a real pain to have to drag the chains all the way down the hill and put them on in the rain so I could get the tractor back up the hill. I will say this tractor is a major step up from the 40" snowblower I used to have on the lawn tractor (turfs, weights, and smooth-ish 2-bar chains) and takes less then half the time to do the job but the odd time the lawn tractor got stuck I could just pick up one end and move it over.

I was thinking maybe an interrupted groove with studs in the space between the groove but wondered if anyone had tried something like this?

Peter

 

[TSO]

Just finished grooving my tires... Desperately needed it!

 

[lt190b]

TSO, is that a different pattern than on your LS? If it is, your review will be interesting.

 

[TSO]

I never grooved the LS, but I did do the other Massey. I basically followed the tread shape before, with just one groove in the middle of the lug.

This time I decided to just do horizontal grooves since the tires are basically moving straight anyhow. Plus it allowed me to add additional grooves on the rear

 

[teg]

...with just one groove in the middle of the lug...

This is what I have now (sorry no photos) and plans to add extra straight across grooves, if needed... let us know how this works out.

 

[tcreeley]

Use chains?

 

[avc8130]

Use chains?

Not really the point of this thread, but thanks. :confused3:

 

[avc8130]

Use chains?

Not really the point of this thread, but thanks. :confused3:

 

[PhysAssist]

Not really the point of this thread, but thanks. :confused3:

Speaking to TCreeley:

It's actually the the antipode of this thread.

Some of us need better winter traction, but CAN'T use chains for fear of damaging either our [or maybe more often, our clients'/customers'/family's] -pavement- whether blacktop or concrete.

Do you have any useful suggestions for people with these circumstances?

I really don't think so, and [really speaking only for myself] -those of us having a useful interchange about what does work don't see the point of you coming in here and trolling us.

 

[Boris1]

Ok, been following this thread since its start and have trying to get up the nerve to carve up my expensive tires. After this last storm with its 30" of snow I figured it was time to give it a try before resigning to the occasional chain usage (which I don't want to use on asphalt) I only did one front tire and it took longer than I anticipated but attributed it to the air temp (40) and it being my fist try at it. I put some dots on the tire for reference but did it mostly freehand. 3 more to go

 

[KenB2920]

Ok, been following this thread since its start and have trying to get up the nerve to carve up my expensive tires. After this last storm with its 30" of snow I figured it was time to give it a try before resigning to the occasional chain usage (which I don't want to use on asphalt) I only did one front tire and it took longer than I anticipated but attributed it to the air temp (40) and it being my fist try at it. I put some dots on the tire for reference but did it mostly freehand. 3 more to go

Looks great!!!

 

[Kubota 2350]

Ok, been following this thread since its start and have trying to get up the nerve to carve up my expensive tires. After this last storm with its 30" of snow I figured it was time to give it a try before resigning to the occasional chain usage (which I don't want to use on asphalt) I only did one front tire and it took longer than I anticipated but attributed it to the air temp (40) and it being my fist try at it. I put some dots on the tire for reference but did it mostly freehand. 3 more to go

Any follow up pictures?

Looks like your doing a great job, wondering how much difference it makes?

 

[Boris1]

Any follow up pictures? Looks like your doing a great job, wondering how much difference it makes?

I completed the 2nd front tire Sunday, naturally it went much smoother due to a little exp & warmer temperatures. Prior to that I did get a chance to do a little FEL work with the one front left tire done. It was in the shadiest part of my drive way and very icy and I want to say it helped because the tires usually spin a good bit when changing directions. I didn't see that happening as much. It looks as though that may be the last time this winter I'll get to test them because it 60 today. That being said I like the theory & early results so far to probably do the back tires at some point. I will try and post a pic of the other tire when I get a chance. Hope this helps.

Matt

 

[Boris1]

Here's a pic of the 2nd tire, took a 1/3 of time as the 1st.

 

[srs]

Boris1, looks great. Stanley

 

[PhysAssist]

Here's a pic of the 2nd tire, took a 1/3 of time as the 1st.

Looks like a precision tire milling machine did that.

 

[Boris1]

Looks like a precision tire milling machine did that.

I don't know that I'd say that but thanks

 

[PhysAssist]

I don't know that I'd say that but thanks

If you said it, it'd be interpreted as bragging- but you ARE allowed to think it.

I said it, and therefore in my unhumble opinion, it is entirely true.

Finally- you're welcome.

Thank YOU for giving me some new ideas about how to possibly manage grooving my tires in an even and measured manner- as opposed to the wavy lines I expect to see

[No, I still haven't gotten that magical coin yet...].

The roundtuit...

 

[dragoneggs]

Here's a pic of the 2nd tire, took a 1/3 of time as the 1st.

Wow! Indeed nice job Boris... you said in an earlier post you used white dots and 'mostly' freehand. Did you sometimes use a straight edge? If so, did that speed things up? Seeing yours I am encouraged to try myself if I can get my hands on a tool.

 

[PhysAssist]

Wow! Indeed nice job Boris... you said in an earlier post you used white dots and 'mostly' freehand. Did you sometimes use a straight edge? If so, did that speed things up? Seeing yours I am encouraged to try myself if I can get my hands on a tool.

See- told you so!

:thumbsup:

Own it, man, own it...

:mischievous:

Believe you me, not all commentary of mine [nor anyone else's] here is necessarily complementary*- although I personally DO try to remember the golden rule.

*Hence the lack of [m]any project picture posts by me...

I know that I'm at best a hack artist & chainsaw carpenter.