I have lost several tools over the years because I'd forgotten who borrowed them. The most costly items were a 32' fiberglass extension ladder, a 2-bottom plow and a large set of John Deere discs.
Snow Equipment Owning/Operating Cutting / Groving / Siping R-4 for snow
- Thread starter gladehound
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I have lost several tools over the years because I'd forgotten who borrowed them. The most costly items were a 32' fiberglass extension ladder, a 2-bottom plow and a large set of John Deere discs.
chim
Elite Member
About 2-1/2 hours today and all 4 tires are grooved. All it took was a borrowed groover, a bottle jack, a chunk of 4x4 and a nephew. For the front tires it was easy enough to lift each end of the axle enough so the wheel could spin. Then just kick the 4x4 chock either in front or behind the tire depending on which lug was being grooved.
The rears were a little more difficult. With the range selector in neutral, the tires spun easily and weren't as simple to chock. Engaged, the tires were hard to turn, and only wanted to spin forward. Then my nephew stopped in with a bottle of water for me and wanted to see how things were going. He was happy to hit/release the brakes as I turned the wheel and grooved each lug. That helped me complete the job in a fraction of the time.
The rears were a little more difficult. With the range selector in neutral, the tires spun easily and weren't as simple to chock. Engaged, the tires were hard to turn, and only wanted to spin forward. Then my nephew stopped in with a bottle of water for me and wanted to see how things were going. He was happy to hit/release the brakes as I turned the wheel and grooved each lug. That helped me complete the job in a fraction of the time.
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Dakota_male
Silver Member
- Joined
- Feb 6, 2009
- Messages
- 183
- Location
- Chance Harbour,Nova Scotia
- Tractor
- Massey Ferguson 2850M Cab/ Takeuchi TB225,TBL;Club cadet RTZ S 46
Nice clean cuts, you will notice a big improvement of snow traction especially when steering during plowing .
RjCorazza
Elite Member
Nice clean job! I never got around to doing the fronts on my tractor, but did the same one cut on the fronts of my previous tractor.
FreedomFamilyFarms
Silver Member
Considering this option. Spent 3 hours plowing today. We only got around 5 inches and I had the base already packed (crushed limestone) with snow from earlier this week but the wind was out of the north all night and I had big drifts to deal with. Couldn't get enough bite in many places to get the snow off the drive. Ended up using the loader in the deeper stuff as the rear blade kept filling and the tires would spin. I'm certainly no expert as this is probably the first "real" snow we've had since I moved here. Was a good day to learn as I didn't have to rush anywhere. Lots of adjustments to blade angle, etc. to see what worked best. Eventually I got everything cleared out.
Debating between: 1. Do nothing, keep learning 2. Order chains and 3. Groove the R4s. I need to call the dealer tomorrow to see if chains are even an option without spacers. That may decide for me as spacers will nearly double the price of adding rear chains.
Debating between: 1. Do nothing, keep learning 2. Order chains and 3. Groove the R4s. I need to call the dealer tomorrow to see if chains are even an option without spacers. That may decide for me as spacers will nearly double the price of adding rear chains.
dnw64
Veteran Member
You probably can put low profile traditional ladder style chains on without spacers, but a B series will almost certainly not fit the "good" (Euro style) chains on R4s without spacers.
FreedomFamilyFarms
Silver Member
Spoke to the folks at Aquiline today. The MPC chains require 2” on top and 3” on side. I have 3” on top and just shy of 2” on side so spacers would be needed.
Bro Tec 2” spacers $320 shipped
Aquiline MPCs for rears (12.4-16) $527 shipped from Ken Jones.
Looking at a minimum of $850 for chains installed myself. Tires are loaded already so this may be a job for the tire shop...
I do have plans to start fetching firewood on my 10 acre wood lot. Would love some opinions. I have the CFOs blessing on chains but I’m a cheapskate.
Bro Tec 2” spacers $320 shipped
Aquiline MPCs for rears (12.4-16) $527 shipped from Ken Jones.
Looking at a minimum of $850 for chains installed myself. Tires are loaded already so this may be a job for the tire shop...
I do have plans to start fetching firewood on my 10 acre wood lot. Would love some opinions. I have the CFOs blessing on chains but I’m a cheapskate.
LouNY
Super Star Member
- Joined
- Jul 4, 2015
- Messages
- 14,357
- Location
- Greenwich, NY
- Tractor
- Branson 8050, IH 574, Oliver 1550 Diesel Utility (traded in on Branson) NH 8160. Kioti CK2620SECH
If you are contemplating going out into the woods with your tractor when you need chains I would certainly recommend the Talons over the MPC's
I would expect the required clearences are similar and the Talon's are much sturdier chain.
Lou
dnw64
Veteran Member
No big deal. I R/R'd my loaded B3030 12.4-16 R4s myself, no problem. OK, a little extra care was required - mostly getting the axels at exactly the right height. Moving the loaded tire was no problem whatsoever - in fact I tried leaning it against a wall and it just stood up all by itself...
WALT
Gold Member
I finally have had some snow to report on whether the grooving has worked for me.
As long as I keep some weight on the front tires by not floating the blade, the grooving is a big improvement in traction.
My first two November 2018 storms were before grooving, and only by applying the rear brakes was I able to keep it straight.
As my new driveway is paved, I also removed my skid shoes, allowing the blade to scrape the pavement clean.
On my old gravel driveway, I kept the plow up an inch with the skid shoes to keep the gravel on the driveway, instead of the lawn.
All in all, it has been $80.00 (groover) and time well spent.
Live Free or Die:
WALT
As long as I keep some weight on the front tires by not floating the blade, the grooving is a big improvement in traction.
My first two November 2018 storms were before grooving, and only by applying the rear brakes was I able to keep it straight.
As my new driveway is paved, I also removed my skid shoes, allowing the blade to scrape the pavement clean.
On my old gravel driveway, I kept the plow up an inch with the skid shoes to keep the gravel on the driveway, instead of the lawn.
All in all, it has been $80.00 (groover) and time well spent.
Live Free or Die:
WALT
FreedomFamilyFarms
Silver Member
Thanks WALT for the timely reply.
Ordered the Ideal Tire Groover from Amazon. For chains and spacers I was in for $740 minimum (did some more shopping around) plus the bi-annual commitment to put the chains on and take them off. Ultimately, I figured I might want to groove the front tires eventually for better steering and grab in 4WD so I figured I may as well just start there...
Grandman's old posts seemed to indicate he was happy with the grooves on the driveway but needed more grab in the woods. Lou's feedback on Talons vs MPCs made me wonder if the MPCs would be all-purpose enough for my needs. Local Kubota dealer said they only sell a set of chains or two a year so probably not something I NEED right now in my area.
Will post back with pics when completed.
Ordered the Ideal Tire Groover from Amazon. For chains and spacers I was in for $740 minimum (did some more shopping around) plus the bi-annual commitment to put the chains on and take them off. Ultimately, I figured I might want to groove the front tires eventually for better steering and grab in 4WD so I figured I may as well just start there...
Grandman's old posts seemed to indicate he was happy with the grooves on the driveway but needed more grab in the woods. Lou's feedback on Talons vs MPCs made me wonder if the MPCs would be all-purpose enough for my needs. Local Kubota dealer said they only sell a set of chains or two a year so probably not something I NEED right now in my area.
Will post back with pics when completed.
FreedomFamilyFarms
Silver Member
Test run on a pair of shoes, grooves and siping with blade turned over.
chim
Elite Member
Looks terrific! You'll be really happy with the added traction. A real benefit is that since you won't need chains, you won't need to add spacers to your ankles for clearance issues.
avc8130
Platinum Member
Brilliant!
FreedomFamilyFarms
Silver Member
First rear completed. Heater buddy makes a big difference.
FreedomFamilyFarms
Silver Member
Rear #2 complete
FreedomFamilyFarms
Silver Member
Front #1 complete. Much easier than rears.
FreedomFamilyFarms
Silver Member
Final tire. All posts real time. If you have an option, do this on a hot sunny summer day.
Groovy!!!
Groovy!!!
FreedomFamilyFarms
Silver Member
Got the iron too hot at some point.
FreedomFamilyFarms
Silver Member
First run: 2 inches of fresh powder on a bed of ice. MUCH better traction. Slipped laterally a couple times but not enough to consider additional grooves just yet. Was able to move snow up some grades I’ve never been able to climb with a loaded blade before.
