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

[Buggs67]

Based upon GarandMan's last picture maybe some sipes would improve snow traction as well. I always thought of them as a feature to improve wet road traction but you can see the snow packed into the sipes also.

 

[Garandman]

Don’t think siping would work as well on R4’s. Sipes bend forward or back under load to create additional edges into snow and ice. Then the wearing of the tire “resharpens” the edges.

The R4 blocks are so massive not sure you could get that to work. The local tire dealer recommended studs, which can be inserted if you don’t groove the tires. For folks running on paved drives that may not be an option. We ended up with chains so I could work in the woods.

 

[dnw64]

Summary: you have not tried this yourself and thus dismiss the effort.

I have tried it, and have empirical proof the technique is an improvement: I couldn稚 push snow up the hill in my driveway before I grooved the tires. After grooving, I could. See where the snow is sticking?

Winter tires have special tread compounds, but that is not the entire story. They also have different tread geometry.

"like"

 

[Buggs67]

Don’t think siping would work as well on R4’s. Sipes bend forward or back under load to create additional edges into snow and ice. Then the wearing of the tire “resharpens” the edges.

The R4 blocks are so massive not sure you could get that to work. The local tire dealer recommended studs, which can be inserted if you don’t groove the tires. For folks running on paved drives that may not be an option. We ended up with chains so I could work in the woods.

:thumbsup:

 

[check]

I sure could have used something on my R4’s this weekend. We had a nice quack of snow, but underneath where is sheer ice, because it had rained earlier and then frozen before the snow came.

If it were not for the fact that the snow was very light, I would’ve gotten nowhere!

I do have chains, but they are such a pain to put on!

 

[msdmopar]

I have been running Jeeps and trucks off road for years and started grooving and siping my mud tires. While not noticing any difference in mud, but definitely noticed a difference on hard packed, wet and snowy trails. After making it through obstacles that previously I coudn't, it told me it was the tire mods. I have been planning on trying this for some time on my r-4's. I am glad I came across this thread to reinforce my thoughts on this. I understand the softness of the winter tire, but it's also about adding more edges, which makes total sense. Great job on this mod guys, but my snow season is almost over. I will do this this summer.

 

[dragoneggs]

I have been running Jeeps and trucks off road for years and started grooving and siping my mud tires. While not noticing any difference in mud, but definitely noticed a difference on hard packed, wet and snowy trails. After making it through obstacles that previously I coudn't, it told me it was the tire mods. I have been planning on trying this for some time on my r-4's. I am glad I came across this thread to reinforce my thoughts on this. I understand the softness of the winter tire, but it's also about adding more edges, which makes total sense. Great job on this mod guys, but my snow season is almost over. I will do this this summer.

I think me too... I'm too lazy to go back and find a link to a good tool. Could someone post?

 

[dnw64]

This is the one I got:
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B004AW7XYU/ref=oh_aui_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I loaned it out to e fellow TBNer and just got it back today, in fact.

I am happy to loan it out to others for cost of shipping. PM me if interested.

 

[dragoneggs]

This is the one I got:
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B004AW7XYU/ref=oh_aui_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I loaned it out to e fellow TBNer and just got it back today, in fact.

I am happy to loan it out to others for cost of shipping. PM me if interested.

I will likely take you up on that offer... but I am going to wait for warmer weather. I think the snow is past us but this seems more appropriately, a summer time job. Thank you for the offer! I need to bookmark this somehow.

 

[k0ua]

I will likely take you up on that offer... but I am going to wait for warmer weather. I think the snow is past us but this seems more appropriately, a summer time job. Thank you for the offer! I need to bookmark this somehow.

The hotter the tire the better from my experience doing my old Kubota. Leave them out in the summer sun and then start in.

 

[dragoneggs]

The hotter the tire the better from my experience doing my old Kubota. Leave them out in the summer sun and then start in.

Kinda what I am thinking. Being here in the PNW, my window of opportunity is mid July and to mid August. :laughing:

 

[clarky711]

I'm willing to loan mine out for cost of shipping both ways as well.

Thanks again, it worked out great. Putting a propane salamander in front of each tire for a few minutes certainly made it easier.

I’ve noticed improved traction with my L3540 (loader rears and 6’ inverted blower on back) on our long hilly blacktopped driveway for sure. Where I used to need to engage the differential lock to push snow uphill (and still struggle), I can easily go up without it. Better on the trails too.

 

[dragoneggs]

Thanks again, it worked out great. Putting a propane salamander in front of each tire for a few minutes certainly made it easier.

I’ve noticed improved traction with my L3540 (loader rears and 6’ inverted blower on back) on our long hilly blacktopped driveway for sure. Where I used to need to engage the differential lock to push snow uphill (and still struggle), I can easily go up without it. Better on the trails too.

View attachment 592905View attachment 592906

Good to know... that is exactly what I have a newly paved steep blacktopped shared driveway... about 800ft or so.

 

[Garandman]

Found my tire groover in the garage in NH, if anyone wants to borrow it.

Bought Ofa chains a few years ago.

 

[NEPA guy]

The compound of rubber is what makes a snow tire, a snow tire. Grooving is futile.

 

[kennyd]

Grooving is futile.

100% fake news there.

 

[dragoneggs]

The compound of rubber is what makes a snow tire, a snow tire. Grooving is futile.

Put slicks on and report back.

 

[RjCorazza]

The compound of rubber is what makes a snow tire, a snow tire. Grooving is futile.

My experience has been different.

 

[MAX-24-Dean]

In my personal experience grooving the R4 tires for snow removal made it so I did not have to use chains.

Grooving of tires gave me more traction in the snow, Your mileage may very.
My statement is subjective, but is based on my personal experence.

Thank you Gladehound for starting this thread, it changed the capabilty of my tractor for the better when operating my tractor in the snow.

 

[MAX-24-Dean]

My plan is to both groove and sipe my R-4's for better traction. This evening, I did the grooving part. 20 minutes for the first rear tire, 15 minutes for the second (since I had some practice on the first). Here are some pictures of what I did. I'm hoping this improves snow traction some.

When I get a chance I will sipe them on either side of the grooves for even better traction in hard packed snow/ice. The theory is, the more biting edges the better the snow/ice traction.

It's snowing now, I'll see how they go in the morning!

Great theory, it worked for me.