Re: R4 Grooving

MacTractor · Dec 22, 2013

Re: R4 Grooving

I just wanted to post pictures of the recent grooving of my R4 tires. I can confirm that it does make a noticeable difference in the snow... Not a replacement for chains or maybe even R3's, but there is a difference.

I ended up doing the front the same as the rear as I figure that any biting edge will help with the R4's due to the stiffness of the rubber compound.

We are also under a major ice storm right now so I am also hoping they will be better here as well. I know chains are the best here but for me I was looking for an improvement, mostly in snow.

mfreund · Dec 22, 2013

Re: R4 Grooving

What did you use to make the cuts?

k0ua · Dec 22, 2013

Re: R4 Grooving

mfreund said:
What did you use to make the cuts?

here you go, although I bought one for less ... somewhere.. I can't remember the web site.. sorry.

Ideal Tire Groover : Amazon.com : Automotive

Norm W · Dec 22, 2013

Re: R4 Grooving

The electric tire groovers drove me nuts with the smell of burning rubber. I took an old panel cutter from my air chisel and sharpened the spur. It will cut a groove only as wide and deep as the spur, but it will do it with almost no effort or smell.

ovrszd · Dec 22, 2013

Re: R4 Grooving

Norm W said:
The electric tire groovers drove me nuts with the smell of burning rubber. I took an old panel cutter from my air chisel and sharpened the spur. It will cut a groove only as wide and deep as the spur, but it will do it with almost no effort or smell.

Hmmm. I've grooved dozens of Jeep/Buggy tires with a groover like k0ua posted and never noticed burning rubber smell. You gotta stop and sip a Beer every so often to let it heat up again, but then it just gets hard to push.