Does tire grooving really work?

[ayak]

Works especially well in wet/packed snow.

 

[GreensvilleJay]

Ok, so does anyone sell tires 'pregrooved' ?

 

[BAP]

Ok, so does anyone sell tires 'pregrooved' ?

Yeah, they are called R-14 tires

 

[GreensvilleJay]

Hmm, anyone KNOW if they're better on pavement than the the 'industrial' type that came on my BX23S ?

 

[je1279]

Hmm, anyone KNOW if they're better on pavement than the the 'industrial' type that came on my BX23S ?

The R14's have a center lug that makes riding on pavement more enjoyable than on R4's.

 

[McMXi]

The R14's have a center lug that makes riding on pavement more enjoyable than on R4's.

When it's time to replace the tires on the MX I'll be looking at R14s for sure, assuming that they're still around. I took some design cues from the R14 tire when I grooved the MX R4 tires. The grooved lug is better able to mold itself to the terrain compared to a solid lug.

 

[skeets]

How long did it take to cut the groves in the lugs like you did ?

 

[L35]

I need some grooves in my life. R4 on snow stink.

 

[McMXi]

How long did it take to cut the groves in the lugs like you did ?

If you're asking me probably three to four hours for all four tires, but I did it in stages.

 

[pokey1416]

The only advantage I have heard of R4 over R14 is wear and sidewall strength. I haven't confirmed this but I have spent considerable time on construction sites and have yet to suffer a flat (probably just jinxed myself). When I got my tractor in early summer 2020 the dealer told me they didn't have R14 tires yet available for the Grand L 60 series, I don't know if that has changed by now?

 

[mikester]

The only advantage I have heard of R4 over R14 is wear and sidewall strength. I haven't confirmed this but I have spent considerable time on construction sites and have yet to suffer a flat (probably just jinxed myself). When I got my tractor in early summer 2020 the dealer told me they didn't have R14 tires yet available for the Grand L 60 series, I don't know if that has changed by now?

Check with your Ag tire suppliers instead of the tractor dealers

 

[Orange man]

When it's time to replace the tires on the MX I'll be looking around. I took some design cues from the R14 tire when I grooved the MX R4 tires. The grooved lug is better able to mold itself to the terrain compared to a solid lug.

View attachment 146783

View attachment 146784

The tires in the top picture are not r14, they are the new r4 tires.

 

[McMXi]

The tires in the top picture are not r14, they are the new r4 tires.

Oops .... here's the R14 tread pattern. Sorry about that. I grabbed this image from an online tire retailer so assume that it's correct.

 

[imarobot]

Looking to buy a tire groover. Is the Ideal Grooving Tool good? It's one of cheapest & simple type I found but only 250W. Most others are 350-1000W. Does the Ideal generate enough heat to easily groove tires?
Or if anyone could recommend other better brands I'm all ears!

 

[D2Cat]

I think mine is 250W, and it worked fine. I'll double check that when I can. The rate you push the tool and the sharpness of the blade determines the ease of the cut. When the sun is shining on a hot day makes quicker/easier work then in an ice storm!

I have grooved a few tires and still on the original blade. It is the Ideal groover.

 

[old and tired]

Works fine as long as you are not in sub-freezing temps! For the price, 250w is just fine... I would buy the better ones, if I were setting up a business, grooving tires...

I touched up mine last year and will need new tires within a couple years... so it's not something you'll be using a lot.

 

[Kennyd4110]

Is the Ideal Grooving Tool good?

It's pretty much the standard I think, mine has dome countless tires in it's life.