Michelin has opened its new ‘MICHELIN X TWEEL Airless Radial Tyre’ plant in North America for commercial applications. The TWEEL tyre comprises a rigid hub connected to a shear beam by means of flexible, deformable polyurethane spokes, all functioning as a single unit.
Unlike conventional tyres, the TWEEL has no air, thereby solving what had seemed to be the unavoidable challenge of chronic flat tires that plagues the landscape, construction, contracting, refuse/recycling and agricultural industries.
"The TWEEL concept was born at Michelin Americas Research Company in Greenville, S.C., one of Michelin’s three global technology centers, and now the Tweel will be manufactured right here in the Greenville area to satisfy a growing commercial market." said Pete Selleck, Michelin North America Chairman and President
The new plant gives Michelin the ability to boost output of its award-winning MICHELIN X TWEEL SSL skid-steer tires and begin production of the new MICHELIN X TWEEL TURF as original equipment for John Deere to equip its ZTRAK 900 Series line-up of zero-turn commercial mowers.
"The TWEEL airless radial tire enables Michelin to enter new markets and expand its reach in existing business segments within the low-speed application category. The industry is hungry for solutions contributing to productivity, safety and bottom lines. Serving our customers is at the center of our strategy for success,” concluded Ralph Dimenna, head of Michelin Tweel Technologies.
