Michelin X® TWEEL™on Kubota vehicle
MICHELIN TWEEL: THE AIRLESS TYRE TECHNOLOGY
For years, traditional pneumatic tyres have been the only option for drivers seeking reliable and efficient mobility. However, with the introduction of the airless tyre, this has changed. The MICHELIN Tweel tyres represent a significant technological advancement in the tyre industry. Flatless tyres offer several advantages over traditional tyres and are compatible with a wide range of machines such as Commercial Mowers, Skid Steer Loaders (SSL) and other light construction equipment, Truck Mounted Forklifts (TMF), ATVs and UTVs, Golf and Utility Carts, and various military applications.
WHAT ARE AIRLESS TYRES?
Unlike traditional tyres, which are made of rubber and filled with compressed air, airless tyres use a special tread beam connected to a series of flexible spokes to support the weight of the vehicle from above.
This advancement made it possible to create a puncture-proof tyre that rides and drives like a pneumatic tyre rather than a solid tyre. The airless tyre Michelin is named: "TWEEL".
WHAT DOES “TWEEL” MEANS?
The term “TWEEL” is the specific name given to the Michelin airless tyre range. It is a portmanteau word which is composed of the English words “TYRE” and “WHEEL”. This concept was born in the Michelin research center in Greenville, South Carolina.
Edito tweel technology focus Help and Advice
HOW DO MICHELIN TWEEL TYRES WORK AND WHAT ARE THEY MADE OF?
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Accept youtube cookiesMICHELIN TWEEL is a complete, single piece, wheel and airless radial tyre fitted assembly.
The key components of this innovative solution are:
- Shear Beam with a tread optimised for long wear life in challenging conditions.
High impact resistance and flexible poly-resin spokes which carry weight in tension and absorb impacts, helping make the ride smoother, and provide an energy transfer that reduces tyre bounce.
- A reinforced steel hub to attach the Tweel to the machine.
This technology provides a cushioning effect that absorbs shocks and vibrations. The shear beam and spokes are designed to be flexible and deformable, which allows them to conform to the contours of the ground and provide excellent traction, grip and stability.
There is no need for special equipment to mount the assembly. Moreover, once fitted, there is no air pressure to maintain.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF MICHELIN AIRLESS TYRES?
Airless tyres, also known as non-pneumatic tyres (NPT), have several benefits over traditional pneumatic and solid tyres. Here are some of the main advantages:
No maintenance
NO MAINTENANCE
The Michelin X® TWEEL airless radial tyre is one single unit, replacing the current tyre and wheel assembly. There is no need for complex mounting equipment and once they are bolted on, there is no air pressure to maintain.
Maniability and stability
COMFORT AND STABILITY
The unique energy transfer within the poly-resin spokes helps reduce the “bounce” associated with pneumatic tyres and the harshness of solids, while providing outstanding comfort and handling characteristics.
No flat, no downtimes
NO FLAT, NO DOWNTIME
The MICHELIN X® TWEEL airless radial tyre is designed to perform like a pneumatic tyre, but without the inconvenience and downtime associated with flat tyres.
Long lasting tire
ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY TYRE
Airless tyres will allow you to reduce premature tyre failures due to, for example, an irreparable puncture, and increase tread life by 2-3 times pneumatics.
WHICH MACHINES ARE COMPATIBLE WITH THE MICHELIN TWEEL?
Our MICHELIN X® TWEEL can be fitted to your commercial off-road vehicles in the following five main segments. Moreover, the airless tyres are particularly efficient and recommended for use on rough terrain where you need to maintain grip to keep control, and not worry about getting a tyre puncture.
Turf airless radial tire
Commercial Lawn Mowers
MICHELIN X® TWEEL TURF: Airless Radial tyres for Commercial Lawn Mowers and other turf care machines
UTV Airless Tires
All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) & Utility Terrain Vehicles (UTV)
MICHELIN X® TWEEL UTV: Airless Radial tyres for Side by Sides, Quads, and Military Equipment
MICHELIN Tweel for light construction
Skid Steer Loaders and light construction equipment
MICHELIN X® TWEEL SSL: Airless Radial tyres for Skid Steer Loaders and light construction equipment
MICHELIN X® TWEEL™: Golf Cart & Utility vehicles
Golf Cars & Utility Carts
MICHELIN X® TWEEL TURF: Airless tyres for Golf Cars & Utility Carts
Tweel for Truck Mounted Forklifts
Truck Mounted Forklifts
MICHELIN X® TWEEL TMF: Airless tyres for Truck Mounted Forklifts
DISCOVER MICHELIN X® TWEEL TYRE RANGES FOR SALE IN UK
Our different Tweel ranges are designed to adapt to your different needs and off-road machines such as skid steer loader, material handling vehicles, UTV, ... Discover our ranges:
NO AIR TYRES FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)
Tweel tyres represent a significant technological progress in the tyre industry and have been performing successfully in the market since 2012. This alternative to traditional tyre allows us to consider a more environmental friendly mobility, better fuel efficiency, more durable tyre and especially no puncture tyres.
High-performance compounds and an efficient contact patch designed to provide a long wear life that is 2-3 times that of a pneumatic tyre at equal tread depth.
Our Michelin innovative airless technology adapted for a wider range of off-road vehicles, the MICHELIN X® TWEEL, is available for sale on the market since 2012.
Airless tyres, also known as non-pneumatic tyres, are designed to eliminate the need for air pressure maintenance. However, like any other "conventional" tyre, airless tyres still require some inspection to ensure proper performance and longevity. For example, tread wear, debris and dirt, vehicle alignment, load capacity, and storage.
A technician can repair partially torn spokes by blunting the polyurethane crack tip to arrest further crack propagation, and once repaired, this can potentially double the life of the torn or cut spoke.
Would you like more information on airless tyres? Have you been convinced to change to MICHELIN Tweel? Contact us!
MICHELIN UPTIS prototype
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