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The tweel deforms to adapt to its environment

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.

SUMMARY

Airless tyre mounted on a greenspace maintenance vehicle KUBOTA

The Michelin TWEEL tyre in field

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?

Michelin Tweel Family of Products

MICHELIN 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 air pressure to maintain thanks to Tweel

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.

Enjoy Maniability and stability thanks to tweel

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 more flat tires thanks to Tweel

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.

Reduce premature tyre wear thanks to Tweel

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.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs) ON AIRLESS TYRES 

ARE AIRLESS TYRES GOOD?

Tweel tyres represent a significant technological progress in the tire industry and have been performing successfully in the market since 2012. This alternative to traditional tyre allows us to make fuel efficiency, consider more durable tyre and especially no puncture tyres.

HOW LONG DO AIRLESS TYRES LAST?

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.

WHEN WILL BE MICHELIN AIRLESS TYRES AVAILABLE?

Our Michelin innovative technology, the Tweel, is available for sale on the market, in several countries, since 2012. In Middle East, the MICHELIN Twee airless tyre is not yet on the market.


You want to know more about the different MICHELIN technologies?

Discover all MICHELIN technologies

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