GREENVILLE, S.C. — Michelin North America Inc., in partnership with logistics specialist Hiab (USA Inc., is breaking into anew segment with its nonpneumatic Tweel tire/wheel with the launch of the X Tweel TMF for truck-mounted forklifts.
With a load capacity of 5,310 pounds, X Tweel TMF features a solid structure that is designed to bend when encountering an obstacle, enveloping it and allowing the tire to roll on unscathed. By design, Michelin said, X Tweel TMF offers a "smooth, comfortable ride with excellent load stability."
The new design also incorporates an all-terrain tread pattern, providing traction on any surface.
"The Michelin X Tweel TMF tire is designed to eliminate downtime, with its no-flat construction and improve machinery stability with handling heavy loads, while maintaining excellent traction and operator comfort," Michelin said.
Michelin worked with Hiab to develop a specific size — 31.5 x13-16.5 and 31x15.5-15 — for the forklifts designed to be attached to flat-bed trucks. The application was field tested by Mans Lumber & Millwork.
As of March 20, those sized Tweels will be available as an OE option for Hiab's Moffett M8 NX and Princeton PB55+ Series forklifts. Because the tires are reversible, they can be used in any of the three wheel positions.
"The opportunity to expand Michelin's airless radial tire technology into this new segment — where machine uptime is critical for efficient material handling and delivery — is an important partnership for Moffett and Michelin," Tony Marconi, business director for Michelin Tweel Technologies said.
