GREENVILLE, S.C. — Michelin North America Inc. has increased the load-carrying capacity of its X Tweel Turf non-pneumatic tire/wheel product by nearly 20% to meet the changing needs of the commercial turf-care marketplace.
Michelin said it raised the load capacity for the tire/wheel hybrid, in size 26x12N12, to 1,031 pounds from 862 pounds as part of the launch of X Tweel Turf XL version.
The XL version is being offered in three hub configurations, designed to fit 4x4- and 5x4.5-inch bolt patterns for a variety of zero-turn-radius (ZTR) mowers. The XL size indicates a 26-inch outside diameter, 12-inch tread width and a 12-inch rim diameter equivalent.
The XL version retains all the benefits of the current Tweel it is replacing, according to Justin Brock, senior marketing manager, Michelin – Beyond Road Business Line. That includes consistent hub height — which helps ensure the mower deck produces an even cut — lateral stability on hillsides and sloped surfaces, operator comfort and no flats.
Among the vehicles Michelin is targeting with the XL version are: John Deere ZTrak Z997; Bad Boy Mowers Renegade Diesel and Renegade; Bobcat Predator-Pro 7000; Exmark Lazer X Diesel; Gravely PT600; Hustler Super Z Hyperdrive and Super 104; Kubota ZD1211, ZG327 and ZD1511; Scag Turf Tiger STTII; and Toro ZMaster 7500G & 7500D.
Michelin has been active with the Tweel in the turf-care field since 2014, when it developed a product for John Deere that it used exclusively for a few years. Michelin launched the product for other tractor makers in 2017 and broadened the portfolio in 2019 with the launch of 15- and 22-inch outside diameter sizes for zero-turn mowers at the Green Industry Expo in Louisville.
It recently promoted Home Depot Inc.'s decision to retrofit zero-turn mowers it rents through some of its stores with Tweel Turf tires in an effort to reduce service calls and customer complaints.
