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 percent 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.
