Airless Tires for Golf Carts
Chuck Heschmeyer | February 10, 2017Airless vehicle tires have arrived, but, for now, they’ll only get you around the golf course.
The X Tweel Turf is designed to replace tire, wheel and valve assembly. Michelin Tweel Technologies has rolled out its X Tweel Turf, an airless radial tire designed to replace the standard front and rear tires on both gas- and electric-powered golf carts.
The X Tweel Turf is a single unit designed to replace the tire, wheel, and valve assembly. It performs like a conventional pneumatic tire, but because the tire is airless, there’s no risk of a flat, no air pressure to maintain, and no need to carry spare tires, tools or repair kits.
The wheel itself is heavy-gauge steel with a four-bolt hub pattern to accommodate a variety of golf cart models. The unit’s poly-resin spokes are designed to help dampen the ride and reduce bounce when driving over gravel, bumps and uneven pavement. They also provide for improved side-hill stability, Michelin says.
The polyurethane tire’s multi-directional tread pattern improves traction, prevents turf damage, and promotes longer wear life.
The tires are built for a maximum speed of 25 mph and can support a load of up to 700 pounds, Michelin says.
I'll be interested when they build a successful airless tire for bicycles.