skippydiesel Posted October 11 Posted October 11 (edited) Could these have an application for small aircraft ????;😈 https://www.michelin.com.au/michelintweel/turf-care The small ones are about $216 US Edited October 11 by skippydiesel
onetrack Posted October 11 Posted October 11 The turf equipment tweels are rated for a maximum speed of 25mph (40kmh), and the tweels for ATV/UTV's are rated for a maximum speed of 50mph (80kmh). No model of tweel is approved for highway use yet. There's a considerable increase in rolling resistance with a tweel, as compared to a pneumatic tyre. So, I'd have to opine that tweels are unsuitable for any aircraft. The fact that the manufacturer hasn't sought to produce a tweel specifically for aircraft, tells me that the tweel is limited to off-road, low-speed vehicles only.
Deano747 Posted October 11 Posted October 11 It may just get a little interesting if you touched down with any drift on and the ribs failed in shear. 1
skippydiesel Posted October 11 Author Posted October 11 1 hour ago, onetrack said: The turf equipment tweels are rated for a maximum speed of 25mph (40kmh), and the tweels for ATV/UTV's are rated for a maximum speed of 50mph (80kmh). No model of tweel is approved for highway use yet. Seems to me you have forgotten all the micro lites and sub 30 knot stall/landing aircraft. 44 minutes ago, Deano747 said: It may just get a little interesting if you touched down with any drift on and the ribs failed in shear. 1 hour ago, onetrack said: There's a considerable increase in rolling resistance with a tweel, as compared to a pneumatic tyre. So, I'd have to opine that tweels are unsuitable for any aircraft. That's interesting - why would they have "considerable increase in rolling resistance" ? 1 hour ago, onetrack said: The fact that the manufacturer hasn't sought to produce a tweel specifically for aircraft, tells me that the tweel is limited to off-road, low-speed vehicles only. You jest! There are a host of micro/ultralights, using mower/wheelbarrow tyres. They day they are offered for aircraft use, is the day the price increases exponentially. ".......the tweel is limited to off-road, low-speed vehicles..." last time a checked, there were no aircraft registered for the public road. 😈 1 1
skippydiesel Posted October 11 Author Posted October 11 44 minutes ago, Deano747 said: It may just get a little interesting if you touched down with any drift on and the ribs failed in shear. What makes you think that a light aircraft, weighing considerably less than a good sized zero turn mower, would impose any more of a side force?😈 1
onetrack Posted October 11 Posted October 11 (edited) Skippy, the increased rolling resistance of the Tweel comes from the fact it flattens out more on the bottom than a conventional pneumatic tyre. I'd have to opine a radial tyre has less wall flexing resistance than the tread supports or ribs in the Tweel, which are quite stiff material. Edited October 11 by onetrack
skippydiesel Posted October 11 Author Posted October 11 Just now, onetrack said: Skippy, the increased rolling resistance of the Tweel comes from the fact it flattens out more on the bottom than a conventional pneumatic tyre. I'd have to opine a radial tyre has less wall flexing resistance than the tread supports in the Tweel, which are quite stiff material. That's probably a reasonable guess. It may be that the characteristics of the Tweel might just suit those of us who aspir (not me) to landing on fairly ordinary surfaces. At the moment this seems to require a large balloon tyre. If the Tweel should offer a similar ground pressure and "give" to a large/heavy /aerodynamically compromised balloon tyre, the aspiring "bush pilot" may have an interest.😈 1
onetrack Posted October 11 Posted October 11 Skippy, I guess you could always be the Tweel test pilot! However, the cost of the Tweels appears to be considerably more than a pneumatic tyre, a factor which might put you off! Another point I just thought of - wouldn't the ribs act as vanes when airborne, and start the wheels spinning, thus acting as somewhat destabilising gyros? Are Michelin Tweels worth the upfront cost and do they last longer? - Darra Tyres, Brisbane WWW.DARRATYRES.COM.AU Michelin Tweel tyres are a type of non-pneumatic tyre that consists of a rigid hub connected to a shear band, which is made of rubber and acts as the tyre's
facthunter Posted October 11 Posted October 11 You wouldn't be able to say "Dangle the Dunlops" any more. Nev 1
onetrack Posted October 11 Posted October 11 (edited) The work going into non-pneumatic tyre research is quite amazing. There's actually an improved Tweel-2 now. And Michelin and GM have collaborated to produce a non-pneumatic combined tyre and wheel called Uptis, which is supposed to be getting fitted to new road-going vehicles this year. They'd better get a move on, there's not much left of 2024. The research article below will keep you fully updated, Skippy - but be prepared to burn some midnight oil reading the entire article! You might be able to go non-pneumatic, sooner than you think! A comprehensive review on non-pneumatic tyre research - ScienceDirect WWW.SCIENCEDIRECT.COM Non-pneumatic tyre technology can overcome the safety problems of traditional pneumatic tyres. Hence, it is expected to improve driving safety signifi… Promo for the Uptis tyre ... MICHELIN UPTIS tyre prototype, an airless tyre | Michelin Australia WWW.MICHELIN.COM.AU Edited October 11 by onetrack
BrendAn Posted October 11 Posted October 11 people flying out of paddocks with 3 corner jacks would appreciate an airless tyre although i guess they already have plenty of them.😁 3
Moneybox Posted October 11 Posted October 11 It's quite easy to have your pneumatic tyres foam filled. I had a client with a FJ40 LandCruiser that has a drill on the back. He has to go across country in the minefields regardless of conditions. Tyres were a constant problem but it must be 10yrs since we foam filled his regular tyres and since I spoke with him a few months back those tyres now bald are still holding up. The foam density matches your chosen tyre pressure and they are totally puncture proof. They cannot be used onroad because they quickly overheat. 2
Red Posted October 11 Posted October 11 (edited) We used to sometimes fit a foam ring called a Bib Mousse to our enduro Bikes, advantage was puncture proof, but you could never get the needed tyre deformation with them so grip suffered on rocks and roots and you can't just tweak the pressure for various conditions Also made the ride harsher and as you said no good for prolonged highway use as they overheated and broke down A gas filled tyre remains a hard to beat arrangement for most applications Edited October 11 by Red 1 2
skippydiesel Posted October 11 Author Posted October 11 Just so you know , my interest is alternative, possibly useful (to somebody) technologies - At this stage, I can not see my Sonex flying with Tweel wheel/tyres. For the future ??????😈 1 1
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