Goodyear has launched an airless turf tire, available as an upgrade option on Bad Boy Mowers’ Outlaw XP, a zero-turn radius model, as of early 2018.
“The commercial release of this turf tire is an important step in our efforts to develop airless tire technology for a range of applications,” said Christopher Helsel, Goodyear’s chief technology officer.
“As we look to a future where ridesharing and autonomous vehicles become mainstream, the demand for lower maintenance, longer lasting tires will continue to increase.”
The Goodyear TurfCommand can be optionally supplied equipped with the company’s DuraWeb technology, which has been in development for the past few years at the company’s Innovation Center in Akron, Ohio, and is being manufactured in the USA exclusively for Bad Boy Mowers.
Goodyear engineers and scientists incorporated feedback from field studies that included the Cleveland Metro Parks and mower dealers, such as Beltz Lawn and Garden Equipment in Akron, and the team at Bad Boy Mowers.
The tire features a thermoplastic connecting structure that is said to provide a unique combination of stiffness and flexibility to carry heavy loads while maintaining a smooth ride and minimizing turf tear. It was designed to deform, absorb impact, ensuring a smooth ride.
