Separated At Birth: Two-Piece Tire Assembly Comes Apart at the Tread By Tudor Hampton
Akron, Ohio-based Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. has rolled out a package that some claim is the most innovative creation in the company's 105-year history. Product engineers say the new two-piece tire assembly grew out of a need in the mining business to cut the time it takes mechanics to change tires on off-road trucks, a process that often consumes a grueling eight or nine hours per wheel. In development for five years, the tire assembly is now available in a 45R57, 57-in. configuration and more sizes are expected down the road.