According to Bridgestone, the Shark Wheel SWIFT has a “sinusoidal tread design that generates a helical, DNA-shaped travel path between the two out-of-phase wheels on the irrigation tower,” minimizing rutting by enabling the trailing wheel to fill in the ruts created by the leading wheel.
The wheel has a multi-directional tread pattern. Shark Wheel said test data showed a reduction in rutting to 1 inch with SWIFT from 14 inches with a pneumatic tire.
Tony Orlando, president, Bridgestone Integrated Agricultural Tire Business, Bridgestone Americas and Bridgestone Europe-Middle East-India-Africa (BSEMIA), said Firestone Ag “is committed to delivering best-in-class performance to farmers, and rutting is a major pain point for farmers with irrigation systems. The Shark Wheel SWIFT provides an inventive, proven solution that can deliver results.”
Shark Wheel CEO Zack Fleishman said the partnership “will strengthen our ability to reach farmers and match the power of air-free technology with Firestone’s world-class service and quality control.”
Lake Forest, Calif.-based Shark Wheel is a developer and producer of helical wheels for the skateboarding industry. The Shark WHeel SWIFT is an outgrowth of the firm’s work on the skateboard wheel.
Firestone Ag customers may purchase the Shark Wheel SWIFT irrigation wheel as they would any Firestone Ag product, through its certified dealer network.
Firestone Ag’s partnership aligns with the Bridgestone E8 Commitment, the company said. That pledge serves as an axis to drive management while earning the trust of future generations. Firestone Ag’s partnership with Shark Wheel aligns with the “economy” and “efficiency” value.
