System and method of removing beads from tires

A system for removing beads from tires, the system comprising:

• a base frame;
• a support frame;
• the support frame coupled with the base frame with at least one lifting arm having first and second opposite end portions;
• the first end portion of the at least one lifting arm being pivotably coupled with the support frame and the second end portion of the at least one lifting arm being pivotably coupled with the base frame such that at least a forward end portion of the support frame is selectively, vertically moveable with respect to the base frame between upper and lower positions;
• an elongated hook arm having a forward end portion, a rearward end portion, and a long axis that extends between the forward end portion and rearward end portion;
• the forward end portion having a hook that bends toward the rearward end portion;
• the elongated hook arm being operatively coupled with the support frame in a manner that permits selective reciprocal movement of the elongated hook arm along its long axis, between extended and retracted positions;
• a pair of separate, opposing stripping dyes disposed in a common plane;
• at least one of the die opposing plates being selectively, reciprocally movable between a closed position, adjacent the opposing stripping dye, and an open position, spaced apart from the opposing stripping dye;
• a hook slot penetrating the opposing stripping dyes;
• the hook slot being shaped to allow at least a portion of the elongated hook arm to pass through the stripping dye;
• the opposing stripping dyes positioned within a plane that is generally transverse to the long axis of the elongated hook arm so that at least a portion of the elongated hook arm passes through the hook slot when the elongated hook arm is moved between the extended and retracted positions;
• and
• a tire lift pivotably coupled with the base frame and movable between a generally horizontal receiving position and a generally upright cutting position;
• the tire lift including a tire cage having opposing arm members that are selectively, pivotably movable with respect to one another, between gripping and releasing positions;
• the tire cage having a tire receiving void between the opposing arm members that is sized to securely receive a tire.

A method of removing beads from tires, the method comprising:

• positioning a tire so that a sidewall of the tire is closely adjacent a forward surface of at least one generally planar stripping dye;
• the at least one stripping dye having a hook slot that penetrates the stripping dye;
• positioning a hook end portion of an elongated hook arm closely adjacent a bead of the tire, wherein the bead of the tire is disposed between the hook end portion of the elongated hook arm and the at least one stripping dye;
• and
• withdrawing the elongated hook arm through a hook slot that penetrates the at least one stripping dye such that the hook end portion engages the tire bead and pulls the tire bead past a rearward surface of the at least one stripping dye while a substantial portion of the tire remains adjacent the forward surface of the at least one stripping dye.