Tractive tire compactor

A machine for compacting a row of tires in side-by-side relationship, comprising:

• a frame having a platform for receiving thereon a row of tires to be compacted, and further having a support housing attached thereto;
• a first compactor plate, dimensioned to contact a first tire of said row, said first compactor plate being mounted in a fixed relation with said frame;
• a cylinder/piston combination comprising a piston that reciprocates between an extended position and a retracted position, said cylinder/piston combination being attached to at least one of said support housing and said frame, said piston comprising a retractable probe having an external segment that extends through an opening in said support housing and protrudes through said first compactor plate and through said row of tires, said external segment shortening when said probe is retracted;
• a second compactor plate, contacting a last tire of said row and attachable to said probe for longitudinal movement therewith;
• and
• a plurality of slots formed in each of said compactor plates for receiving binding wires therethrough, and a plurality of wire guides disposed on said probe;
• whereby said row of tires is compacted between said first compactor plate and said second compactor plate when said cylinder/piston combination is moved from said extended position to said retracted position.