Tire cutting band saw?

[Covalence]

Hi all,

I'm looking for a US made band saw to cut through tires. Ideal saw will cut vertically, with tire braced vertically so as to cut it into two semicircles. I realize the blade will have to be durable to cut through tread grit and steel beads. Suggestions? Thank you!

 

[Compositepro]

To cut through steel tire cords you will have to use an abrasive blade. A circular saw seems like it would be safer and more practical.
Tires are usually chopped with very powerful shears. It is faster, cleaner and safer than saws. Something to consider is that powdered rubber is very flammable.

 

[Timelord]

Covalence,

Do you have to saw a lot of tires? Given the size of most tires, I would look at portable lumber saw mills. They are typically band saws and should have the necessary clearance. Some mills have the cutting section of the blade horizontal which may be desirable for you. You may have to buy a special blade. Lumber cutters do have blades that can handle nails and such in trees. Don't know how it would handle steel belted tires.

Timelord

 

[Covalence]

I'm not sure exactly how many tires need to be cut. I think it is more for examining internals of the tire construction, within a factory, rather than a recycling operation. Any other feedback or suggestions is welcome and appreciated. The ideal machine will be stationed in the workshop portion of the factory. Figure a max footprint of roughly 12 feet by 8 feet. This is to replace an existing band saw by Behringer. Thanks.

 

[MikeHalloran]

Most any bandsaw of sufficient size can do the job.

The trick is to use a Rem-Grit(r) blade.

Do buy a good vacuum cleaner to help with the houekeeping.




Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA

 

[tbuelna]

If you wish to section tires for the purpose of performing something like a failure analysis, then you would want some sort of cutting machine that would not produce excessive thermal or mechanical stress in the tire structure. It would seem difficult to find a bandsaw with sufficient vertical capacity (ie. around 36") to cut a tire into 2 semi-circles. Something like an abrasive water jet might work better.

 

[GregLocock]

I think he probably wants a slice through the cross section, leastways that's what we work with.

Cheers

Greg Locock


New here? Try reading these, they might help FAQ731-376

http://eng-tips.com/market.cfm?

 

[swall]

We used a large Do-All band saw to cut transverse sections from aircraft tires. Something like a 16 tooth, extra hardness blade. Was kind of hairy cutting the tire bead wire. But,if I were to cut tires on a regular basis, I would look for something other than band sawing.

 

[tbuelna]

I think he probably wants a slice through the cross section, leastways that's what we work with.

I was a bit confused by the OP where they described the cutting operation thus: "Ideal saw will cut vertically, with tire braced vertically....".

I would agree with swall that using a bandsaw to cut through steel wire bead reinforcements and steel wire tread belts of heavy duty tires could become quite exciting if the tire section is not rigidly supported at the cut line. This might be a better alternative:

http://www.altracon.com/eng/Product/Compound_trad_track/high_pressure_water_jet_cutting_2014.html

 

[Covalence]

Hi guys - thanks for tips. Just to clarify, existing product is a Behringer KS-400HY - a hydraulic hacksaw. Blade is parallel to floor and cuts vertically, like a guillotine. Tire is positioned vertically, just as if it were on the road. It is braced by an "axle" and chain strapping in securely. Even so, I think there is probably some dangerous wiggling that can occur. I am looking for a similar, and affordable option to replace this existing setup. This is for a large factory, not a simple garage operation. But cost has to be reasonable. Thanks again!

 

[MacGyverS2000]

As said before, any typical bandsaw would be fine, though I would want to create a fixture of some form to strengthen the tread against flex as it passes through the blade. I have a blade on my 18" saw right now that is designed for wood and metal... I use it for cutting wood blanks up to a foot or so thick, but hitting nails from time to time doesn't even phase it. A solid fixture and a slow feed with a 4T (or more) blade should prove effective.

Dan - Owner

http://www.Hi-TecDesigns.com

 

[BrianGar]

Bit late to the table here but...approx 2yrs ago I spent a lot of time designing a tyre disposal system.

In a nut shell, forget about toothed blades and angle grinders.

What you need is a large shears. In the US you can buy ready made alligator shears just for this purpose.

Do NOT underestimate the hardness and toughness of the steel wire in the tyres.

see video for example of basic machine -

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r6ZpiblZet0

Brian,