Abstract:
A system and method for removing steel beads from large diameter tires by lifting a tire into a position adjacent an extraction hook and a pair of stripping dyes. The hook is positioned adjacent the tire bead and is then withdrawn through a narrow opening in the stripping dyes, which removes the bead from the tire. The machine is capable of removing both rubber-encased inner beads from the tire without repositioning the tire within the system. A plurality of lifting platforms position the tire and the stripping mechanisms with respect to one another throughout the extraction process.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S) 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/752,882, filed Jan. 15, 2013, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Off-the-road (OTR) tires include tires for construction vehicles such as wheel loaders, backhoes, graders, trenchers, and the like; as well as large mining trucks. OTR tires can be of either bias or radial construction although the industry is trending toward increasing use of radial. Bias OTR tires are built with a large number of reinforcing plies to withstand severe service conditions and high loads. 
     Disposal of large diameter OTR tires used in construction and mining is a growing, global concern. The physical properties of OTR tires differ significantly from passenger and truck tires, and require specialized processes to ensure a safe and cost-effective means to reduce the overall mass to a workable size for further processing. For perspective, a typical truck tire may weigh one hundred thirty pounds and measure forty two inches in diameter. However, a typical OTR tire weighs around seven thousand pounds and measures nearly twelve feet in diameter. OTR tires also have large steel beads disposed within the edges of the central tire openings that provide stability to the sidewalls and seal the tire to the rim. 
     The large steel beads in OTR tires represent a distinct problem for tire recyclers. There are some tire shredding machines capable of cutting through these large beads; however, this significantly increases the wear and maintenance costs of the equipment. By removing the bead prior to shredding, tire recyclers are able to reduce these costs and increase the life of their equipment. 
     Previous owners of scrapped OTR tires face a different problem. Many do not want the tires to be repaired and re-used in order to mitigate potential liability that could arise over defective tires. Most damaged OTR tires can be repaired as long as the casing and bead are still in reasonably good condition. Occasionally, tires will be repaired and resold without the prior owner&#39;s knowledge. However, an OTR tire cannot be repaired if the bead has been removed. Accordingly, a cost effective method of removing the beads from OTR tires would be desirable to owners of scrapped OTR tires who do not want the tires to be repaired or reused. Presently, there are no machines on the market that are capable of removing the whole bead from an OTR tire. 
     SUMMARY 
     This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary, and the foregoing Background, is not intended to identify key aspects or essential aspects of the claimed subject matter. Moreover, this Summary is not intended for use as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
     A large Tire Bead Removal Machine of the present technology is used to remove steel beads from large diameter tires (OTR tires). The tire debeading system generally includes a frame base that is angularly disposed to provide a horizontal frame portion and a vertical frame portion. A tire lift is coupled with a distal end portion of the horizontal frame portion. In various embodiments, the tire lift includes a tire receiving platform. The tire lift, in a horizontally disposed position, can receive a tire such that a sidewall of the tire rests against the tire lift. One or more power cylinders may be actuated to lift the tire from the horizontal position to a generally vertical position. A tire support is operatively coupled with the tire lift. The tire receiving platform is configured to support the weight of a tire when the tire lift is in the vertical position. The tire support extends from an end portion of the tire lift in an angular manner. In this configuration, the tire support serves as a backstop to stop horizontal movement of a tire as it is being loaded into the tire debeading system. In various embodiments, a tire cage is operatively coupled with the tire lift and tire support. The tire cage includes a pair of opposing arms that are pivotally coupled with the tire support. The arms are each angularly or arcuately shaped to approximate the curved periphery (tread surface). The arms are pivotally coupled with the tire support or tire lift. In this configuration, the arms of the tire cage may pivot toward and away from one another in a pinching action to firmly “grip” tires of various sizes during debeading operations. 
     In various embodiments, a stripping system lift is operatively coupled with the base frame, adjacent its vertical frame portion. The stripping system lift includes a lifting platform that, in some embodiments, is selectively, vertically, positionable with respect to the base frame. One or more lower lifting arms are pivotably coupled, at their opposite ends, with the lifting platform and base frame, respectively. One or more upper lifting arms are pivotably coupled, at their opposite ends, with the lifting platform and base frame, respectively. One or more power cylinders may be coupled with the base frame and the one or more lower lifting arms to create selective, vertical movement of the stripping system lift. 
     An extendable hook arm is supported by the lift platform. In various embodiments, a forward end portion of the hook arm is provided with a hook end portion having a sharpened edge directed toward a rearward end of the bead removing system. A hook extension power cylinder may be operatively coupled with the hook arm, so that the hook arm may be selectively extended and refracted with respect to the lift platform. In some embodiments, the hook arm may be operatively coupled with one or more extension arms for further, selective, reciprocal movement of the hook arm. 
     In various embodiments, a pair of opposing stripping dyes are positioned to extend transversely across the lifting platform, at its forward end portion. The stripping dyes are coupled with the lifting frame so they may be selectively moved toward and away from one another. The stripping dyes are provided with hook notches, which are open to one peripheral edge of each respective dye. When the stripping dyes, and their notches, are positioned closely adjacent one another, the notches define a hook slot, which is sized to just accommodate the reciprocal passage of the hook arm. 
     In one method of using the bead removing system, the tire lift is placed in a horizontal position; the lifting platform is lowered to its lowest position, and the hook arm is retracted. A user may then load a tire onto the tire lift. The tire is then raised to a generally vertical position. The tire should be positioned so that the hook arm will pass through the central opening in the tire, when the hook arm is extended. The hook arm is then extended so that it extends at least partially through the central opening in the tire. The height of the lifting platform is adjusted so that the hook end portion of the hook arm will catch the bead closest to the stripping dyes. The user may now begin extracting the tire bead from the tire. The user retracts the hook arm through the stripping dyes; the bead passes through the hook notch. The width of the hook notch is sized to allow little more than the tire bead to pass. Accordingly, the edges of the stripping dyes scrape the tire rubber from the bead, leaving the tire on one side of the dyes and the bead on the other, once the process is complete. Once the first bead is pulled completely out of the tire, the process may be repeated for the opposing tire bead. 
     These and other aspects of the present system and method will be apparent after consideration of the Detailed Description and Figures herein. It is to be understood, however, that the scope of the invention shall be determined by the claims as issued and not by whether given subject matter addresses any or all issues noted in the Background or includes any features or aspects recited in this Summary. 
    
    
     
       DRAWINGS 
       Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments of the present invention, including the preferred embodiment, are described with reference to the following figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various views unless otherwise specified. 
         FIG. 1  depicts a front perspective view of one embodiment of the bead removing system of the present technology. 
         FIG. 2  depicts a top plan view of the bead removing system depicted in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  depicts a front elevation view of the bead removing system depicted in  FIG. 1  as it may be placed in a first receiving position. 
         FIG. 4  depicts another front elevation view of the bead removing system depicted in  FIG. 1  as it may be placed in a second tire retaining position. 
         FIG. 5  depicts a partial isometric view of one embodiment of a hook arm assembly that could be used with the bead removing system depicted in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 6  depicts a rear elevation view of the bead removing system depicted in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 7  depicts a side elevation view of the bead removing system depicted in  FIG. 1  as it could be positioned in a lowered, starting position. 
         FIG. 8  depicts a side elevation view of the bead removing system depicted in  FIG. 1  as it could be positioned in a raised, extracting position. 
         FIG. 9A  depicts a typical OTR tire with its bead intact. 
         FIG. 9B  depicts the OTR tire of  FIG. 9A  after its bead has been removed. 
         FIG. 10  depicts a front elevation view of one embodiment of stripping dyes that may be used with the bead removing system of the present technology. 
         FIG. 11  depicts a partial side elevation view of an embodiment the bead removing system of the present technology. 
         FIG. 12  depicts a partial, rear perspective view of the bead removing system depicted in  FIG. 11 . 
         FIG. 13  depicts a rear isometric view of embodiments of an extendable hook arm, shear, and bead crane, as they may form a part of the bead removing system of the present technology. 
         FIG. 14  depicts a side elevation view of one embodiment of the bead removing system of the present technology, depicting one manner in which a tire may be received in a horizontal position within a tire lift. 
         FIG. 15  depicts the bead removing system of  FIG. 14  and shows one manner in which the lire lift may vertically position the tire for a bead removing operation. 
         FIG. 16  depicts a partial, cut-away, view of the bead removing system of  FIG. 15  and shows one manner in which the hook end portion of the extendable hook arm may be positioned to begin removing a bead from the tire. 
         FIG. 17  depicts a rear perspective view of the bead removing system of  FIG. 16  and shows the initial stages of one manner in which the bead may be extracted from the tire. 
         FIG. 18  depicts a rear perspective view of the bead removing system of  FIG. 17  and demonstrates the continued removal of the bead from the tire. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Embodiments are described more fully below with reference to the accompanying figures, which form a part hereof and show, by way of illustration, specific exemplary embodiments. These embodiments are disclosed in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. However, embodiments may be implemented in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense. 
     A tire debeading system  10  is provided for removing the beads from tires of various sizes and styles. For purposes of simplicity only, the tire debeading system  10  is described herein as the same could be used to remove the beads from OTR tires. It is contemplated that the tire debeading system  10  could be used in a variety of configurations to remove different types of beads from tires of nearly any type and size. Those of skill in the art will appreciate the flexibility of the tire debeading system&#39;s design to accommodate a wide array of different tire bead removing tasks. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 1-8 , the tire debeading system  10  includes a base frame  12  that, in various embodiments, is angularly disposed to provide a horizontal frame portion  12   a  and a vertical frame portion  12   b . The Figures depict the base frame  12  as being disposed at a right angle, with the horizontal framer portion  12   a  being longer than the vertical frame portion  12   b . However, it should be appreciated that the angular configuration, and length of the component parts, could easily vary according to the intended use of the tire debeading system  10 , without departing from the scope of the present technology. Similarly, the base frame  12  is depicted as being in a one-piece, fixed position. However, it is contemplated that the base frame  12  could be made to be modular, collapsible, and/or provided with retractable or fixed position wheels or the like, in order to make the tire debeading system  10  mobile. 
     A tire lift  14  is coupled with a distal end portion of the horizontal frame portion  12   a  of the base frame  12 . In various embodiments, the tire lift  14  includes a tire receiving platform  16 . In the depicted embodiments, the tire receiving platform is depicted as being a pair of spaced-apart frame rails that are configured to be in a fixed position with respect to one another but operatively, pivotally coupled with the base frame  12 . In this position, the tire lift  14 , in a horizontally disposed position ( FIG. 7 ) can receive a tire, such that a sidewall of the tire rests against the tire lift  14 . In some embodiments, the tire lift  14  is operatively coupled with one or more power cylinders  16 , which are pivotally coupled with the base frame  12  and the tire lift  14 . In this arrangement, the power cylinders may be actuated to lift the tire from a horizontal receiving position ( FIGS. 7 and 14 ) to a generally upright cutting position ( FIGS. 8 and 15 ). Those of skill in the art will appreciate that the tire lift can be provided in many different configurations and need not be limited to a pair of spaced apart rails. As depicted, the tire lift  14 , regardless of its construction, may be provided with tapered distal end portions in order to more easily receive a tire that is pushed onto the tire lift  14 . 
     A tire support  18  is operatively coupled with the tire lift  14 . In the depicted embodiments, the tire receiving platform is depicted as being a pair of spaced-apart frame rails that are configured to be in a fixed position with respect to one another to support the weight of a tire when the tire lift  14  is in the vertical position. The tire support  14  extends from an end portion of the tire lift  14  in an angular manner. In this configuration, the tire support serves as a backstop to stop horizontal movement of a tire as it is being loaded into the tire debeading system  10 . In various embodiments, the tire support  18  is coupled with one or more power cylinders (not depicted) that can selectively move the tire support  18  to various positions along a length of the tire lift  14  when the tire lift  14  is in a generally vertical position, such as depicted in  FIG. 8 . Such power cylinders may be attached beneath a main frame of the tire lift. In this configuration, the vertical position of a tire may be selectively changed with respect to other components of the tire debeading system  10 , as will be described in greater detail below. 
     In various embodiments, a tire cage  20  is operatively coupled with the tire lift  14  and tire support  18 . In the depicted embodiments, the tire cage includes a pair of opposing arms  20   a  and  20   b  that are pivotally coupled with the tire support  18 . In particular, arms  20   a  and  20   b  are each angularly or arcuately shaped to approximate the curved periphery (tread surface). Those of skill in the art will appreciate that the size and curved shape of the arms  20   a  and  20   b , as well as the separation distance between the arms  20   a  and  20   b , will need to be provided with sufficient size to accommodate the largest tire circumference anticipated by the system&#39;s intended use. In some embodiments, the arms  20   a  and  20   b  are pivotally coupled with the tire support  18  or tire lift  14 . In this configuration, the arms  20   a  and  20   b  of the tire cage  20  may pivot toward and away from one another in a pinching action, between gripping and releasing positions. Where one or more power cylinders (not depicted) are operatively coupled with the arms  20   a  and  20   b , they may be selectively actuated to firmly “grip” tires of various sizes during debeading operations. In this manner, the tire cage  20  provides safety and stability when a tire is raised to a vertical position. The tire cage  20 , therefore, prevents the tire from rolling off the tire support  18 , before, during, or after bead removal. 
     In various embodiments, a stripping system lift  22  is operatively coupled with the base frame  12 , adjacent its vertical frame portion  12   b . The stripping system lift  22  includes a lifting platform  23  that, in some embodiments, is selectively, vertically, positionable with respect to the base frame  12 . One or more lower lifting arms  24  are pivotably coupled, at their opposite ends, with the lifting platform  23  and base frame  12 , respectively. In some embodiments, a forward end portion of each of the one or more lower lifting arms  24  is coupled with the lifting platform  23 , adjacent a forward end portion thereof. Similarly, a rearward end portion of each of the one or more lower lifting arms  24  is coupled with an approximate midpoint of the vertical frame portion  12   b . One or more upper lifting arms  28  are pivotably coupled, at their opposite ends, with the lifting platform  23  and base frame  12 , respectively. In some embodiments, a forward end portion of each of the one or more upper lifting arms  28  is coupled with the lifting platform  23 , adjacent a forward end portion thereof, in a vertically spaced relationship with the forward end portion of each lower lifting arm  24 . Similarly, a rearward end portion of each of the one or more upper lifting arms  28  is coupled with an approximate distal endpoint of the vertical frame portion  12   b . One or more power cylinders  26  may be coupled with the base frame  12  and the one or more lower lifting arms  24 . In some embodiments, such as depicted in  FIGS. 14 and 15 , a rearward end portion of the one or more power cylinders  26  may be coupled with the base frame  12  adjacent a point where the horizontal frame portion  12   a  and vertical frame portion  12   b  meet one another. Similarly, a forward end portion of the one or more power cylinders may be coupled with the one or more lower lifting arms  24  at a point forward from an approximate midpoint of the one or more lower lifting arms  24 . 
     An extendable hook arm  30  is supported by the lift platform  22 . In various embodiments, a forward end portion of the hook arm  30  is provided with a hook end portion  32  having a sharpened edge directed toward a rearward end of the bead removing system  10 . A hook extension power cylinder  34  may be operatively coupled with the hook arm, so that the hook arm  30  may be selectively extended and retracted with respect to the lift platform  22 . In some embodiments, the hook arm  30  may be operatively coupled with one or more extension arms for further, selective, reciprocal movement of the hook arm  30 . In one such embodiment, depicted in  FIGS. 5-8 , a plurality of cooperating arms and power cylinders may move in a generally telescopic manner with respect to one another to provide simultaneous, or successive, linear movement of the hook arm  30  with respect to the lifting platform  23 . With specific reference to the embodiment in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , a stage one power cylinder  36  is operatively coupled with a forward portion of the lifting platform  23 , at one end portion, and a stage one arm  38 , at the opposite end portion. Actuation of the stage one power cylinder  36  moves the stage one arm  38 , linearly and in a reciprocal fashion, along a length of the lifting platform. A stage two power cylinder  40  is operatively coupled with the stage one arm  38 , at one end portion, and a stage two arm  42 , at the opposite end portion. Actuation of the stage two power cylinder  40  moves the stage two arm  42 , linearly and in a reciprocal fashion, with respect to the stage one arm  38  and the lifting platform  23 . One end portion of the hook extension power cylinder  34  may be coupled with the stage two arm  42  while the opposite end portion is coupled with the hook arm  30 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 1 , a pair of opposing stripping dyes  44  and  46  are positioned to extend transversely across the lifting platform  23 , at its forward end portion. The stripping dyes  44  and  46  are coupled with the stripping dye frame  47  so they may be selectively moved toward and away from one another. In various embodiments, the movement may cause only one dye to move; whereas, other embodiments may provide for movement of both dyes in a reciprocal fashion toward and away from one another. In either respect, one or more power cylinders (not depicted) may be coupled with the dyes and adjacent supporting structures to effectuate the desired dye movement. While it is contemplated that a single stripping dye may be used with the present technology, the use of a pair of dyes, where at least one is movable, allows for ease of cleaning tire debris from the system after use and clearing any jams. In various embodiments, the stripping dyes  44  and  46  are provided with hook notches  48  and  50 , respectively, which are open to one peripheral edge of each respective dye. The stripping dyes  44  and  46  are positioned so that the openings of the hook notches  48  and  50  are lined up with one another, placing them in open communication with one another. When the stripping dyes  44  and  46 , and their notches  48  and  50 , are positioned closely adjacent one another, the notches  48  and  50  define a hook slot  52 , which is sized to just accommodate the reciprocal passage of the hook arm  30 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 10 , embodiments of the tire debeading system provide edge portions of the stripping dyes  44  and  46  with one or more removable bead engagement edges  54 . For example, edge portions of either or both of hook notch  48  and hook notch  50  may be provided with lengths of bead engagement edge  54 . In some embodiments, the lengths of bead engagement edge  54  may line portions or all of the individual hook notches. Similarly, lengths of the opposing, interior edges of stripping dye  44  and stripping dye  46  may be provided with lengths of removable bead engagement edge  54 . It is contemplated that embodiments of the bead engagement edge  54  will be formed from one or more known hardened materials, having a hardness greater than that used to form stripping dye  44  and stripping dye  46 . It will be desirable, for long term use of the tire debeading system  10 , to use such materials in view of the continued engagement between such edge portions and the stripping movement of tire beads. It is contemplated that the bead engagement edges may be removably coupled with the stripping dye  44  and stripping dye  46  using mechanical fasteners. In such embodiments, the bead engagement edges  54  may rest against the forward surfaces of the stripping dye  44  and stripping dye  46 , leaving the bead engagement edges proud of the forward surfaces. In other embodiments, the bead engagement edges  54  may be positioned in recesses that dispose forward surfaces of the bead engagement edges  54  flush with the forward surfaces of the stripping dye  44  and stripping dye  46 . Embodiments of the bead engagement edges  54  may provide eased, or radiused, corners where direct engagement with the tire beads occurs. 
     With continued reference to  FIG. 10 , embodiments of the tire debeading system  10  couple one or more stripper bars  56  with one or both of the forward surfaces of stripping dye  44  and stripping dye  46 . In various embodiments, the stripping bars  56  are provided as elongated plates, each having first end portions secured with one of the stripper dye  44  or stripper dye  46 . The stripper bars  56  are, in at least some embodiments, secured to one stripping dye such that lengths of the stripper bars and their second end portions extend over the forward surface of the opposing stripping dye when the opposing stripping dyes are in a closed position. Some embodiments provide the lengths of the stripper bars  56  such that they extend over the forward surface of the opposing stripping dye when the opposing stripping dyes are in an open position as well. While it is contemplated that one stripper bar  56  could be used, various embodiments of the present technology couple a pair of stripper bars  56  to a forward surface of at least one of the opposing stripping dyes  44  or  46 . Each of the stripper bars are positioned between a peripheral edge portion of the stripping dye and the hook slot  52 , with the hook slot  52  positioned between the two stripper bars  56 . The stripper bars  56  may be removably coupled with the stripping dye using mechanical fasteners. It is also contemplated that the stripping bars  56  could be permanently secured with the stripping dye by welding or other permanent securement means. 
     Embodiments of the stripper bars  56  are provided with bead engagement edges  54 , which may be permanently or removably secured, with the stripper bars  56 . Such embodiments may position the bead engagement edges alongside portions of the stripper bars  56  that face the hook slot  52 , adjacent the interior edges of stripping dye  44  and stripping dye  46 . In some embodiments, the stripper bars  56  are raised above a forward surface of the stripping dye  44  and stripping dye  46 . In this manner, the lengths of bead engagement edge  54  act with the hook end portion  32 , as the bead is pulled from the tire and the hook end portion  32  passes through the hook slot  52 , to angle the tire bead and force initial stripping contact between the bead edge portions  54  on the stripper bars  56 . Secondary stripping contact may then occur between the lengths of bead engagement edges  54  located at the interior edges of stripping dye  44  and stripping dye  46 . 
     With reference to  FIGS. 11-13 , the tire debeading system  10  includes a shear  58  that can be used to cut portions of the tire body that remain on the tire bead after it has been substantially pulled from the tire. In some embodiments, the shear  58  includes at least one blade arm  60  with a cutting surface  62  that is movable with respect to a second arm  64 , between open and cutting positions. In the depicted embodiment, the second arm is provided to be a blade receiving arm, having a striking surface  66  that is shaped to receive the cutting edge  22  in a manner that severs material disposed therebetween. In some embodiments, the striking surface  66  may be rigid while other embodiments may provide the striking surface  66  to be deformably resilient. Similarly, the striking surface  66  may include a channel that at least partially receives a portion of the cutting surface  62  beyond the face of the striking surface  66 . In the depicted embodiment, the second arm  64  is provided in a fixed position with respect to the blade arm  60  and the remainder of the tire debeading system  10 . Other embodiments, however, may provide a second arm to pivotably move in opposition to the blade arm  60 . In such embodiments, the second arm  64  may include a cutting surface to oppose the cutting surface  62 . 
     In the depicted embodiments, the second arm  64  of the shear  58  is secured to adjacent framing such that it is positioned adjacent the hook slot  52  so that a length of the second arm  64  extends parallel to the stripping dye  46 , just below the hook slot  52 . A pair of guide plates  68  may be positioned between the striking dye  46  and the second arm  64 . The guide plates are horizontally spaced apart, with the hook slot  52  disposed therebetween. The guide plates  68  assist in focusing the path of the tire bead and any tire remnants past the stripping dyes and through the shear  58 . A rearward end portion of the blade arm  60  is pivotably coupled with one end of the second arm  64 . A power cylinder  70  is coupled with the blade arm  60  such that selective actuation of the power cylinder  70  advances the blade arm  60  between open and cutting positions with respect to the second arm  64 . 
     With continued reference to  FIGS. 11-13  embodiments of the tire debeading system  10  include a bead crane  72  having a boom arm  74  that is pivotably coupled with adjacent framing or another stable structure, such as the cover to the hook arm assembly. In the depicted embodiment, the boom arm  74  includes a vertical support  76 , which is pivotably coupled to bracket  78  to enable rotation of the boom arm along a horizontal plane using power cylinder  80 . Extension arm  82  is pivotably coupled at one end to an upper end portion of the vertical support  76  to enable the extension arm to pivot along a generally vertical plane using power cylinder  84 . Embodiments of the bead crane  72  are provided with a bead grapple  86 . In the depicted embodiment, the bead grapple  86  is provided as a hook shaped arm that is pivotably coupled to a grapple bracket  88 , such that the bead grapple moves between open and closed positions with respect to a distal end portion of the grapple bracket. In some embodiments, the grapple bracket  88  includes a grapple passage that allows at least a portion of the bead grapple  86  to pass therethrough. In this manner, the bead grapple  86  can tighten its grip on a length of tire bead between the bead grapple  86  and the grapple bracket  88  using power cylinder  90 . Once a length of tire bead is secured by the bead grapple  86 , the bead crane  72  may pivot horizontally to move the tire bead away from the tire debeading system  10 , where it is released for later collection. 
     In one method of using the bead removing system  10 , depicted in  FIGS. 14-18 , the tire lift  14  is placed in a horizontal position; the lifting platform  23  is lowered to its lowest position, and the hook arm  30  is retracted. A user may then load a tire  94  onto the tire lift  14 , with a sidewall of the tire positioned against the tire receiving platform  16  and the tread touching the tire support  18  and tire cage  20 , as depicted in  FIG. 14 . It is contemplated that due to the size of most large OTR tires, the tire may be loaded onto the bead removing system  10  using a telehandler, pay loader, or the like. The tire cage  20  may need to be adjusted in or out depending on the size of the tire. The tire is then raised to a generally vertical position by actuating the power cylinder  17  associated with the tire lift  14 , as depicted in  FIG. 15 . The tire should be positioned so that the bead  92  and sidewall  96  of the tire faces the bead stripping dyes  44  and  46 , as depicted in  FIG. 16 . In doing so, it is recommended that the tire be positioned to a height where the hook arm  30  will pass through the central opening in the tire, when the hook arm  30  is extended. If necessary, the lift platform may be raised to adjust the tire height. In some embodiments, the stripping system lift can angle or elevate the lifting platform  23 , relative to the tire, in order to optimize the position of the hook arm  30 . The hook arm  30  is then extended so that it extends at least partially through the central opening in the tire. The height and/or angle of the lifting platform  23  may now be adjusted so that the hook end portion  32  of the hook arm  30  will catch the bead closest to the stripping dyes  42  and  44 . Once the hook end portion  32  is raised into position, the user will verify that the tire bead is positioned into the hook, so that the tire sidewall just above the tire bead will be punctured by the hook end portion  32 , before pulling the bead, as depicted in  FIG. 16 . This adjustment of the hook arm  30  position may be accomplished by actuating the hook extension power cylinder to set the position of the hook end portion  32  with respect to the tire bead. 
     The user may now begin extracting the tire bead  92  from the tire  94 . First, if the hook arm  30  is extended, the user brings it back away from the tire, so the hook arm  30  can be locked into the pulling position. The embodiments of the bead removing system  10  depicted in the Figures is a two-stage system. Accordingly, the stage one cylinder  36  is actuated first and begins the bead pulling process. Once the stage one power cylinder  36  is fully extended, the stage two power cylinder  40  is actuated and finishes pulling the bead out of the tire. As the power cylinders retract the hook arm  30  through the stripping dyes  44  and  46 , the bead passes through the hook slot  52  and/or through the gap between the stripping dye  44  and stripping dye  46 , as depicted in  FIGS. 17 and 18 . However, the width of the hook slot  52  is sized to allow little more than the tire bead to pass. Accordingly, the edges of the stripping dyes  44  and  46  scrape the tire rubber from the bead, leaving the tire on one side of the dyes and the bead on the other, once the process is complete. In order to further the stripping process, as the bead is being pulled out of the tire, the lifting platform  23  may be lowered; keeping the height of the hook end portion  32  the same as the height of the bead that is being stripped out of the tire. The lowering of the lifting platform stops the tire from lifting off of the tire support  18 , keeping the weight of the tire on the tire support  18 . 
     Once the first bead is pulled completely out of the tire, the stage two power cylinder  40 , stage one power cylinder  36 , and hook extension power cylinder  34 , bring the hook arm  30  back to release the tension on the tire bead. Where excess tire material remains coupled to the tire bead and the tire, the shear  58  may be actuated to sever the connection. The user may then use the bead crane  72  to grasp the tire bead and move it away from the hook arm  30 , clear of the tire debeading system  10 . The hook arm  30  may then be returned to its initial position. Using the hook extension power cylinder  34 , the hook end portion  32  is extended until it is just past the second tire bead. The lifting platform  23  will likely need to be lowered so the hook end portion  32  can reach out to the opposite side of the tire. Once the hook end portion  32  is past the second bead, the lifting platform  23  is raised until the bead rests adjacent the hook end portion  32 . The hook arm  30  may now be retracted toward the dyes until the user is certain that the hook end portion  32  catches the second bead. When the second bead is hooked, the above described steps may be repeated for extracting the tire bead. After the second bead is completely withdrawn from the tire, the hook arm  30  is moved toward, but not through, the stripping dyes  44  and  46 . Before lowering the tire lift  14 , the tire support  18  is lowered to its lowest position. The tire lift  14  can now be lowered down to the horizontal position. Finally, the tire can be removed from the tire lift  14 . 
     Although the technology been described in language that is specific to certain structures, materials, and methodological steps, it is to be understood that the invention defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific structures, materials, and/or steps described. Rather, the specific aspects and steps are described as forms of implementing the claimed invention. Since many embodiments of the invention can be practiced without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, the invention resides in the claims hereinafter appended. Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers or expressions, such as those expressing dimensions, physical characteristics, etc. used in the specification (other than the claims) are understood as modified in all instances by the term “approximately.” At the very least, and not as an attempt to limit the application of the doctrine of equivalents to the claims, each numerical parameter recited in the specification or claims which is modified by the term “approximately” should at least be construed in light of the number of recited significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques. Moreover, all ranges disclosed herein are to be understood to encompass and provide support for claims that recite any and all subranges or any and all individual values subsumed therein. For example, a stated range of 1 to 10 should be considered to include and provide support for claims that recite any and all subranges or individual values that are between and/or inclusive of the minimum value of 1 and the maximum value of 10; that is, all subranges beginning with a minimum value of 1 or more and ending with a maximum value of 10 or less (e.g., 5.5 to 10, 2.34 to 3.56, and so forth) or any values from 1 to 10 (e.g., 3, 5.8, 9.9994, and so forth).