The Initial Inspection of the Tire Casing Initial inspection is probably the most important part of the retreading process. A knowledgeable inspector not only looks for cuts, snags, torque cracking, sidewall separation, torn beads, etc. Improper inspection costs both the retreader and customer time and money . For instance, trailer use is a low stress application and a tire that might not be suitable for a high-torque drive position could be retreaded and run dependably on a trailer for many miles.
Inspection usually begins manually - with the tire on a mechanical spreader.
Using bright light and an experienced set of hands, the inspector looks and feels his way around every corner of the tire. The tire is rotated until all sides have been gone over thoroughly. This is the first stop for any tire casing - the initial inspection station. Next, in order to find unseen injuries and flaws in the tire casing, we use the Oliver Wide Scan ultrasonic casing inspector. Pinhole leaks, internal separations, etc.