Tire Cutters and Tire Recycling Equipment: A Buying Guide for Shops and Yards

Quick answer: A tire cutter is a powered machine that slices scrap tires into pieces so they take up less space, cost less to haul and are easier for recyclers to process. Tire shops, salvage yards and recyclers use them alongside bead notchers, wheel crushers, oil filter crushers and balers. Choose a tire cutter by the tire sizes you process (passenger, truck or OTR), the power source (electric or gas), the cutting method (sidewall, tread or full cut), and how many tires you handle each week.

See every model on our tire cutters page, plus wheel crushers, oil filter crushers and recycling balers and compactors.

Why shops cut scrap tires

Whole scrap tires are bulky. A trailer full of whole tires is mostly air, and many haulers and recyclers charge by volume or require tires to be cut. Cutting tires into pieces can reduce how often you need pickups, frees up yard space, and keeps water from collecting inside stored tires. For truck and OTR tires, removing the bead wire with a bead notcher also makes the remaining rubber easier to cut and process.

Types of tire recycling equipment

• Tire cutters. Machines that cut the sidewalls from the tread, then cut the tread into strips or pieces. On our site, the Tire Service International TC 50 G and TC 55 G are gas powered tire cutters, and the TC 125 is a larger tire cutter.
• Bead notchers. Cut through the steel bead bundle of large truck and OTR tires so the tire can be opened and cut. The TC 60 E (electric) and TC 60 G (gas) are listed.
• Wheel crushers. Flatten scrap steel and aluminum wheels for scrap sales. See our wheel crushers.
• Oil filter crushers. Squeeze used oil filters so the oil drains out and the filters take up less space. The TC 15 is one example.
• Balers and compactors. Compress cardboard, plastic and other shop waste. See recycling balers and compactors.

How to choose a tire cutter

1. Tire mix. Passenger and light truck tires need less cutting force than commercial truck and OTR tires. Check the tire sizes listed for each machine.
2. Volume. A shop with a few dozen scrap tires a week has very different needs from a recycler handling truckloads.
3. Power source. Gas powered cutters work where there is no suitable electric service, such as in a yard. Electric models suit indoor and fixed installations. Check the power requirements listed on each product page.
4. Cutting method. Some machines remove sidewalls, others cut tread or cut tires into several pieces. Match the method to what your hauler or recycler accepts.
5. Bead wire. For truck and OTR tires, plan on a bead notcher before cutting.
6. Space and setup. Plan where the machine sits, where whole tires stack, and where cut pieces go.
7. Operator training. These are powerful machines. Factor in training time for every operator.

Specs explained

• Tire size range. The smallest and largest tires the machine is built to cut.
• Power. Gas engine or electric motor, with the listed power rating.
• Cycle or cut time. How long each cut takes, where listed.
• Footprint and weight. How much floor space the machine needs and how it is moved.

Safety

• Only trained operators should run tire cutters and bead notchers.
• Keep hands and clothing clear of blades and pinch points, and use every guard the machine ships with.
• Wear cut resistant gloves, eye protection and steel toe boots. Exposed steel belts and bead wire are sharp.
• Run gas powered machines outdoors or with proper ventilation.
• Disconnect power or shut off the engine before clearing jams or servicing blades.
• Follow the vendor instructions and local rules for scrap tire storage and disposal.

Where tire cutters are used

• High volume tire retailers: to cut disposal costs and pickup frequency.
• Truck and OTR tire service: a bead notcher plus a heavy tire cutter.
• Salvage yards: tire cutters with wheel crushers for scrap wheels.
• Recyclers and processors: larger cutters sized for steady volume.
• Fleet shops: oil filter crushers and balers to manage shop waste.

Common mistakes

1. Skipping the recycler conversation. Ask your hauler how they want tires cut before buying.
2. Undersizing for truck tires. A cutter built for passenger tires may not handle commercial casings.
3. Forgetting the bead wire. Large tires usually need a bead notcher first.
4. Poor layout. Moving tires twice wastes the time the machine saves.
5. Ignoring blade maintenance. Dull blades slow every cut. Follow the vendor's service schedule.

Does a tire cutter pay for itself?

That depends on your tire count and local disposal fees. Start with what you pay per pickup today, how many pickups you need each month, and how much yard space whole tires use. Then ask your hauler what changes when tires are cut. Some shops also gain from cleaner storage and fewer complaints about tire piles. Run the numbers for your own shop before deciding.

How much does tire recycling equipment cost?

At the time of writing, bead notchers on our site run roughly $11,900 to $12,900, gas tire cutters about $15,000 to $25,600, and the TC 125 tire cutter about $86,500. Oil filter crushers and wheel crushers are listed on their own collection pages. Prices change, so check each collection for current pricing. Shipping is calculated at checkout.

Frequently asked questions

What does a tire cutter do?

It cuts scrap tires into sidewalls, tread strips or pieces so they take less space and are easier to haul and recycle.

Do I need a bead notcher?

For truck and OTR tires with heavy steel beads, a bead notcher is commonly used before cutting.

Gas or electric tire cutter?

Gas suits outdoor yards without electric service. Electric suits indoor or fixed setups with the right power available.

Can a tire cutter handle tractor tires?

Only if the machine is rated for that size. Check the tire size range on the product page.

Related equipment

See tire storage racks, tire carts and dollies, tire conveyors and our wheel service equipment. Questions? Contact us.