Amazing Manual Cutting of Old Truck Tyres for Oil | Waste Tyre Recycling Process 2026

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Hard Work and Skills Feb 20, 2026

Audio Brief

Show transcript
This episode analyzes the manual dismantling of large truck tires, highlighting the specialized techniques used in resource-constrained recycling environments. There are three key takeaways. First, extreme tension is required to prevent the rubber from pinching the blade. Second, workers utilize body weight for mechanical leverage. Third, a rhythmic rocking motion is essential for cutting through reinforced materials. The process relies on a coordinated effort between two workers. One stands inside the tire, using leg strength and a metal clamp to pull the sidewall upward, creating the necessary tension. This exposes the cutting line for the second worker. Instead of a smooth slice, the cutter uses a curved blade with a rocking motion to bite through tough rubber layers and steel belts incrementally. This synchronization ensures efficiency and safety in a high-risk manual operation. Ultimately, this demonstrates how human leverage and specific cutting mechanics can substitute for heavy machinery in industrial recycling.

Episode Overview

  • This video demonstrates the manual labor process of recycling large truck tires by separating the sidewalls from the tread.
  • It showcases the specialized tools and techniques used in resource-constrained environments to dismantle heavy-duty rubber products without automated machinery.
  • The footage highlights the intense physical demands and potential safety risks involved in informal industrial recycling sectors.

Key Concepts

  • Manual Leverage and Tension: The core mechanic of this process relies on extreme tension. One worker stands inside the tire to use his body weight and leg strength to push the rubber down, creating a gap. simultaneously, a large metal clamp pulls the sidewall upwards. This opposing force exposes the cutting line for the blade.
  • The "Rocking" Cutting Motion: The cutter does not slice through the thick rubber in a single smooth motion. Instead, he uses a rhythmic, rocking motion with a curved blade. This technique allows the knife to bite into the tough rubber layers and steel belts incrementally, reducing the friction that would stop a straight slice.
  • Team Coordination: The efficiency of the operation depends entirely on the synchronization between the two workers. The "holder" (inside the tire) must adjust the clamp and his foot position constantly to keep the rubber taut exactly where the "cutter" is working. If the tension slackens, the knife binds; if it's too tight, the rubber could snap back dangerously.

Quotes

  • At 0:00 - "(Visual demonstration of the initial cut)" - The video opens immediately with the men establishing the first incision, illustrating how they use a metal clamp to pull the sidewall away from the tread to create a working angle.
  • At 3:45 - "(Rhythmic cutting sound)" - The audio here captures the distinct, repetitive sound of the blade sawing through the rubber, emphasizing the physical effort and the specific "sawing" technique required rather than a smooth slice.
  • At 5:25 - "(Removal of the sidewall ring)" - The final moment where the sidewall is completely detached demonstrates the end product: a clean ring of rubber separated from the main tread, ready for different recycling streams.

Takeaways

  • To manually cut thick rubber, apply tension to the material to pull the cut open as you work; this prevents the material from pinching the blade.
  • Utilize body weight as a mechanical advantage when working with heavy materials; standing inside the object allows for better leverage than working from the outside.
  • Maintain a sharp, curved blade and use a rocking motion to navigate through reinforced materials like tire rubber, rather than attempting to force a straight cut.