Abstract: An operating mechanism for tire press that includes upper and lower sidewall molds and a segmented tread mold assembly for forming the tread portion of a tire. The sidewall molds and tread mold assembly define a molding cavity with a central vertical axis. The press may be operated to move the upper sidewall mold together with the tread mold assembly upwardly and laterally away from the vertical axis to permit loading of an uncured tire carcass in the lower sidewall mold section and for removing a cured tire from the upper sidewall mold section. The operating mechanism or center mechanism includes a bearing sleeve, coaxial with the central axis and mounted on the mold carrier beam for the press. An outer tubular sleeve is slidably received in the bearing sleeve and extends there-through so that the lower end may be operatively connected to the tread mold assembly for operating the same.