Abstract: A lift for use in such buffed tire processing operations as inspection, repair and cementing thereof has a carriage supported by a vertical post so as to be moved as by a ram between a lower inoperative position and an upper operative position. A pair of horizontal, motor driven shafts are connected to the carriage and in the inoperative shaft position, a buffed tire or tires supported by the free end of a hanger of a mobile rack may be brought into a position in which the shafts extend freely therethrough. In the operative position of the carriage, the tire or tires through which the shafts extend are supported entirely thereby so that they may be rotated and processed and the carriage then lowered until the processed tires are again supported by the hanger of the mobile rack.

Abstract: A flexible, integrally formed elastomeric matrix is formed using an internal mold such as an inflated tire or carved or molded rigid facsimile thereof covered with a fabric venting network and an overlying layer of elastomeric material. The assembly is cured in the same manner as when tire retreading is effected utilizing precured tread material. After curing, the thus formed flexible matrix with the incorporated venting material is removed and is used in retreading tires prepared in the same manner as in the case where rigid external molds are used but with the curing of the assembly effected in the same way the flexible matrix was prepared.

Abstract: Gauges are provided to measure the diameter of a buffed tire to determine whether with the addition of a predetermined amount of uncured rubber thereto by an extruder builder, a predetermined mold or matrix can be used, whether additional rubber will have to be applied by the builder before that matrix can be used or whether the buffed tire should not be used with that matrix.