Abstract: For thrusting perpendicular to a tire to demount it, or similar purposes, a hydraulic cylinder bearing a thrust shoe is pivotably mounted, by trunnion pins on its casing, to a support frame beneath a slotted platform. A forward arm and follower assembly pivots on the trunnion pins and extends diagonally forward normally to bear on the hydraulic cylinder casing; while a similar aft arm and follower assembly likewise pivots on the trunnion pins, extending aft and normally bearing on the opposite side of the hydraulic cylinder casing. Corresponding portions of these aft and forward assemblies are connected by coil springs; their inward pivotal movement is limited by a stop on the support frame; thus they constantly urge the hydraulic cylinder toward upright position. To correct angular drifting of the actuator rod, its shoe has a downward projecting centering shield having a tapered tip which engages a platform slot when the hydraulic cylinder is retracted, rotating the shoe to its proper position.

Abstract: In that type of apparatus for mounting large size off-highway pneumatic tires on drop-center rims, in which two bead deflectors are moved simultaneously in opposite senses along semi-circular paths, the deflector arms are mounted on the upper ends of concentric shafts having gears at their lower ends, the inner shaft projecting below the outer shaft, each being engaged by an inward facing rack member positioned at suitable height. The two rack members are driven together by a linear actuator whose thrust is reacted through bushings mounted on the shafts above and below the gears. Hence the actuator force which turns the arms imposes no bending moment on the vertical sleeve or platform structure.

Abstract: In that type of apparatus for mounting the largest sizes of pneumatic tires on drop-center wheels, where thrust is applied slantingly to drive one of the tire beads into the drop-center of the wheel preparatory to use of contra-rotating bead deflectors, the present invention provides for applying and manipulating such thrust forces with exceptional ease. Two hydraulic struts of equal size are mounted in a vertical plane, with their pistons extending to fittings on a common lateral shaft. The fitting of one actuator is a clevis which surrounds the fitting of the first. Their remote ends are spaced vertically, so that the thrust at the shaft is reacted truss-like by the triangulated cylinders. On the lateral shaft is mounted a thrust shoe, whose angle may be fixed perpendicular to either actuator; or it may be varied relative to one of the actuators by a hydraulic motor. By varying the length of the extension of the actuators, the shoe is moved at any chosen direction in the vertical plane.