Abstract: A tire building drum is described which includes a rotatable drum having a center section and a right and left section, wherein the right and left section are each located adjacent the center section, wherein the right and left sections each have a radially expandable bead lock mechanism mounted on a sliding cylinder, wherein the bead lock mechanisms are axially movable independent of each other, wherein the ends of the center section are each connected to a plurality of radially expandable lifter housings, wherein each lifter housing is connected to a linkage system, wherein each sliding cylinder has a front face positioned for engagement with the linkage system, wherein actuation of the sliding cylinder causes the lifter system to radially expand and the radial expansion of the center section.