Abstract: A cement kiln having a tire injection system. The tire injection system comprises an entrance chute having an outer end portion protruding outwardly of a wall of the kiln and an inner end portion which protrudes into the kiln. The entrance chute further is disposed such that it is positioned tangentially to the kiln wall. The entrance chute includes a gate assembly having a cam follower assembly and a pivotally mounted gate member. The cam follower assembly causes the gate member to be urged pivotally between open and closed positions in response to movement of the cam follower assembly over a cylindrical camming wall positioned at a predetermined location relative to the kiln. When the cam follower assembly has caused the gate member to open, a plurality of tires or other items forming a source of supplemental fuel are injected into the entrance chute by one or more external tire injecting apparatuses synchronized in operation to rotation of the kiln.