Abstract: An apparatus for the production of tire sectors from used tires wherein the tire sectors remain interconnected in the area of the tire tread. The apparatus comprises a support with at least a portion inserted within the inner section of the tire and the support has at least two spaced apart and arc-shaped abutments for supporting the tire sidewalls. At least one knife for cutting the sidewalls of the tire without cutting the tread, wherein the abutments have multiple passageways to allow the knife to move through the abutments during a cutting operation when the knife moves from a mid position to an end position. The apparatus can include punching dies for punching openings into the tire sidewalls.