An apparatus for cutting a whole tire into strips may include a cutting device having a first rotary blade and a second rotary blade. The tire is positioned between the first rotary blade and the second rotary blade, which cut the tire into one or more strips. The apparatus may further include a positioning system operable to orient the tire between a plurality of vertical, horizontal, and intermediate positions, relative to the cutting device. The apparatus may include one or more support rollers. The apparatus may further include a control system that controls the operation of the cutting device and tire positioning system as the tire is cut into strips by the cutting device. The apparatus may include a chipper to cut the tire strips into chips. The apparatus may include a bead peeler to remove the exterior rubber sheath from the wire bead.