The tire industry in the US has change to what some would call good and others - bad. One of the bad is the well known companies such as Discount tire and so on all are faced with the liability clause that has struck the US for good reason years ago. Like they will not mount a near new tire on a rim if its over seven years old, even its a new but old spare that never saw the road.
Tire injuries 20 years ago and longer were very common in the industry without much in the way of guidelines for the worker, almost like - if it works good, if not oh well attitude, so the tire cages started to disappear along with other equipment from the 40s and 70s and on. I know this as when I was a kid I use to hang out with my friend at his dad's tire shop and remember in a span of maybe one summer three injures and very loud bangs. Technology and equipment has changed along with the older generation retiring and the old ways fading away as the time cycle move on, such as the split rims dynasty.
Being all that said the, Ag community's relies on tire companies that can work with split rims for tractors and such, one I know of is Les Swab tire centers. So all is not lost.
The best part is that you yourself can change tires on a split rim with some common sense approach. To start there is a good posting on how to brake down a split rim and install a tire on the Mud site, second have the right tools and upmost safety in mind and you will be done. Once mounted and aired using a safety chain or two (I use two) then take them to a shop to have balanced, that's it.
I love splits and have a few of my own and if I had the cash I would be buying these.
