Abstract: A poultry hock cutter apparatus for separating the shanks from the drumsticks of a poultry carcass at the hocks includes a stationary blade 44 for applying a progressive wedging action into the centers of the hocks from above and behind the hocks of each carcass as the carcass is moved past the blade to force the heads out of the sockets and expose the connective tissue, and for severing the connective tissue. A method of separating the shanks from the drumsticks of a poultry carcass at the hocks includes applying a progressive wedging action by an upstream segment 48 of the stationary blade 44 at the centers of the hocks of each carcass as the carcass is moved past the blade to sever the skin coverings of the hocks and to force the heads out of the sockets, and severing the connective tissue of the hocks to separate the shanks from the legs.

Abstract: A machine including a bone press cylinder with a rod member for axial displacement of the main bone of a fowl part. Stripping blades are driven by blade cylinders into lateral engagement with the fowl part bone. A shear blade severs remaining tendons and ligaments from the dislodged bone. Bone guides confine the part bone for axial passage past the stripping blades and shear blade. The bone press cylinder rod member carries a cam equipped plate the cams of which actuate, in sequence, the various powered blades of the machine. The stripping blades, shear blade and bone guides are all mounted on a detachable member of the machine to permit convenient removal for cleaning and maintenance purposes.