Abstract: An apparatus for positioning poultry, meat, or fish product pieces on a conveyor and a system and method which utilize the inventive apparatus. The inventive apparatus comprises an array of side-by-side upwardly arched product channels and a plurality of catch members mounted for rotating through the product channels such that they lift and pull the product pieces through the upwardly arched product channels and then release the product pieces onto the conveyor.

Abstract: The invention is a method and apparatus for improving the yield value of leg processing machines by increasing the amount of skin and flesh removed with the back portion. The leg processing method and apparatus of the present invention improves processing of the poultry back half or saddle portion of the carcass. The present invention generates a yield value increase for whole legs or back-out. The present invention is an apparatus which includes a combination of a hold down bar, guide members, blades, and plowing members which effect a yield value increase for the whole leg by increasing the amount of flesh and skin removed from the back portion and left attached to the upper thigh portion of the whole leg.