Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for de-wiring bales tied by metal wires. The method includes moving the bales along a conveyor, stopping movement of the bales and clamping opposite sides of the bales between a pair of clamping units moving perpendicularly to the direction of the conveyor to clamp the opposite sides of the bales therebetween, cutting the metal wires on one side of the bales by means of a cutting tool forming part of one of the clamping units, seizing the metal wires on the other side of the bales and winding up the seized metal wires by means of a gripping and winding tool forming part of the other clamping unit, and discharging the wound-up metal wires from the gripping and winding tool.