Abstract: A pecan processing method and system is disclosed that increases the efficiency of pecan processing. In particular, pecan parts that fall beneath the cracker, secondary cracker product, are conveyed to an air separation device which removes dust and shells for disposal, and the remaining portion of the secondary cracker product is conveyed to width separation devices. In a second aspect, a largest width range of the cracker product after width separation is shelled by parallel, rubber-coated cylinders and then thickness separated into uncracked nuts and substantially whole cracked nuts. The uncracked nuts and the substantially whole cracked nuts are then separated, and only the uncracked nuts are returned to the cracker. The substantially whole cracked nuts are returned to the width separation device.

Abstract: A pecan processing method and system is described that increases the efficiency of pecan processing. In particular, pecan parts that fall beneath the cracker, secondary cracker product, are conveyed to an air separation device which removes dust and shells for disposal, and the remaining portion of the secondary cracker product is conveyed to width separation devices. In a second aspect, a largest width range of the cracker product after width separation is shelled by parallel, rubber-coated cylinders and then thickness separated into uncracked nuts and substantially whole cracked nuts. The uncracked nuts and the substantially whole cracked nuts are then separated, and only the uncracked nuts are returned to the cracker. The substantially whole cracked nuts are returned to the width separation device.