Abstract: Apparatus for removing samples from a stream of materials and for producing analytical samples therefrom comprising conveying a stream of granular material on a conveyor and discharging the material from the end of the conveyor through a hopper located in the path of the stream. The hopper occupies only a small portion of the width of the stream and the hopper is fixed to a plate which undergoes horizontal reciprocating motion transversely across the stream to vary the location at which the material enters the hopper. The height of the inlet of the hopper is at least as great as the thickness of the stream. The material separated by the hopper is conveyed through a chute to a crushing stage wherefrom an analytical sample of the desired size is obtained.