Abstract: An inserter hopper device for handling a pile of inserts includes a framework, a belly plate that is connected to the framework, a carry-down cam assembly including a plurality of carry-down cams on a rotatable carry-down cam shaft having a fixed location relative to the framework and a carry-down roller assembly including a plurality of carry-down rollers on a rotatable carry-down roller shaft having a movable location relative to the framework. The carry-down rollers are opposed to and spaced from the carry-down cams, providing a nip having a nip distance therebetween. At least one biasing element biases the carry-down roller shaft toward the nip. The inserts are moved through the nip individually. A thickness tuning adjustment assembly moves the carry-down roller assembly to adjust the nip distance. A vacuum assembly is in communication with a movable sucker assembly that has sucker ports being movable toward and away from the nip.