Abstract: A grading apparatus, especially for delicate material such as fish. The apparatus consists of a feeding device, ridged belts, rail guides for the transport and grading of material, grading compartments, a driving device and adjustment mechanism. The material to be graded is fed to the feeding device and therefrom onto the ridged belts, which transport it and grade it by thickness into the appropriate grading compartments. The apparatus is unique in that the feed device (4) consists of one or more interconnected and adjustable stages (4a, 4b, 4c). Each stage is equipped with side panels (67) or/and turning pins (55), side panels (67) dividing each stage into one or more channels (70) through which the objects are transported to thereby control the flow direction (77) and the velocity of the objects at each stage and onto the ridged belts (3).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and equipment for grading by thickness sensitive objects (particularly fish), large and small, involving gentle treatment of the objects, using ridge belts which are drawn by a drive along guides which are wider at the output end than at the intake end and covey the material gently without vibration or rubbing, together with infeed equipment.