Abstract: Apparatus cyclically severs a cap from one end of an oil filter canister and permits separation of the components of the filter and crushing of those components. A front plate extends vertically upwardly from a table top and supports the canister whose axis is horizontal. A plurality of rotatable wheel cutters move radially into contact with the outer periphery of the canister to support the canister, captured behind the cutter wheels. A vertical back plate moves horizontally across the table top and supports a rotatable block carrying sharp horizontally projecting impaling pins which penetrate the bottom of the canister. A rotary air wrench drives the rotary block causing severance of the cap. During movement of the back plate rearwardly, the canister is separated from the cap, and from the internal hollow filter element captured by a filter element gripper mechanism. The gripper mechanism is axially retractable thereby releasing the filter element.