Abstract: A poultry skinner includes conveyors to engage the upper and lower surfaces of a poultry product. A rotatably mounted gripper engages the lower surface of the poultry. A pinch block with an arcuate surface is mounted in closely spaced relationship to the gripper fins for trapping the poultry product skin. The upper conveyor belt extends around laterally-oriented guides that mount in frame members at the sides of the food product path, and springs bias the belt outwardly to press the food product against the gripper and to take up slack in the belt by vertical movement of the ends of the guides. The gripper and the pinch block mount, with an adjusting mechanism, to end supports so the components may be removed as a unit and the position of the pinch block relative to the gripper may be adjusted.