Abstract: An apparatus for separating liquids and solids from a mixture thereof comprises a trough structure (12) in which is suspended a filter means (14) on which the mixture can be placed. A vacuum mechanism (16) draws a vacuum beneath the filter means to draw the liquids downwardly from the solids, and a oscillating mechanism (20) causes the remaining solids on the filter to move in a conveying direction. A flexible perforated sheet (60) is provided beneath and in generally continuous contact with the filter means (14) and which can be intermittently flexed to maintain the filter means unobstructed by solids.