Abstract: A high production nutcracking apparatus having a hood pivotally mounted to the machine frame to protectively cover the operating components, and so that the hood is pivotable between a closed position and a raised or open position which gives the operator of the machine access to the interior components. The hood is raised by a computer controlled pneumatic cylinder which is programmed to protect the operator from the risk of the hood falling from the raised or open position to the closed position.

Abstract: An apparatus for successively delivering nuts from a hopper to a high production nutcracker. An endless conveyor extends through the hopper and includes a plurality of nut transport elements which pick up the nuts in a receptacle formed in the upper surface of each element. To insure that only one nut is received in each receptacle, each element is provided with a longitudinal slot in one of the sides of the element which communicates with the receptacle, and a pivotally mounted singulating arm extends into the slots of the advancing elements to eject any excess nuts from each receptacle. To accommodate nuts of different average size, the pivotal position of the singulating arm is adjustable by means of an actuating wheel positioned on the outside of the hopper.