Abstract: An automatic loading apparatus that enables two workers to load crabs into a crab picking machine comprises a carriage mounted on guide rails for movement transversely on the conveyor above the loading station. Two crab holders are mounted in laterally spaced apart relation on the carriage, each holder being capable of receiving and holding a crab for placement from above onto a tray and of releasing the crab after it has been placed on the tray. Each crab holder is mounted on the carriage for movement between a loading position spaced apart above the tray and a releasing position in which the crab held by the holder is placed on the tray for release onto the tray. A transverse drive device moves the carriage along the rails to position the two crab holder back and forth alternately above the path of the trays in timed relation to the arrival of each tray at the loading station.

Abstract: A crab picking machine comprises a two-part tray that receives a crab carapace up and head end forward with approximately each lengthwise half of the crab supported on each tray part. The tray is conveyed through three main work stations where the claws and carapace are removed, the crab is cut in approximately half lengthwise and from top to bottom and the meat is squeezed out through the open cut of each crab half by a roll.