Abstract: The plant for semiautomatic treatment of quarters of meat of cattle or other quadrupeds comprises an overhead rail arrangement (1) at constant height forming a closed loop, a plurality of suspending arms (6) suspended at regular intervals along the overhead rail (1), means for continuously driving the set of the arms along the said closed overhead rail loop (1), a plurality of stationary treatment stations (8) arranged along at least one part of the closed loop and outside the latter, each station (8) comprising a platform (9) equipped with means for automatic vertical movement with manual control, a conveyor belt system (10, 11) arranged under the path of the arms (6) in order to receive the muscles removed at various treatment stations (8), and an automatic transfer and loading device (18) equipped with a grasping member capable of performing a telescopic movement followed by a rotary movement in order to move a quarter initially hanging from a rail (17 ) as far as a suspending arm (6) situated in a region

Abstract: A moving frame (10) comprises a clamping means (25) and a tensioning bar (33) provided with grippers (35) and mounting on a rotary plate (29). By means of a jack (43), it is possible to vary the distance between the members (11 and 12), and to stretch the half-carcass (1). After the half carcass (1) has been gripped in a vertical position, the moving frame (10) is placed in a horizontal position by the action of the pinion (47) cooperating with the sector gear (46). In this position, the muscles are successively cut off from the carcass and the skeleton remains held in the moving frame (10).