Abstract: Improved apparatus is disclosed for increasing the output of a machine for removing fat from the inside of an animal pelt, such as a mink pelt. In such machines, pelts are mounted inside out on rotatable elongate mandrils, and a cutting head resembling a router trims the fat from the pelt. The improvement includes a control assembly attached to the cutting head for pivotal movement thereof to control the depth of cut. The control assembly has a flexible extension which permits the cutting head to move freely longitudinally along the mandril. The control assembly also has a toggle joint and a lever operably coupled thereto to reduce the effort of pivoting the cutting head. The depth of cut is therefore controlled with reduced effort using a lever in a fixed location on the machine. A reciprocating element controls the longitudinal position of the cutting head. The reciprocating element is operated by foot controlled drive means including a motor driven reversing clutch.