Abstract: A wing remover (10) for removing the wings from birds as the birds are conveyed along an overhead conveyor line (13) includes wing guides (66 and 67) that engage the birds and cause the shoulder joints between the wings and shoulders of the birds to be opened as the birds are moved towards a cutting station (29). As the birds enter the cutting station (29), they are engaged by a set of first cutting blades (80 and 81) that cut into the shoulder joints of the birds to initiate the separation of the wings therefrom. As the birds are carried further forwardly through the wing remover (10), the wings are urged rearwardly and downwardly as the shoulder joints are carried into engagement with and cut by second cutting blades (95 and 96) to complete the separation of the wings from the birds.

Abstract: Previously eviscerated poultry carcasses are moved in series along a conveyor (26), mounted upon a series of mandrels (33). As the poultry carcasses are moved along their processing path and are mounted on their mandrels (33), the carcasses are automatically engaged by a clamp tool (77) that clamps the poultry carcasses against their mandrels (33) in tight locking engagement to hold the poultry carcasses on their mandrels (33). A series of processing stations (42-50) engage and remove the wings, skin and progressively separate the meat from the skeletal structures of the poultry carcasses as said poultry carcasses are moved along their processing path (27) by the conveyor (26).