The Meyn tail feather puller removes most of the long tail feathers from the tails. Removing the tail feathers with a dedicated plucker makes the plucking process more effective as the main pluckers can be set to work in other areas of the carcass in a more gentle process. The tail feather puller consists of two rollers that are mounted close together. The position of the rollers is set in such a way that the tail feathers are caught in between the rollers, effectively pulling the feathers from the tail.

New developments

The design of the tail feather puller has been significantly improved:

• Improved bearing construction for the pulling rollers.
• This new design significantly improves the lifetime of the bearings compared to the old design (less maintenance).
• Improved cleanability and maintainability because of the new hinge construction to rotate the module off-line.
• The height and the distance to the product can easily be adjusted during production to compensate for different size products.
• An open construction to prevent accumulating feathers.
• Adjustable product guides to support size variations.
• Improved in-feed flights on the rollers, to prevent the thighs from being damaged.
• Improved machine design for maintenance (grease nipples and better access to components).
• A stand alone supporting frame.

The pulling mechanism consists of two stainless steel rollers, placed above each other and rotating in opposite direction. The tail feathers are guided into the machine, between the rotating rollers. The rollers are provided with a profile, which pulls the tail feathers between the two rollers and out off the feather follicle. A guide above the rollers protects the thighs of the birds from being damaged. The machine is provided with a water spray system for draining dirt and feathers.

• Improved design to reduce maintenance
• Hinging frame to rotate the module off-line
• Height and the distance to the products easy to adjust
• An open construction to prevent accumulating feathers