Method and apparatus for peeling crawfish

摘要

A method and apparatus for peeling crawfish or crayfish includes a machine frame that supports a peeling mechanism, preferably in the form of a pair of rollers rotatably mounted to the frame in a position that receives crawfish one at a time from a conveyor. The conveyor transports the crawfish to be peeled, the conveyor having first and second end portions. In the preferred embodiment, the conveyor includes multiple conveyor belts, at least two of which are positioned one above the other below the crawfish for sandwiching the crawfish therebetween to support them during use. The conveyor in combination with an alignment member straightens the tail portion of the crawfish and delivers the crawfish to the peeling mechanism. The alignment member can include an inclined plate or ramp that gradually extends the tail of the crawfish as the conveyor transports the crawfish toward the peeling mechanism.