Loin puller machine with improved caterpillar drive assembly
A loin puller machine includes a frame with the conveyor mounted on the frame for carrying loin carcasses past a series of cutting blades. A caterpillar drive assembly is mounted on the frame adjacent the conveyor to engage the carcass for movement past the blades. The caterpillar drive assembly includes a pair of sprockets and a chain trained about the sprockets, and a hydraulic motor operatively connected to one of the sprockets so as to rotate the sprockets and chain. The motor is positioned below the sprockets and chains to preclude accidental dripping of hydraulic fluid onto the sprockets, chain, or loin carcass.
1 . A loin puller machine, comprising:
a frame;
a conveyor on the frame for carrying a loin carcass;
a track drive assembly mounted on the frame at an elevation higher than the conveyor and having sprockets and a chain trained about the sprockets to engage the loin carcass on the conveyor; and
a hydraulic motor operatively connected to the track drive assembly to rotate the sprockets and chain, and being positioned below the track drive assembly.
2 . The loin puller machine of claim 1 wherein the hydraulic motor is lower than the sprockets.
3 . The loin puller machine of claim 1 wherein the hydraulic motor is beneath the chain.
4 . The loin puller machine of claim 1 wherein the hydraulic motor is spaced laterally apart from the conveyor.
5 . A track drive assembly for a loin puller machine having a conveyor for transporting carcasses from an inlet end to an outlet end, the track assembly comprising:
first and second sprockets adjacent the conveyor;
a chain extending around the sprockets to engage the carcass;
a motor drivingly connected to the first sprocket to rotate the first sprocket and thereby drive the chain around the first and second sprockets; and
the motor being mounted beneath the first sprocket to preclude contamination of the track drive assembly in the event of a motor failure.
6 . The track drive assembly of claim 5 wherein the motor is a hydraulic motor.
7 . The track drive assembly of claim 5 wherein the motor is below the chain.
8 . The track drive assembly of claim 5 wherein the motor is laterally offset from the conveyor.
9 . The track drive assembly of claim 5 further comprising a bracket to support the sprockets and motor.
10 . The track drive assembly of claim 9 wherein the sprockets and motor are slidably mounted on the bracket.
11 . The track assembly of claim 10 further comprising an actuator to slide the sprockets and motor into engagement with the carcass on the conveyor.
12 . A method of conveying a carcass for cutting by a knife on a loin puller machine, comprising:
positioning the carcass on a horizontal conveyor assembly;
actuating the conveyor assembly to move the carcass past the knife;
engaging the carcass laterally with a chain assembly as the carcass is moved past the knife; and
rotating the chain assembly with a motor positioned beneath the chain assembly.
13 . The method of claim 12 wherein the motor is a hydraulic motor.
14 . The method of claim 12 further comprising moving the chain assembly and motor laterally into engagement with the carcass before the carcass engages the knife.
15 . The method of claim 13 further comprising moving the chain assembly and motor laterally out of engagement with the carcass after the carcass is cut by the knife.
16 . The method of claim 12 further comprising directing any fluid from the motor away for the chain assembly in the event of failure of the motor.
17 . The method of claim 12 wherein fluid from a motor failure flows by gravity away from the chain assembly.