A method and system for adjusting operation of a meat processing machine on the floor of a meat processing plant which is controlled by a PLC away from the machine. An operator at the meat processing machine is provided a digital display of pre-selected operating parameters related to the meat processing machine. The operator can adjust one or more of the pre-selected operation parameters on the display. The adjustments are communicated to the PLC, allowing real-time control of a remotely positioned PLC to minimize need of operator to have to physically walk between machine and the PLC in a remote room. In one form, the communications are via IP protocol between a web-server at the PLC and the portable digital display on a web-enabled tablet computer.

Presented is a rib paring device with a linear motion drive, that features a piston rod, that is flexibly guided in the rib paring device in a direction that is longitudinal to the stationary direction of the rib paring device, and that exercises a driving force on the piston rod in the stationary line of action of the rib paring device, the direction of which will change directions periodically, and with combination made up of a blade and a blade holder that features a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end of which is detachably connected with the piston rod and the distal end of which is detachably connected with the blade.

A rib saw is provided. The saw includes a saw blade, a first rail, a second rail, a sticker chain assembly, a plurality of actuators and a main controller. The first and second rails are configured to guide a shell bone to the saw blade. The sticker chain assembly is configured to move the shell bone along the first and second rails. The plurality of actuators are coupled to move the first and second rails in relation to each other. Moreover, the main controller is configured to control the plurality of actuators to dynamically move the first and second rails while the shell bone is being moved along the first and second rails to achieve a desired rib rack cut with the saw blade.

A carcass processing machine and carcass processing assemblies for processing sections of carcass having vertebrae in them, such as loin sections. The carcass processing machine includes an assembly for removing portions of meat from the ventral side of the vertebrae. This assembly has a knife with a cutting feature that varies in height. This assembly also has a rotating member for removing a portion of meat. The carcass processing machine includes an assembly for removing portions of meat from the dorsal side of the vertebrae. This assembly has a blade, which may be a plough blade, that cuts meat from the transverse processes and can moved by another blade that rides over the transverse processes near their bases. The plough blade has a blunt tip. This assembly can have another blade that is movable relative to the blade that rides over the transverse processes.