A machine for separating a load (C) made up of several superimposed layers of packages (B) and supported by a pallet (P), includes: a base element (3) connected to a housing element (5) that also includes a base member (7) that meets the face of the pallet opposite to the load; a slide wall member (9) in sliding contact with a face of the load, a side wall member (11), and a compacting plane member (13) slidably operated along the side wall member towards and away from the base member. A tilt actuator (15) interconnected between the base element and the housing element is assigned to rotate the housing element around a pivot pin (14) between a first extreme condition wherein the slide wall member is vertical and a second extreme condition wherein the housing member is rotated by an angle of approximately 90 or greater.