Extruder screw handling device

An extruder screw handling device for extracting and/or inserting at least one extruder screw of a food or land-or-sea-animal-feed extruder, said device being suitable for fully extracting the extruder screw from a barrel of the extruder and/or for fully inserting the extruder screw into a barrel of the extruder, in which the barrel of the extruder screw rotates when the extruder is operating to extrude food or animal-feed product, wherein said device comprises:

• a locking screw assembly that is configured so as to be securely and releasably attachable to an end section of the extruder screw;
• and,
• actuating means for moving the locking screw assembly away from the extruder, whereby, when the device is in operation to extract the extruder screw, moving the extruder screw, when securely attached to the locking screw assembly, out of its extruder barrel;
• wherein the device further comprises:
• a horizontally-arranged top section, which is at least half as long as the extruder screw that is to be extracted;
• a plurality of wheels;
• a support structure which supports the top section and which is supported on a ground by the plurality of wheels;
• a guiding element which is mounted on and towards one end of said top section, said guiding element having an opening through which the extruder screw can be moved during extraction;
• and
• a guide means which are mounted on the top section and which guide motion of the locking screw assembly, which is movably connected to said guide means,
• wherein the locking screw assembly comprises a central opening for secure and releasable attachment of the extruder screw,
• wherein the actuating means are mounted on an outer surface of the locking screw assembly,
• whereby the extruder screw handling device is further suitable:
• for transporting the extruder screw after extraction from the extruder;
• and
• for enabling access to the extruder screw to carry out maintenance and/or cleaning tasks.