Impeller, centrifugal cutting apparatus comprising same, and method of operating same

Impeller for a centrifugal cutting apparatus, provided for being coaxially mounted within an annular-shaped cutting head and to be rotated inside the cutting head about a rotational axis in a rotational direction, the impeller comprising:

• a base plate closing one axial end of the impeller,
• an annular cover plate at the opposite axial end of the impeller defining a central opening for admission of product to be cut into the impeller, and
• a plurality of circumferentially spaced paddles mounted between the base and cover plates, the paddles being oriented such that they have a first impelling surface directed towards the rotational direction and the circumference of the impeller, so as to drive the product that is admitted into the impeller forwards and outwards towards cutting elements mounted on the cutting head, the paddles having peripheral parts located at or near the circumference of the impeller,
• wherein the peripheral parts of the paddle elements are provided with replaceable, removably mounted wear parts which form a second impelling surface on the respective paddle.