Devices for removing brussels sprouts from their stalks

A device for removing attached parts from the stalk of a plant moving downstream along a feedpath and, in particular, a Brussel sprout plant comprising, an annular member rotatably mounted concentrically of the feed path having a central opening therethrough through which the plant can pass, a plurality of cutting members pivotally mounted on said annular member in a plane perpendicular to the feed path each having a knife portion, a cutting edge on each of said knife portions each movable along a circular path concentric about the feed path, first drive means connected to said annular member for rotating said annular member and moving said cutting edges along the circular path, said knife portions with said cutting edges being urged radially inwardly toward the feed path through the action of said first drive means, opening means connected to said cutting member for moving said knife portions radially outwardly of the feed path and increasing the diameter of the circular path along which said cutting edges move, stalk pulling means having a pull member with a cylindrical outer surface against which said knife portions can bear, stalk holding means at a downstream end of said pull member for holding a stalk, and pull member drive means connected to said pulling means for moving said pull member to a first upstream position with said cylindrical surface between said knife portions after said opening means have been actuated to move said knife portions radially outwardly and to a second downstream position downstream of said annular member.