After stunning of the animal, bleeding and complete dressing is carried out speedily on overhead rail. This is called as line dressing or rail dressing systems. Line method of dressing is essential for high rate of production. This is achieved by combination of several machines, tools and equipments to reduce cost Line dressing is useful for buffalo/cattle, sheep and goat, pig and poultry. Without the line method of slaughter, it would not be possible to reach the production level achieved in a modern meat plant which may be as high as 5000 cattle/buffalo or 10000 sheep/goat every 10 hours.
Advantages of rail slaughter system
This system is safer to operators than conventional system
This is hygienic method as carcasses do not touch the floor
It is easy to handle mechanical heavy tools on conveyors/rail
It saves space and reduces unnecessary movement of the carcass movements
It enhances the value of hide/skin and organs as the overhead line removes the hurdles of floor dressing
It systematically synchronizes inspection of carcasses and organs with their identification
It increases the throughput i.e., slaughter rate as there is no chance of idleness for workers.
Disadvantages of rail slaughter system
The rail system requires high engineering skill and any dislocation on the line will totally stop the production. Absence of particular skilled worker may adversely affect the production.
The repetitive nature of work leads to loss of job interest.
Meat inspection is sometimes said to be more difficult and possibly less efficient as the carcasses and their respective viscera follow different ways and require marking to match at the time of conclusion.
It requires a large capital investment
The line dressing system has been classified into four categories on the basis of mode of operation.
(i) Gravity rail system: Here the movement of spreader and single wheel trolley or runner is under the influence of gravitational force. The carcass is gravitated to each station and manually stopped at each station for operation.
Advantages
- Simplest in design, so less chances of serious breakdown with consequent loss of production.
- Various items of equipment may be used with the gravity rail, e.g., a moving top viscera inspection table or a paunch truck.
Disadvantages
Low slaughter rate i.e., 10 to 40 beef/hour
Adequate ceiling height is necessary because of pitch of the rail to gravitate carcass.
(ii) Intermittent powered system: Here the suspended carcasses on spreader (gambrel) and trolley are moved along a level rail at interval by mechanical means of variable timing device which can be preset to suit the slaughter rate.
Advantages
- Faster slaughter rate (10 to 75 beef/hour) as compared to gravity rail system
- Leveled rail and therefore height of ceiling is not a major problem.
Disadvantage
- The timing as per slaughter rate is to be fixed previously.
(iiii) Continuous powered system: Here the movement of carcass is by mechanical means but continuous.
Advantages
- A much higher slaughter rate i.e., 40 to 120 beef/hour.
- The carcass can be revolved a fu11 360 degrees as per convenience of the worker.
- Efficiency of worker is increased.
Disadvantage
Same as those discussed for line dressing system.
(iv) Can pak System: This system is a continuous conveyorised method in which the carcasses are spread by trolley or runner from the overhead rail and no spreader or gambrel is used. This system has been developed by Canada Packers Limited, Toronto, Canada. Probably this is the most common system used in large modern plant.
Advantage
A very higher rate of slaughter i.e., 50-150 beefs/hour
Disadvantage
Same as those discussed for live dressing system
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