Anyone want to guess what this contraption is?

Anyone recognize this contraption or want to take a guess on what it is, and what these guys are doing?



(hint - it was out at the orchard. It was really cool to see it in action - like some sort of steam punk apple machine)

I have an idea, but from this angle I can't tell if the guys are wearing their pants or not so I can't say for sure...

My guess is "fruit press".

lol @ chshrecat. My guess is that it peels and cores apples. gallon of your cider to the winner kevin?

It would be easier if I could see the business end.

Wow - that was quick - yep, it peels and cores apples. It was crazy to see in action. These guys put an apple on a little cup that holds it. The weight of the apple makes the holder drop down and kick off a whole series of gears that swings the apple up next to a knife, spins it around to peel it, chunks the core out, and drops it into a chute. They are are going to use the apples for apple butter for a church fundraiser. They went through about 20 bushels in no time flat.

Wow! I'd love to see some video of that thing in action.

I cheated, I've seen something like that some years ago. They are really cool in action.

it would have been guessed sooner or later...especially with that curly apple skin at the bottom of the image.


still...awesome machine!

Darn, somebody already got it. I was going to guess one of those mechanical calculators they used to crack the German codes in WWII... I think they discovered the key code was "apfelwein"

That is one cool looking machine, don't know if it could crack enigma, but thanks for sharing that.