Status: USED
The BAADER 444 is a highly regarded, industrial-grade heading and gutting machine designed specifically for whitefish (such as Cod, Saithe/Pollock, Haddock) and Yellowtail.
What makes it unique in the seafood processing industry is its revolving system and its high degree of flexibility, making it a staple for both onshore processing facilities and onboard vessel operations.
The Processing Steps
The BAADER 444 uses a unique revolving drum technique. The process is streamlined to maximize yield and preserve meat quality:
1.Infeed: Operator placement.
The operator pushes the fish into the machine’s drum holding unit belly-down (or back forward depending on the setup) without needing to lift it high. Mechanical clamps instantly secure the fish.
2.Bleeding & Throat Cuts: Precision knife alignment.
A controlled throat/bleeding cut is executed automatically. The blades push incredibly close to the collarbone without nicking or cutting it, which preserves maximum weight.
3.The Head Cut (Optional): Preserving the collarbone.
If heading is enabled, a precise, symmetrical cut removes the head. Crucially, the collarbone is left entirely intact on the trunk, which is the gold standard required for high-quality saltfish and stockfish production.
4.Belly Splitting & Evisceration: Clean viscera removal.
A self-serving sickle blade smoothly opens the abdominal cavity with a symmetrical belly cut. The gutting tools sweep out the viscera package cleanly to avoid punctures that could taint the meat.
5.Separate Discharge: Hygiene control.
To prevent cross-contamination, the machine spits out the finished trunks, heads, and guts down separate chutes or conveyor lines.
Core Specifications & Variants
The machine is modular and scales depending on the size of the fish you are running through your line.
| Model Variant | Fish Length Range | Fish Weight Range | Throughput Speed |
| BAADER 444 S (Small) | 40 – 75 cm | 0.5 – 3.0 kg | 15 – 35 fish / min |
| BAADER 444 (Standard) | 50 – 90 cm | 1.0 – 7.0 kg | 15 – 32 fish / min |
| BAADER 444 Yellowtail | 50 – 90 cm | 3.5 – 9.0 kg | 15 – 25 fish / min |
| BAADER 444 L (Large) | 75 – 105 cm | 3.5 – 11.0 kg | 15 – 22 fish / min |
Utility Requirements & Footprint:
- Labor: 1 operator
- Power Consumption: ~5.25 kW to 6.2 kW (depending on the exact electrical grid configuration, e.g., 440V / 60Hz)
- Water Consumption: 10 to 32 liters per minute (approx. 25L/min average)
- Machine Weight: ~1,500 kg (3,300 lbs)
- Dimensions: Roughly 2.0m x 1.5m x 1.5m (L x W x H)
Key Advantages over Older Systems
- The «Head-On» Option: You can completely toggle the heading tool off. If your current market or client demands gutted fish with the head left on, the machine handles it without requiring a line layout change.
- No Pre-Bleeding Required: Due to the specialized geometry of the heading technique, it can process round (unbled) fish straight out of the net, as well as pre-bled or throat-cut fish.
- Ergonomics & Safety: Because of the revolving drum, operators don’t have to lift heavy fish and feed them awkwardly through a straight-line conveyor. They simply slide the fish forward into the open tray, reducing repetitive strain injuries.
- Open, Hygienic Construction: Older generations of fish machinery are notoriously difficult to sanitize. The 444 features an open stainless-steel frame and easily removable fish clamps, allowing washdown crews to quickly blast away debris and bacteria.