How do they shell the peas in a factory for canning?

Question

Im serious, was just thinking surely people dont do this as a job?

Answer 1

The shelling is done in the field where the Peas are being harvested. They now have a very large harvester that cuts the peas along the ground separated the pea pods from the vine material, then the pods are kind of beaten to break them loose from their pods. The loose peas are them transferred to another truck for delivery to the processing plant.
At the plant most of the peas while already loose some still need further poding. --so as the peas cross certain screens the screens are made small enough that only peas can fit thru and the pods being too large go over the end and are separated from the cleaned peas.
Bottom line 99% of the peas are shelled by equipment. But there are a few human inspectors later in the operation who do pull out the pods that are missed. (those are thrown out - too costly to do by hand.)

Answer 2

It's all done with a machine that beats the h**l out of the pea pod and the peas drop loose and down into a separate belt system. I have been to a canning factory. Beleive me, if you could see how the make Ketchup, you would never use it.

Answer 3

http://www.toytractortimes.com/tttsubscribe/litrkjune2004.htm