The bag unloader is used for splitting and emptying of single or multiple layer bags made from paper, polyethylene, polyethylene-lined paper, interwoven plastic, or polyethylene-lined interwoven plastic. The bags are loaded manually or via belt conveyor into the inlet which is covered by a dust collecting hood. The bags drop from the belt on an extra-heavy-duty shaftless screw. Thin bags will burst open just through the impact. Bags with multiple layers or those made of elastic plastic material are pulled in by the slowly turning screw and ripped open through a scissor effect between screw and trough. This effect is increased due to a replaceable panel with integrated cutters applied to the inside of the trough. As it cuts them open the screw conveys the broken bags and their content into the revolving screen. Interwoven plastic bags are cut open by a multiple cutting disc kit mounted on top of the inlet port. The bag contents fall through the screen mesh into a collecting device mounted on the outlet of the machine. Through rotation and a slight vibration of the screen, the bags are completely emptied. Paddles applied inside the screen drum repeatedly lift up the empty bags. In this manner the bags are liberated from remaining material. The inclination of the paddles helps the bags move towards the screen outlet where they drop into the bag compactor.