An optical sorting or classifying machine for sorting or classifying product, comprising a housing (3) which includes an internal region (19), a chute (5) which has a guide surface (29) and is supported by the housing (3), an illumination unit (7a-d) for illuminating product as delivered on and/or from the chute (5), and at least one detector (9a, b) for detecting product as delivered on and/or from the chute (5); characterized in that the chute (5) is pivotably coupled to the housing (3) about a first pivot (31) between a first, operative configuration, in which the chute (19) extends across the internal region (19) and prevents access or entry into the internal region (19) by an operator, and a second, stowed configuration, in which an operator can access or enter the internal region (19).