An end plate assembly for use in tobacco sorting apparatus having a conveyor having a forward end and a sensing system mounted above the forward end of said conveyor. The end plate is spaced below the sensing system in operative position adjacent the forward end of the conveyor and is mounted at the lower end of a pair of arm members. The arms are pivotally mounted to the conveyor frame to permit the plate to swing away from the forward end of the conveyor. Spring means biases at least one of the arm members toward the forward end of the conveyor to maintain the end plate in operative position.