The removal roll carrier can be inclined at an angle while the carrier is simultaneously moved vertically and while the removal apparatus moves over the line of fiber bales. This has the advantage that flocks can be removed from the bales not only in the horizontal direction but also in an inclined direction. A microprocessor controls the pivoting of the removal apparatus into a predetermined inclined position while simultaneously moving the removal apparatus vertically during movement of the machine frame along the path of the fiber bales.