The defoliating machine, especially for defoliating of vines, has an intake passage (3) on the suction side, the slot-form intake opening (7) of which is delimited by at least two transporting rollers (8,9) which are rotationally driven in opposite directions and which convey the foliage into the intake passage. The suction fan (2) is located inside the suction passage or at the free end of the suction passage, and the leaves are conveyed through the suction passage and the suction fan.