PURPOSE: To eliminate loss time in carry-out working to enhance efficiency in an automated warehouse wherein traveling devices in plural stages in the up and down direction are provided with elevatable load transfer carriages, and a carry-out elevator device for receiving loads from respective stage traveling devices is provided at the side of home positions of respective stage traveling devices.

CONSTITUTION: In the case where a carry-out destination is within a rack zone B1 near to a carry-out elevator device 7, carry-out work traveling devices 2-4 are returned to home positions thereof while a load loading carriage 12 is being retained at a carry-out level. In the case where a carry-out destination is within rack zones B2, B3 far from the carry-out elevator device 7, the load loading carriage 12 is lowered to lower end positions L1, L6, L11 in a hoistway thereof or intermidiate set levels L3, L8, L13, carry-out work traveling devices 2-4 are returned to home positions thereof and carry-out work traveling devices 2-4 are returned to home positions thereof so as to transfer for carry-out a load on the carriage 12 to the carry-out elevator device 7.