PURPOSE: To improve a work efficiency, by placing a fuel rod storage to store standard fuel rods and also fuel rods which require re-inspection, and by providing a returning conveyor line for fuel rods to be returned to the above-mentioned fuel rod storage.

CONSTITUTION: A fuel rod storage 21, storing standard fuel rods and fuel rods which require re-inspection, is placed above a return feeder 7. A return conveyor line 20, which is similar to a conveyor line 4 going far to an outer end of a return feeder 7, is provided at an outer end of a returning take-out 8. When a fuel rod 6 is charged on a fuel rod feeder 2, the fuel rod rolls down along a surface of the feeder slope and finally the top most fuel rod is supported by a stopper 2a. Then, a moving member 12 is moved downwardly and the fuel rod is held by a V-shaped roller 9 on the way of the member's downward movement. In this way, the fuel rods are calibrated and re-inspected through a remote and automatic control, therewith a radiation exposure to workers can be diminished and a work efficiency can be improved.