PURPOSE: To ensure proper claw engagement with a storage case or the like by fitting a long claw in a carriage travel direction to the tip of a finger laid below a rail and capable of engagement with and disengagement from the storage case or the like via turning motion.
CONSTITUTION: When a travel carriage 1 stops at the position of a storage case 21, a lift device 6 is driven and a transfer device 5 is thereby lowered to a level corresponding to the height of the case 21. Then, the motor of the transfer device 5 is driven and a finger 16L turns to the position of a chain line in an arrow direction to keep an approximately level posture. A finger 16R turns as well to the position of the chain line to keep an approximately level posture via interlocked motion with the finger 16L and a rod 20. As a result, the claw 19R of the finger 16R engages with a guide bar 23 at the end of the through-rack 22 of the storage case 21. Then, a conveyor 9 is driven for shifting an article W in a blank arrow direction and the article W is thereby loaded onto the roller 25 of the through-rack 22.