Abstract: An automatic high shelf storage apparatus especially adapted for storing and transporting heavy metal rods, pipes and sections which are placed into cassettes formed as a sled with runners which slide along longitudinal slideways within blocks of storage racks and which are adapted to be drawn out lifted and lowered as well as being thrust transversely by a draw out device, by lifting and elevation mechanisms, entrainment means and chain means. The extractor portion of the mechanism which extracts the cassette from the rack to push one of them into the slideway has limited rotational movement with respect to the elevator mechanism. The shape dimensions and construction of the cassette are such that the end cross bars of the cassette are grasped by an entrainment device from a conveying entrainment carriage so as to hook the cross bar from below and to move the cassette into the slideway from the rack or onto the rack from the slideway.