Abstract: Loading apparatus having vehicle body, inclined conveyor assembly extending upwardly and rearwardly from front of vehicle body, and hopper adjacent front of vehicle to direct material onto conveyor. Apparatus has extendable excavating assembly including a guide mounting a carrier which carries a hoeing assembly. The guide is mounted on vehicle body, and the carrier means cooperates with the guide for movement parallel to movement of conveyor when viewed from above. The hoeing assembly is carried on carrier means to be generally adjacent the hopper to draw material onto hopper for feeding onto conveyor. Carrier and guide can be carriage mounted on rails, or telescoping ram arrangement to provide extendable mount for hoeing assembly which increases reach thereof without requiring excessively long arms, and also facilitates operation of hoeing assembly for drawing material onto the hopper. Operator is positioned at front of vehicle for good visibility during operation of hoeing assembly.