Abstract: The pulling over assembly (2, 39) and lasting assembly (13, 40) of a pulling over and lasting machine are capable of being moved apart to enable a pulling over operation to be effected on one shoe at a first station (I) while a lasting operation is being completed on a further shoe at a second station (II). In one embodiment the pulling over assembly (2) moves bodily to the second station (II) at which the lasting assembly (13) is arranged; in a second embodiment the lasting assembly (40) moves to the first station (I) at which the pulling over assembly (39) is arranged. Each assembly (2, 13; 39, 40) has a heel rest (5, 19; 41, 50), the heel rests being so arranged as to carry out without collision the function of holding the shoe against lengthwise displacement.

Abstract: In a hydraulically operated pulling over and toe lasting machine both the operative position of the heel support (26), i.e. in which it holds the shoe by engagement with its heel end, and the position from which it initially moves to engage the shoe (the "next start" position) are controlled by electronic circuitry. Thus, an inductance switch (118) is actuated when the heel pad (100) engages the heel end of the shoe, said switch causing the supply of fluid to be shut off and locking the heel support in its operative position. For setting the "next start" position, on the other hand, selector switches (122,124) are provided each of which has an associated timer (T1,T2). At the end of a lasting cycle the heel support (26) is first fully retracted and then moves to its "next start" position under the control of the timer associated with the selected switch.