Abstract: A pallet loading apparatus wherein an article is held by a holding device that can move freely vertically and horizontally at the article line-up position. The article is then moved and lowered onto articles on a pallet at the pallet loading position. The holding device is provided at the lower sections on its both sides with a plurality of scooping fork members, each of which has a supporting section that is supported on a shaft in such a manner that it can be opened and closed and is horizontal when it is closed. The supporting sections of the scooping fork members are provided at one or more positions of each section with joint sections and the end section of the joint sections is formed so as to bend only upwards.